Forty-six youth graduated from the Mercy Wings Vocational Centre when it hosted its recent convocation ceremony.

Sister Julie Matthews presents the Mercy Award to Kevin Blackman.

In a press release the group said the Board of Directors of Mercy Wings, the Sisters of Mercy, the students and their relatives celebrated the achievement. Twenty-two students studied General Construction, 11, Catering and Home Manage-ment and 13, Child Care and Care of the Elderly.  The best students from each department were given prizes. Omar Azeez copped the prize in the first subject areas, Brittney Grant the second and Karis Gill, the third. The Mercy Award, given to the trainee who best exemplifies the characteristics of Jesus and of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy was given to Kevin Blackman.

In his address Aggrey Azore, senior probation and social services officer at the Human Services Ministry charged the graduates to develop the six pillars of character.

He advised them that to be successful in the working world they would have to be resilient, courageous and have a high self-esteem.

Former graduates, graduates and parents also reflected on the programme.

The trainees also displayed their talents in song, poetry, drumming and verse speaking.

Meanwhile, 16 parents who had completed the Parenting Programme sponsored by the Catholic Relief Services received certificates from representative Cheryl Sampson.

Chairman of the Board Patrick DeGroot, in his closing remarks encouraged the graduates to look at the graduation ceremony as a beginning of a new path.

He also urged them to continue to strive to be honest and hardworking.