Students in the Virgin Gorda community were encouraged to make use of their educational opportunities during a visit from the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Rosalie Adams for World Teachers Day, today, October 5. 

The visit also marked the beginning of the Deputy Governor’s official visits to the Sister Islands.

Mrs. Adams bid teachers a Happy World Teachers Day at the Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School and the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Primary and Secondary Divisions. She encouraged students to be extra kind and do a good deed for their teachers.

Both schools held special assemblies to welcome the Deputy Governor who shared her extraordinary childhood and career journey with them.

Mrs. Adams spoke on her adversity in life as a means of encouraging the students to become useful citizens in the community.  She shared the humble beginnings from which she came, walking barefoot from country to town to attend school, to now serving as the Deputy Governor of the Virgin Islands.  She encouraged students to always persevere, get their education and have an abiding faith in God.

The Deputy Governor spoke to the students on “Making the Sky Your Limit” and encouraged them to make the most of their education, as she reflected on her humble beginnings and having shattered the proverbial glass ceiling.

Mrs. Adams said, “Who could have imagined, that I would grow up to be the Deputy Governor and at times, the Acting Governor? So I am putting it to you, no matter what your circumstances are, you can grow up to be someone useful in the community.”

Mrs. Adams, in speaking to the Grade 12 students of the Bregado Flax Educational Centre said, “You can come from nothing to be something, and a lot of it is through your educational opportunities.”

The Deputy Governor stated that each person can determine to be a leader and make a valuable contribution to the Territory. She encouraged, “Make every use of the opportunities that are given to you; learn as much as you can.  Everybody would not be a Deputy Governor or an Acting Governor, but you can be leaders in the community in various fields.”

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe; Sister Island Coordinator, Mr. Vincent Wheatley and Virgin Gorda District Officer, Mr. Verne Wheatley accompanied the Deputy Governor during her official visit to Virgin Gorda.

Mrs. Adams has contributed many years of service to the Government of the Virgin Islands. Her long career in the public service began in 1968 where she taught at various public schools throughout the Territory until 1990. She then served as Guidance and Counseling Officer until 1993 and was transferred to the Department of Education and Culture where she served as an Education Officer from 1999 to 2004.  She also served as a lecturer at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.