The students participating in the Business Outreach & Placement Program (BOPP) had their last session of orientation today and were given their placements directions and supervisors’ names.
MC, Elmora Aventurin – Pantophlet, and Shermina Powell-Richardson, Head, Youth Section of the Social Cultural Development Department, provided opening words to the students, in conjunction with the main speakers—Commissioners Frans Richardson, Hyacinth Richardson, and Xavier Blackman.
Commissioner Frans Richardson congratulated the students who were selected for the BOPP program and the persons who over the years have done a wonderful job in putting this program together. To the students he said that the student work program gives you the opportunity to have some work experience that you could use in your future endeavors. Soon you will have the opportunity to go aboard and study, we would need you to return to St. Maarten to contribute. This program allows you the opportunity to do well. My doors are open to all of you, if you want to speak to me.
Today is a very important day, Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson concurred with the previous commissioner. It is important to work. Life without honor means nothing. This program is a great example of coming together and doing something for the students. In striving for achievement, the journey begins with your willingness to be open, to recognize and take hold of opportunity. You are our future doctor, lawyers, teachers, and civil servants.
Commissioner Xavier Blackman ended with another round of congratulations to the organizations of the program and to the students who went through the selection process and were chosen to participate in this valuable student internship program. You have the unique opportunity to be part of an historic moment of working in the government apparatus during the times of St. Maarten pursuing country status. I also want you to know that you are being watched, so do your best. Your efforts will not go unnoticed.
Ms. Aventurin-Pantophlet closed off the session with some words of wisdom. She said that you must do your best, you never know if the organization or department you are working with will hire you in the future, so it behooves you to do your best.
The Business Outreach & Placement Program was initiated in the summer 1998/1999. The main objective of the program is to provide students within the secondary education system who are 16 years and older and are in pre-exam or exam class as well as students in tertiary education with the opportunity to apply and be employed in Government Services or the Private sector for a period of six weeks during their summer vacation.