BADORE HONOURS MOST OUTSTANDING PUPIL

L-R: Mrs Smith, Dr Njoku and Olabisi during the presentation

A new record was set in Junior Model College, Badore in Lagos State recently when Miss Odebiyi Olabisi, emerged the most responsible girl for the 2009/2010 session. It was a gold letter day for the 12-year -old student, as encomiums rained on her during the school's valedictory ceremony. Olabisi, who was among the 268 JS3 pupils that passed out from the school, beamed with smile as she collected a certificate of commendation from her Principal, Mrs Sidikat Titilayo Smith.

Also, Aruleba Olufemi, Nwanbiakea Mark and Okwuolisa Jeremiah bagged the most outstanding performance awards in academics, while 20 other pupils smiled home with letters of commendation for their individual contribution to the college.

The Principal, who was elated, said the school would continue to reward honesty, obedience, hardwork and diligence in studies.

She said the various awards were instituted to encourage excellence and healthy competition amongst pupils. She expressed satisfaction with the high moral standard of the pupils, and advised them not to lower the flag.

'Celebrating our pupils has become a yearly event and it is so because these students, just like their predecessors, are heroes and indeed worthy ambassadors of the school', she said.

While presenting the out-going pupils to their parents and other dignitaries at the event, Mrs Smith said they have been found worthy in learning and in character.

'We have trained and moulded them for the past three years and have found them worthy, befitting, honourable, capable and responsible ambassadors of the college. They are cultivated land and anything planted will yield good result', she vouched.

While explaining the teaching methodology that made a difference in the lives of the students, she said:

'The experience of the school is not different. The only difference is that the school's method and approach of tackling these challenges are different. If a child cannot learn the way we teach, maybe we need to teach him the way he can learn. And we also believe in not doing anything for a student that which he is capable of doing for himself. That would cripple him academically'.

While presenting her scorecard, Mrs Smith noted that the school has maintained an impressive academic record, winning many competitive awards and laurels at the district and state levels.

'We took the first position in poetry during the 2009 Jam Feast and also first and second position in the 2009 quiz competition organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology. We also swept both the first, second and third positions respectively in an essay competition organised by District 111 to mark 800 days of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) in office. We also clinched the first position in an essay competition organised for schools by WEGAS', she recounted.

Also speaking, the Assistant Secretary General, Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Dr Celine Njoku, extolled Olabisi for emerging as the most responsible girl and urged other students to follow in her footsteps.

She decried the irresponsible behaviours of most youths in the society and advised the young ones to desist from acts that would dent their reputation as future leaders of the society.

In a related development, the Principal of Satellite Junior Secondary School, Lagos, Mrs Tola Daramola, has advised students to treasure knowledge above other transient glories because it is the route to success.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony held for JS3 students of the school recently, she promised that the school would continue to bequeath the legacy of quality education to her students.

'It is proved and tested that for you to become somebody in life, you must be educated. You are seen as heroes, great achievers and indeed worthy ambassadors of the school', she said.