Information officer at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Garwin Davis, urged graduating students of Nonsuch Primary School in Portland to embrace responsibility and build meaningful relationships as they prepare for the transition to secondary education.Delivering the main address at the school’s graduation ceremony, Davis reflected on his own journey from Fellowship All-Age School in Portland to Titchfield High School, sharing lessons that have guided his personal and professional development.“I remember this day very well … as if it were yesterday. I recalled the principal’s warning that high school, while enjoyable, carries significant responsibility,” Davis told the graduates.“It’s an entirely different ball game but certainly one that you will enjoy and one which will undoubtedly change your life forever.”Davis, a PAJ award-winning journalist and founder of the social media platform Portland’s Finest, said responsibility and relationships were among the most important factors in achieving success. He encouraged students to be punctual, complete their assignments, work consistently towards self-improvement, and cultivate positive relationships with teachers, mentors and peers.He stressed that the decisions students make during their high-school years can have a lasting impact on their future, and urged them to balance enjoyment with discipline.Drawing on the wider Jamaican education landscape, Davis encouraged the graduates to dream big and pursue their ambitions, regardless of the school they attend. He emphasised that success is earned through perseverance and determination, whether students aspire to careers in medicine, law, engineering, education, policing or other fields.Among those highlighted during the ceremony was head boy and champion speller Dayton Jennings, who earned a place at Titchfield High School and was recognised by the Ministry of Education for outstanding achievement.Davis pointed to Jennings’ accomplishments as an example of how talent, discipline and strong support systems can contribute to success. Jennings became Portland’s and Jamaica’s youngest back-to-back Spelling Bee champion at ages seven and eight in 2023 and 2024.The ceremony also featured student performances and presentations, celebrating the achievements of the graduating class and the support of parents, teachers and the wider community.In closing, Davis encouraged the graduates to remain resilient, curious and hard-working as they embark on the next chapter of their educational journey, reminding them that success is ultimately determined by perseverance and commitment rather than where they begin.School officials commended the address, describing it as timely and motivating as students prepare for the transition to high school.- Gareth Davis Sr