Students of the Barbados Community College (BCC) Liberal Arts division delivered a powerful series of speeches recently in celebration of Barbados’ independence and the first-ever Liberal Arts Symposium: Wa De Lit Say.
Explaining that the event was designed to encourage academic research and writing throughout the BCC, organisers tasked the students with presenting relevant, organised, and original pieces in the hopes of promoting national consciousness through scholarship tied to Barbadian culture.
The event featured a keynote address from international author Dr. Yvonne Weekes, who encouraged attendees to take control of their own narratives and discover what defines who they are.
“Our identities are captured in memories, in experiences, in relationships. I have a special relationship to BCC, this is where my first family is from.”
She recounted her time at the college, revealing that BCC is where her values were shaped into what they are today.
Judged by a panel of experts, students presented speeches about a variety of topics ranging from food security to mental health and represented courses from throughout the division, impressing organisers with their ability to command the audience’s attention.
BCC Tutor and the brain behind the event Damien Bishop was proud of his students and satisfied that it had accomplished its goals.
“This initiative not only honours our Independence but also reaffirms the power of words, ideas, and intellectual freedom in shaping the Barbados of tomorrow.”
Thanking participants for their contribution to the debut symposium, Mr. Bishop congratulated the events winners; Salena Rudder, Arianna Clark and Emily Mayers, in first, second and third respectively.
The event was capped off by awarding the winning participants as well as several other stand-out students in the Liberal Arts division, like Cya Layne, the afternoon’s recipient of the Gabrielle Gay award.