Since 1998, the Guidance and Counselling Unit at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School has been conducting a college fair for fifth and sixth formers interested in pursuing higher education. All parties involved must agree that this year’s fair is the most impressive to date. The newly built auditorium of Campus B was full of tables set up with information for students interested in the university system. Moreover, there were tables for the various financial institutions capable and willing to help with student loans such as NBA, CCB, the Anguilla Development Board and the Government Training Unit.

Students ask questions of representatives of College of Lake County

An opening ceremony was held at 9 a.m. on Monday 19th November, in which the National Anthem, National Song and the School song were performed by the ALHCS Choir. A welcome was given by Ms. Olufunmike Banks-Devonish, a current sixth form student and brief remarks were made by the Minister responsible for Education, the Hon. Mr. Evans McNeil Rogers. Mr Roegrs said, “human resource development is one of the objectives of government with the other being economic. One may argue that you cannot have the latter without the former. What is not debatable however is the fact that the development of our human resources is a prerequisite to local participation in our economic development. Government is committing up to $23 million dollars to education in 2008 and we are also establishing our own community college. There are currently 88 students on full scholarships and a further 67 receiving financial assistance and for a small country this is significant.”

View of new auditorium where College Fair was held

Colleges and Universities represented were the University of Arkansas, Trent University, State University of New York, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Georges University, Monroe College, Marine Institute of Memorial University, Schiller University, College of Lake County, Norman Aviation Flight Training Academy, State and University of New York Cobleskills. One of the organizers, Anita Martin-Ruan was on hand to explain, “this fair has been organized by the Guidance and Counselling Unit at the ALHCS and the Anguilla Library Services. So far we have had all the fifth formers. The fair is only open to fifth and sixth form students and the general public as well as parents will be coming through. I am particularly excited about the Norman Aviation Flight Training Academy being here as we are trying to get more students into flying.”
Captain George Mussington and Captain Edward Richards from the Norman Flight Academy explained that they train pilots from zero all the way up to a commercial pilot. They cater to the Caribbean airlines and are the only commercial school that provides a full educational experience. They will be conducting introductory awareness flights for students ages 16 and over here in Anguilla on November 24-25. Anyone is invited to fly around Anguilla for one hour and actually take the controls of the aircraft to feel how it is to fly. If interested, please call 562-5475 or 464-8522. The cost for the trip is EC $300.
- Jason Allen

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