On a landmark visit to Selah Primary School in St. Lucy this Monday, President Jeffrey Bostic delivered an inspiring message of resilience and purpose to the school’s student body, encouraging young learners to view obstacles as stepping stones rather than barriers on their journey toward long-term goals. During his time on campus, President Bostic praised students for the confidence they demonstrated across academic, artistic, and extracurricular programs – from Spanish language learning and music performance to uniformed youth groups. Drawing a direct lesson from the students’ poise during the morning’s welcome activities, he noted, “There’s no challenge that you children cannot overcome. And when you face obstacles, you find a way around them, over them, but you maintain the path that you are on.” The President highlighted the determination of Head Girl Shazariah Springer and Head Boy Micah Depeiza, who adapted to practical challenges – including the need to stretch to reach the microphone – to welcome him and present ceremonial gifts, calling their quick thinking and confidence a powerful example for their peers.
Tying his message to the school’s Biblical name, Selah – which carries multiple meanings including “to pause and reflect,” “to lift up,” and “to serve with humility” – President Bostic emphasized the power of intentional stillness. “Your power is not in your fists. Your power is not in your hands. Your power is not through your mouth. Your power is in your pause,” he said. “Pause shows power, not weakness. Pausing is strength before you do something that you will regret later.” He also challenged students to build one another up instead of tearing peers down, urging them to celebrate classmates’ successes and support their teachers. He reminded students that the character values they develop during their school years are permanent, irreplaceable assets that cannot be bought with money, earned through academic certifications, or granted by a university degree. “You need to serve in order to lead… Leaders are not those who stand tallest, but those who bow to lift up others,” he added.
The visit came at a particularly meaningful moment, falling during Education Month and as Barbados marks 60 years of national independence. Principal Cheryl Marshall shared that the occasion offered the school community a chance to reflect on the nation’s progress while reaffirming its commitment to preparing young people to build the future of Barbados. “Our school is focused on helping students discover their talents, develop character and gain the confidence needed to contribute to society,” Marshall explained. Echoing President Bostic’s message of perseverance, she pointed to the school’s motto – “Self-discipline and Dedication Brings Success” – to reinforce that success grows from commitment, resilience, responsible decision-making, and a willingness to persist through difficulty.
Selah Primary currently offers students a wide range of extracurricular opportunities beyond core academics, including STEM programming, reading initiatives, multiple sports, music, educational tours, and youth clubs. The school fields teams in athletics, cricket, football, netball, and table tennis, and hosts uniformed groups including Brownies, Blossoms, and Cubs, with a new Beavers program set to launch this year. Students also participate in the Inter-School Christian Fellowship and a school violin program, and the administration plans to resume its popular swimming programme this term. President Bostic specifically highlighted the school’s Spanish language presentation, encouraging students to continue building their foreign language skills through secondary school and beyond, noting that the ability will open new doors for them in the future. The morning’s activities included a violin performance of *Tip Toe Boo!* and a recitation of the poem *Barbados*, celebrating national culture and student artistic growth.
During the visit, President Bostic also raised a key concern about underrepresentation of male role models in positive youth development programs, noting that a lack of visible positive leadership disproportionately impacts boys’ participation in constructive extracurricular and community activities. “Our boys cannot be what they cannot see,” he said. “Our boys are a reflection of what they are seeing in our men.” He called on more adult men to get involved in youth programs, from uniformed groups to sports and faith-based initiatives, explaining that confidence and leadership skills cannot be learned solely from textbooks – they are developed through hands-on, mentored engagement.
Principal Marshall closed by noting that President Bostic’s visit reinforced the core mission of Selah Primary, saying, “Your presence here today sends a powerful message to our students that they matter, that their education matters, and that their dreams and aspirations matter.” Looking ahead, the school will launch the President’s Chapman Challenge this Friday, and continue expanding its extracurricular offerings throughout the term with the new Beavers program and the return of swimming.