The Second Annual Honors
Banquet hosted by the Nevisian Association of Washington, DC was
held on Saturday, 23rd September, 2006 in the
Washington DC Metropolitan area. The guest speaker for this
auspicious and historic event was the Deputy Premier of Nevis ,
the Honorable Hensley Daniel. This year’s honoree was Nevisian Mr.
Hilary ‘Doc’ Guishard, who was recognized for his accomplishments
in the field of business and his unwavering service and generous
support for the development of Nevis .
The association’s president,
Mr. Everton Elliott, in his opening remarks outlined the
organization’ s objectives and achievements since its inception in
November, 2003. Mr. Elliott stated that its current membership has
grown in numbers and the group now hosts three main annual events.
The events are the Annual Family Day, Honors Banquet and the
Christmas Kwanzaa Celebration. Funds and other donations received
throughout the year help to further the organization’ s mission of
promoting economic, educational, technological, social and
cultural advancement of Nevisians at home and abroad.
The President was delighted
to announce that for the current school year, 7 Dell desktop
computers were purchased for donations to the Charlestown and
Gingerland Secondary Schools in Nevis . The computers will be
presented to the schools shortly by a representative of the
organization.
In his opening remarks
Deputy Premier Daniel congratulated the association and honoree
Doc Guishard for their respective achievements. The Hon. Hensley
Daniel focused on Nevis as a developing state with emphasis on
Education, Enterprise , and Community Development. Mr. Daniel
stated that the Nevis Island Administration’ s intention was to
expose its populace to improve on its levels of education,
business skills, and community consciousness as an essential
process to nation building. The Minister encouraged Nevisians to
“…pursue education with missionary zeal”, and stressed the
importance for full people participation to further the economic
and social development of Nevis . His concept is for the placement
of people at the center of development.
The Hon. Hensley Daniel was
pleased to report that two Nevisian students both achieved passes
in 12 CXC subjects with 12 distinctions. Mr. Daniel also outlined
new education policies that were designed to assist young pregnant
mothers in completing their education in spite of their
predicament. Nevis , in so doing stands to benefit from the United
Nations and other international funding programs that target
children and young women.
Deputy Premier Hensley
Daniel, saw this conceptual three pronged approached of Education,
Enterprise , and Community Development as a unique investment with
the highest yield, as a means of the overall development of Nevis
and its people.
The evening’s honoree, Mr.
Hilary ‘Doc’ Guishard, accepted the association’s award and
recognition for his lifetime achievements, his dedication to
service and to the development of Nevis . Mr. Guishard felt
strongly that “…the hallmark of a hero is the service that he
renders to others.” That this service “…distinguishes greatness
from mediocrity, extraordinary from ordinary and creates
individual icons who are [known] for their service to humanity.”
Doc mentioned two such persons who came to mind in the form of the
late Pastor Simeon Stanley, a well known local pastor, and Nevis’
first Premier, Dr. the Hon. Simeon Daniel, who were both admired
for their community service, loyalty and commitment to the
Independence of Nevis.
Mr. Guishard reiterated his
passion for the full Independence of Nevis as a life long
campaign, and encouraged his audience to likewise serve and to
become loyal to a worthy cause. In accepting the award, Doc
Guishard thanked his family, friends and association for their
beliefs in his achievements and encouraged everyone to “….Never
cease to educate yourselves. Always nurture commitment in whatever
you undertake. Seek counsel and relationship with individuals who
are more knowledgeable than you are”; “…Share what you have…you
never know what investment you are making by sharing. Be
disciplined and work hard.”
The evening’s activities
included the drawing of a raffle which was won by Mr. Loughton
Sargeant, who won a 3 day stay at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and
Spa in St. Thomas , USVI .
The celebrations continued
with dancing to the exciting sounds of the Image Band.
Our first meeting! The people who started it all on November 1st 2003.
