Lester Vaughan farewell for principal

“POVERTY IS not a stumbling block to success!”This was the heartfelt message which former principal of the Lester Vaughan School, Alvin Carter, left with the students as they bid him farewell at a retirement function at the school yesterday. Students sang, danced and rendered poetry, and many glowing speeches were made about him and his lengthy contribution to the educational system. But at the end of it all, a humbled Carter told the audience that the road to his success was not an easy one.“I see myself as a very simple, humble country boy, and it has not always been this good . . . The road here was a very long and difficult one.”Carter went on to tell the students of his life growing up among seven siblings. He said they were all raised by his mother.“When I went to primary school I was fortunate to wear shoes for two days in my entire primary school life . . . What stands out in my mind was when water came to our house for the first time and when electricity came to our house for the first time and when I wore my first long pants. I hope that as I share this with you that you would be encouraged to do some reflection and introspection.”He added: “I came from a very humble and poor background, but I was able to make it this far and contribute 37 years to the teaching service. One lesson to take with you is that poverty is not a stumbling block, it is not an excuse for not achieving.”Carter started his teaching career at St Leonard’s Boys’. He then went on to Princess Margaret School, Deighton Griffith and Louis Lynch before taking up the position at Lester Vaughan in 2007. (MB)