PERSONS usually associate attending church with donning a particular type of attire, and listening to a sermon preached by a head of a church, pastor or priest.However, for the graduation class of Mount Tabor Primary School, it was not within the usual Sunday “church setting” that they heard sound doctrinal advice and received scriptural revelations from Thankful Family Church member and past student Dr Yolanda Alleyne and principal Wayne Drakes.As they sat with parents and specially invited guests at the Mount Tabor Moravian Church in St John last Wednesday, they were advised to choose their friends wisely.Quoting from the Book Of Proverbs to those transitioning from primary to secondary school, Alleyne in her main address stated: “Your friends want what’s best for you. Always be aware of when someone comes to harm you, or when they come to do you wrong. “Your friends will want what’s best for you.“In your new environment, hang out with those who are going in the same direction as you are.“Some friends will come to build you up and others to drain you and pull you down.“Recognise the sharks in your life from those who come to protect you,” she warned.“You will know your future by your friends.”Alleyne also told graduands to know the qualifications they wanted in a friend, and to acknowledge and respect those from whom they could learn something positive.“Acknowledge persons who come into your life to motivate you and those from whom you can learn,” she stressed.Alleyne, who plays a key role in the women’s ministry at Thankful Family Church, also told the young students that they must stay connected to God through daily prayer, and allow God to help them plan their day.She spoke to them about the need to set goals; encouraged them to dream big dreams; and to know the difference between short, long term, and medium goals.“Dream big dreams so God can accomplish something big in your life, and use the gift God has given you to help others,” she emphasised.“Tell yourself that you can do anything that anyone else can do, only you can do it better,” she added.Drakes reminded the 20 graduates about the tenets of respecting themselves and others, and urged them to let respect be their hallmark as they go onto a higher level of education.“Your theme at Mount Tabor is respect. You will not get far in life without respect. Do not follow the crowd,” he warned.He emphasised the need to have a positive attitude, but reminded them, they must first hang out with positive persons.“Birds of a feather flock together. It is better to be alone than to be in the wrong company,” he stated.He further told them to set the right goals early in life, and advised that having an expensive cell-phone or wearing the latest fashion was not a goal.“Set goals such as submitting homework on time; aiming for a better position in class, or becoming a better reader. Obey the school rules, wear the uniform correctly, and do your best, no matter which school you attend,” he stated.The audience watched as the 20 students proudly walked the aisles to receive awards for various disciplines and achievements. Among them was top student Danielle Corbin, who was also named Most Outstanding Girl.
