LC Graduation Class of 2023 Group Photo
The 2023 Leadership Cayman Class of ‘23 officially graduated from the programme on Saturday, July 8 at a dinner held at the Thatch & Barrel Restaurant, at Pedro St. James.
MCs for the evening, Matthew Pellow and Andrea Whittaker broke the ice by getting the students to play a game, with prizes given to the first person who came forward with randomly named items ranging from a lighter to a pair of high-heeled shoes. Everyone enjoyed it and had a lot of fun joining in the fun. Matthew welcomed the class, saying that Pedro St. James, where Cayman’s first leaders met, was a fitting venue for Cayman’s new generation of leaders to meet.
Chamber President-Elect Joanne Lawson congratulated all the graduates for completing the Leadership Cayman Journey: We are here to celebrate the victories and hard work of the LC class of 2023 such as the successful Class project which raised funds for Meals on Wheels, and 12 class led seminars that touched on important topics such as Financial Services, Sustainability and the Environment, Immigration & workforce Development, and the Cayman Islands Government,” she said.
The ceremony marked the culmination of the class’s growth as leaders since the class began in January this year, she said, and would surely leave them all with many valuable memories. Ms. Lawson reflected on each student’s dedication in overcoming ‘roadblocks’ that had inevitably got in their way, and looked forward to the continuation of their unwavering commitment as they made a positive impact on the lives of all those around them.
Candice Czeremuszkin, Chair of LC class of 2023, thanked everyone who had helped to make the evening possible. Although she wasn’t born in the Cayman Islands, she considered it her home, she said, as she expressed her love for these islands and the desire that she, along with all the other class members, would continue to make the Cayman Islands even better.
Both Candice and Joanne presented awards of appreciation – a beautiful handcrafted caymanite Stingray by local artist Horacio Esteban, to representatives of each of the major sponsors: Cox Lumber, Wheaton Precious Metals, and RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Ltd.
Then it was time for each of the 23 students to come forward, one by one, to receive their Class of 23 Leadership Cayman Graduation Plaque.
Class of ‘23 valedictorian, Melissa Layne expressed her appreciation of all Class of ’23 members who had contributed so much to the success of the class as they had gone on their journey, sharing so many experiences and growing together along the way.
