The first of three Boyz2Men induction ceremonies took place on Monday, 18 Sept. at the John Gray High School gymnasium, with 86 boys welcomed into the programme.
The JGHS cohort comprised 75 boys, with 10 enrolled from Hope Academy for the first time. They received the programme’s traditional neckties, which signify their representation in the organisation that has been assisting at-risk young men for more than a decade.
“This is the first year that we had another school… at the induction,” Boyz2Men founder Christopher Murray told the Compass. “Even more so, we were delighted to have the premier and his wife, and other executives from the Department of Education, along with several other ongoing supporters from the community.”
Musician Bruce Gordon, the ceremony’s keynote speaker, motivated the boys attending by telling his story.
Gordon, who has registered than 100 million digital streams in his music catalogue, encouraged the Boyz2Men students to chase their goals and not to get distracted.
“I think his speech was phenomenal,” Murray said. “Mr. Bruce, a young man who had a dream and was willing to venture out… He was encouraging the young men to dream big and hold on to their dreams.”
While Gordon spoke about his journey, he also highlighted the dangers of social media and how that can impact one’s focus, noting that it has the potential to enable young people to stray from their goals and dreams, noting that trying to impress the masses doesn’t contribute to their success.
“I could see the young men really looking inspired by what he was saying,” Murray added.
He said he was pleased with the overall turnout of officials and parents at the event but acknowledged that continuous support for the young men is necessary to see change.
“We are once again trying to work with our young men, to help them make better choices, more informed decisions and, as much as we can, get help, we are asking for help,” he said.
The programme will hold its Clifton Hunter High School induction on 5 Oct., with a ceremony on Cayman Brac set for late October.
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