In celebration of Bahamas 242 Day, students and faculty at Bahamas Academy were honored with a special visit from The Honorable Lashell Adderley, President of the Senate, who spent her time reading to the Grade 7th and Grade 8th students. The formal introduction of the guest reader was given by Pastor Kenny Deveaux, President of the South Bahamas Conference, who highlighted President Adderley’s commitment to service and youth empowerment. 

    According to Adderely, the book she read to the students – “My Voice is a Trumpet”, by Jimmie Allen, was to encourage young people to use their voice for equality, fairness, and justice. 

  Adderely said, “I would like to always encourage young children to use their voice. If they see a bully, use your voice. 

     “Speak up for God. Speak up for your classmate. Speak up for your teachers. Speak up for your parents. Speak up for that which is right and that which is just,” she added.

    Adderely also shared the importance of literacy development for students. 

    She said, “Literacy is one of the tools I believe that got me where I am today. My father was an avid and a ferocious reader. And so to be close to him really I started reading more difficult books.”

    Adderely encouraged the students to continue to use reading as a tool to develop mentally, professionally, and spiritually. 

     “I can tell you right now, the best book that I have ever read is the Bible. I never get tired of reading it,” she said.

    “There are so many stories on how to live, and how to be kind to people generally.”

    Following the reading, President Adderley, in a generous gesture of literacy support, presented a donation of $1,000 to the Bahamas Academy library, reinforcing her commitment to education and student development. The event concluded with students being reminded that their voices matter not only on Bahamas 242 Day, but every day.

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