As their school celebrated its 40th anniversary yesterday, students of Pleasantville Secondary School were urged by former education minister Hazel Manning to leave a legacy similar to her late husband’s.
Speaking at the celebration at the school, Hazel told the students and teachers that her husband, former prime minister Patrick Manning, always held their school close to his heart.
Manning was the school’s first inductee into its Hall of Fame and the school awarded 15 members of staff for long service, including Francis King, who has been a teacher at the school since 1979.
“I know that he was very committed and dedicated to the well-being of this school. He was elated when you won your first national scholarship in 1983,” she said. “And when I was Education minister, I was always asked to give you special consideration, you held a place of pride in his heart.”
Recalling the attention Manning paid to the school even when he was ailing, Hazel told the students, “For 40 years he followed the growth and progress of this school and as councillor Robert Paris will tell you, even when he was ill he would intervene to ensure support was available.
“And now he is no longer with us, my appeal to you is live one legacy that he passed on—and that is to become dedicated and committed to living a life of adding value to others.”
Noting the success rate of the school’s estimated 40,000 past students, Hazel told those present that leaving a legacy is no easy task.
“What about you who are sitting here today? Do you know who you are, why you are here? How are you impacting on your own life and the lives of other people?
“Do you have a purpose in life? I put it to you that when you can find that purpose and live it, only then can you leave a legacy.”