Ciara Farquharson cops major award at Greater Destiny’s graduation
Published:Saturday | July 5, 2025 | 12:07 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Twelve-year-old Ciara Farquharson was the toast of Thursday’s Greater Destiny Preparatory School graduation, walking away with the Director’s Award in recognition of her outstanding discipline, leadership, and well-rounded achievement throughout the academic year.
The announcement, which was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the teachers, classmates, and family members, meant much to Ciara, whose approach to her scholastic life is a purpose-driven one.
“I feel very excited, extremely happy, and overwhelmed,” said the soft-spoken Ciara. “Receiving this award is an indication that I have overcome. It means everything to me because I have been working towards it for years, and to finally be chosen, to stand out among my peers, is truly a blessing.”
The Director’s Award is decided by a rigorous selection process that includes interviews, verified records of achievement, extracurricular involvement, service, leadership, and personal character, all of which Ciara demonstrated with distinction.
HIGHEST HONOUR
According to Sandrene Hill-Sherwood, director of Greater Destiny Preparatory, the award is given with utmost care and consideration.
“This is the third consecutive year we are presenting the Director’s Award,” she explained. “It stands as Greater Destiny’s highest honour, which is bestowed upon a graduate whose journey exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and unwavering character.”
Hill-Sherwood further noted that external evaluators were brought in to conduct the interviews, with each shortlisted student submitting verifiable proof of achievement, including honour roll transcripts, community service records, extracurricular participation, and leadership contributions.
Ciara’s total award package included a trophy and a cash prize of $20,000, which was donated by Sylvan Sherwood and the director Hill-Sherwood.
For Ciara’s parents, Clarence and Clovalee Farquharson, seeing her collecting the coveted award brought them a mix of joy, pride, and gratitude.
“I’m elated and excited that she was able to, among other awards, win the Director’s Award,” said her father. “She tried, she performed, and she delivered. We’ve instilled a level of discipline in her, and she stuck to her work. If she continues on this path, I am expecting greatness.”
Ciara’s mother, who serves as president of the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA), admitted that the moment moved her to tears.
“I was overwhelmed because I know this was an award that Ciara wanted with all her heart. But I also know, from my association with the school, that this is a very difficult award to win. So, I was super excited when she got it,” she said.
“I just want to say thanks to God for taking her to this place and for allowing her to represent and present herself in such a way that she was able to earn this honour,” she added.
Ciara, who will be attending Herbert Morrison Technical High School, her first choice in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination, departs Greater Destiny not as the top academic achiever, but as a role model, whose balanced excellence, strong values, and quiet leadership captured the spirit of the institution.