President Jeffrey Bostic delivered a challenge to The St Michael School as his tour of the nation’s public schools continued on Tuesday.
Standing before a packed auditorium of students, staff and invited guests, the President told the young Cougars that while destinations are important, it is the journey that truly shapes who they become.
The visit formed part of his island-wide school tour, an initiative he launched after asking himself a simple but profound question upon his election on October 7 last year: “So what? You’re President. So what?” That reflection, he explained, pushed him to ensure his tenure would inspire and unite young people across Barbados.
His message was clear: Barbados’ future depends on addressing the root causes of some of the troubling social issues affecting the nation. While he stressed that the majority of young people are talented and disciplined, he warned that society has allowed the actions of a few to overshadow the many. He linked issues such as violence and low self-esteem to years of young people leaving school without academic qualifications or skills, and to an education system that has not always aligned with the demands of the labour market.
“It is not the destination that is really important,” he said. “But the journey which leads to the destination.” Reflecting on his own upbringing in Chapman Lane, The City, he shared how community, school, mentorship and discipline shaped his path to the presidency.
That personal story has now evolved into what he calls the Chapman Challenge, a national mentorship and leadership programme designed to guide young people “from the Lane to Hillaby”, Barbados’ highest point. The “lane,” he explained, represents wherever a young person currently stands in life, while “Hillaby” symbolises the pinnacle of their potential.
The initiative, built on principles such as discipline before privilege, mentorship as currency, and service as identity, aims to create structured pathways for leadership and social mobility. It will involve churches, sports organizations, retired professionals and community groups in what he described as a national call to action to “mobilize the defence of our youth.” It will also include a President’s Trust Fund to help students transition between educational levels, purchase essential tools and textbooks, and even access technical training opportunities.
The challenge will extend beyond traditional classrooms, reaching even young offenders at the Barbados Prison Service in an effort to support rehabilitation and reintegration.
President Bostic also pressed students to examine their own attitudes toward authority and discipline. If they expect respect as prefects, captains or club leaders, he said, they must first show it to their teachers and mentors. He challenged the school to expand its culture of service, suggesting students could volunteer on weekends to assist younger children preparing for Common Entrance or share their talents in music and academics.
Earlier in the programme, Principal Tanya Harding welcomed the President back to familiar grounds, noting that his daughter once attended the school. She described him as a living example that leadership and excellence are attainable through discipline and commitment.
“At the St Michael School, our students are well-rounded,” Harding said, highlighting the school’s academic strength, sporting achievements and wide range of extracurricular activities, including its student-run Junior Sagicor Society. She acknowledged the challenges facing today’s youth and expressed hope that the President’s words would inspire resilience and purpose.
The school band energized the audience with a rendition of “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan, while Alexandria Waterman, President of the Art Club, presented a piece of artwork to the Head of State. Head Boy Kamari Cummins later gifted him a Cougar Gear package, symbolizing the strong bond between the school and its distinguished visitor.
Beyond the music and presentations, the President’s core message lingered: every student is already on a journey. Whether they realize it or not, their daily decisions, about discipline, service, respect and self-belief, are shaping their climb.
And as he made clear to the Cougars gathered before him, Hillaby is within reach, but no one gets there alone.
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