Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, Friday, that the following day would be World Teachers’ Day, so it was truly fitting to gather together to honour a legacy — one that shaped the Exuma community in ways that are deep, lasting, and immeasurable.
“Mrs. Aurelia Miller was a woman of exceptional character who devoted over 40 years of her life to the education of the children of Staniel Cay,” the Prime Minister said at the Aurelia Miller Comprehensive School Naming Ceremony on Staniel Cay, October 4, 2024.
“Think about that for a moment. Over four decades of service — through the highs and lows, through challenges that many of us could not imagine.
“It wasn’t just a job to her. It was a calling.”
He said they are at the school today as beneficiaries of that calling, and as witnesses to the profound impact that a single dedicated individual can have on the lives of so many.
Also attending the naming were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper; Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; Minister of Public Works & Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Glennford Sweeting; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, Lorraine Armbrister; Wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs. Cecilia Cooper; Family Island and School Administrators and family members of the honouree.
The Prime Minister noted that In 1922, when this school was established, it was Aurelia Miller who stepped forward to teach. She stood before her students with passion and determination.
He said Ms. Miller did not have modern facilities or resources. She taught in a church, under circumstances that were, by all accounts, humble and often difficult.
“Yet, what she lacked in material, she more than made up for in spirit.”
The Prime Minister explained that her love for education and for the children of this community was unyielding. “She gave of herself fully, even when her health faltered, even when the world might have expected her to rest. Aurelia Miller pressed on.”
He said she continued serving as an educator because she understood that education is not just the key to personal success—it is the key to community upliftment and national progress.
“And so, her story becomes our inspiration. It is a reminder to all of us, young and old alike, that we can leave an enduring mark on this world through service and dedication. Mrs. Miller didn’t have grand resources, but she had a grand heart. She didn’t seek fame or recognition, yet today, we stand here to ensure that her name is permanently etched into the history of Staniel Cay and The Bahamas.”
The Prime Minister said, “As we rename this institution to the Aurelia Miller Comprehensive School, we are not just changing a sign, we are passing on a story and legacy that will inspire many others.”
He added, “We remind each student who walks through these doors that they are walking in the footsteps of greatness. We remind each teacher who stands before their classroom that they are part of something larger —something meaningful. They are part of a tradition of perseverance and excellence, a tradition started by Aurelia Miller.”
The Prime Minister told the students to remember they are the future. “You hold the promise of this community in your hands. Let Mrs. Miller’s legacy inspire you to dream big, to work hard, and to always, always believe in the power of education. It is through education that you will chart your own course, and through that journey, you will help to uplift others, just as she did.”
He told educators to never forget the profound influence they have. “Just as Mrs. Miller impacted lives decades ago, you have the power to shape the minds and futures of those before you. In this school, named in her honour, let every lesson taught and every challenge overcome be a tribute to her life’s work.”
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