The Cayman Islands Law School celebrated recently their graduation and awards ceremony at the Harquail Theatre.

Present were Hon. Cline Glidden, who led the graduates, lecturers and guests in a prayer, Mr. Mitchell Davies, Director of Legal Studies, Dr. Robert Stokes, who was visiting the Cayman Islands from the University of Liverpool, and Mr. Justice Charles Quin.

Graduates were divided into those receiving their first degree in law, conferred by the University of Liverpool, and those receiving

their post-graduate Professional Practice Course certificates.

There were also special prizes and awards, including the Sweet and Maxwell Law Prize for best performance in the first year modules, awarded to Thea Bush.

The University of Liverpool Law Association Prize and Butterworths Lexis/Nexis Law Prize for best performance in the second year modules was awarded to
Jason Clayards.

The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Prize for best performance in the third year modules was awarded to Erik Bodden. Mr. Bodden also received the Tim Shea Memorial Prize for best performance over the Honours Degree Programme, as well as the Dean’s Prize, of the Liverpool University School of Law.

Professional Practice Course graduate Nadine Watler was awarded the O.L. Panton Memorial Prize for best performance over the Professional Practice Course, as well as the Attorney General’s Trophy for best performance in the Qualifying Examination.

During her address as First Placed Postgraduate Student, Ms. Watler spoke on the theme ‘Striving to be the best.’

“‘Striving to be the best.’ What does this mean? To some these words bring the image of someone with drive, passion, perseverance and ambition… usually something very positive. To others, it creates an image of someone who simply wants to be better than everyone else…should we apologise for striving to do well, or should we instead encourage the person next to us, our children, our friends to also be the best that they can? Can you imagine a country where everyone is striving to be the best?” she asked.

“Let us never apologise for striving to be the best,” she concluded

During his address as First Placed Undergraduate Student, Erik Bodden said: “On behalf of the graduating class of 2011 I would like to thank all our lecturers who are here today. We thank you for your unwavering support and genuine interest in the success of every graduate. Without you, our 90% success rate in the Cayman Islands would not be possible. We are truly grateful.”

During his graduation message, Dr. Robert Stokes congratulated all the graduates.

“Today is a celebration of your dedication, commitment and ultimately ability. Each of you will have worked very hard to get where you are today and I would like to formerly acknowledge that hard work and effort,” he said.

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