Award-winning author, filmmaker, and educator Prof. Gregg Mitman has challenged students of Yarkpawolo Public School to rise above the limitations of their environment, declaring that determination, hard work, and education possess the power to transform not only individual lives but entire communities.
Delivering the keynote address at the school's sixth Graduation and Fundraising Ceremony on Saturday in Gomue Town, Zota District, Bong County, Prof. Mitman described the institution as living proof that one person's vision, coupled with perseverance and collective support, can create opportunities that change generations.
Addressing graduates, parents, educators, community leaders, and government officials, Mitman urged the students to refuse to allow their rural upbringing to define the limits of their ambitions.
"Dream big, work hard, stay disciplined, and use your education to make your families, your communities, and your country proud," he told the graduates to loud applause.
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He emphasized that education remains the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and opening doors to opportunity, encouraging the students to remain focused on their academic pursuits regardless of the obstacles they may encounter.
Prof. Mitman used the remarkable life story of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo as a powerful example of how education can transform lives.
Recalling his first visit to Gomue Town fourteen years ago, Mitman said he accompanied the then-young scholar, who shared with him a dream that has since become a reality.
"I came here fourteen years ago with a young man who is now the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo," Mitman recalled.
"He told me about a dream he had to build a school that would give children the opportunity to receive an education he never had while growing up."
According to Mitman, what began as a deeply personal vision has evolved into an educational institution that is transforming the lives of children throughout Gomue Town and neighboring communities.
"Today, that dream has become a reality. This school is now educating more than one hundred children," he said.
Mitman praised the rapid growth of the institution, noting that it demonstrates how commitment, vision, and partnerships can leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
"One person's dream, supported by dedicated friends and partners, can change the future of an entire community," he said.
Reflecting further on Dr. Yarkpawolo's childhood, Mitman narrated how the EPA Executive Director's passion for learning began while living as a refugee in neighboring Guinea during Liberia's civil conflict.
"He was once a young boy just like many of you," Mitman told the graduating class.
"He wanted to learn, he wanted to read and write, and he believed education could change his life. Today, his dream is changing the lives of many other children."
He said the story should inspire every child attending the school to believe that their present circumstances do not determine their future.
"Your background should never become your limitation," he emphasized. "What matters is your willingness to learn, your determination to succeed, and your commitment to serving others."
The ceremony also featured remarks from Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, who congratulated the graduates while reflecting on his own extraordinary journey from refugee child to national public servant.
Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that he did not begin formal education until he was nearly 14 years old while living in Guinea after fleeing Liberia's civil war.
Despite that late start, he persevered academically, eventually earning a doctorate and rising to become Executive Director of Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency.
He said those experiences inspired him to establish Yarkpawolo Public School in 2018 so that children in Gomue Town and surrounding communities would not face the same educational barriers he once encountered.
According to him, the school has been financed largely through his personal resources together with generous support from friends and partners who share his commitment to expanding educational opportunities in rural Liberia.
"Education is one of the greatest investments parents can make in the future of their children," Dr. Yarkpawolo declared.
"Continue encouraging your children."
He encouraged parents to remain actively involved in their children's education, stressing that community support remains essential to building a brighter future for rural Liberia.
Providing an overview of the school's performance, Principal Mark N. Yourkpo reported that 120 students were enrolled during the 2025-2026 academic year after an initial pre-enrollment of 125 students.
He disclosed that five students dropped out during the academic year, leaving 115 students who successfully completed their studies.
Of those, 106 students met the promotion requirements and advanced to the next grade level, while nine students were retained after failing to meet the required academic standards.
Principal Yourkpo also announced that 20 students graduated from Grade Six and will proceed to Grade Seven during the next academic year.
Several students who distinguished themselves through outstanding academic performance were presented awards during the ceremony.
Veteran educator Joseph Urey also addressed the graduates, encouraging them to remain committed to their education while respecting their parents, teachers, and community leaders.
He urged them to pursue academic excellence and maintain discipline as they continue their educational journey.
Speaking on behalf of parents, Sackie Mator expressed heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Yarkpawolo for bringing quality education directly to Gomue Town.
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"Before this school was built, many of our children had to travel long distances to attend school," Mator said.
"Today, they have the opportunity to learn right here in their own community."
He described the school as a blessing for families across the district and praised its contribution to improving educational access in rural Bong County.
Located in Gomue Town, Zota District, Bong County, Yarkpawolo Public School currently provides education from ABC through Grade Six, serving children from Gomue and neighboring communities, including Killingan, Malangan, Bellelah, Nyensue, and Urey Village.
The sixth Graduation and Fundraising Ceremony attracted government officials, educators, traditional and community leaders, parents, students, development partners, and well-wishers who gathered not only to celebrate the graduates' achievements but also to mobilize support for the continued expansion of the institution.
As the ceremony concluded, Prof. Mitman's message remained the defining takeaway of the day--that no child should ever allow poverty, geography, or circumstance to limit his or her dreams.
For the graduates of Yarkpawolo Public School, he said, their greatest achievement is not simply receiving certificates but embracing the belief that through education, perseverance, and hard work, they possess the ability to transform their own lives, uplift their communities, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia's future.
