The Royale College of Arts and Social Sciences graduated its third batch of students on Tuesday at the May Pen Baptist Church, Mercliffe Place, Clarendon.

More than 40 students, mainly women, were presented with bachelor's degrees in education and business administration. Valedictorian Marsha Boothe, who received a BSc in secondary education, claimed She's Royal by Tarrus Riley as their song.

To this, she received a resounding applause from her colleagues, family members and friends who were in the audience.

Managing editor of The Gleaner, Jenni Campbell, was the guest speaker at the event. She encouraged the gathering to engage people at all levels, take up leadership roles in their com-munities and society and become agents of change. She reminded the graduating class that God had a blueprint for everyone and the completion of their degrees at Royale College was part of his divine design in preparation for their roles in society.

"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it. As educated people, this is our job to do, let us get on with it," she affirmed.

The ceremony ended with refreshments on the school grounds.

Relatively new, Royale College was founded in June 2004 and is situated on the hills of Clarendon, Evans Heights. The president, Paul Mavour, said this is the only registered college in Clarendon that is offering degree courses. The campus will be relocated to Woodside in 2009 on 30 acres of land.