Introduction of the Guest Speaker

Reverend C. David Goff-Chairman of the Board of Management of Wesley College/Wesley Junior College, Other members of the Board, Mrs. McKenzie, Chief Magistrate of Belize, Ministry of Education representative, Mrs. Brenda Armstrong President of Wesley Junior College, Mrs. Winsome Arana Acting Dean, Faculty and Staff of W.J.C., Parents Guests and Fellow graduates. I wish to introduce a woman who has faithfully served in the Magistracy for 18-19 years, and has served this country in that capacity. I am very proud of the fact that she is the first Belizean woman to serve as Chief Magistrate in Belize. Being a part of the Magistracy since 1989, Mrs. Margaret GabbMcKenzie has demonstrated professionalism and conscientiousness in her duties which has paid off tremendously in making her Belizes first female chief Magistrate. Her career commenced in the Civil service in 1989, when she first served as a summons clerk. Determined to achieve success, a year later in 1990, she took and passed the second class exams. In hopes of furthering her career, Mrs. Margaret Gabb-McKenzie took classes for the first class exams during the day, while pursuing paralegal studies at night. All her hard work was compensated for when she was appointed assistant Clerk of Courts. Discovering her niche, Mrs. Margaret McKenzie -Gabb became a member of the lay Magistracy in 1994. However, prior to her involvement in the legal arena, Mrs. Gabb-McKenzie graduated from Wesley College and started off working as a lab technician. She also worked in the maintenance section at the Fort George Hotel, as a Sales Clerk at Brodies Supermarket, and supervisor at Save-U supermarket. Foreseeing her career as a magistrate, she enrolled at the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies in Belize City. Thereafter, she attended the Law Faculty at UWI in Cave Hill, Barbados for the next two

years, and a final year at Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica where she completed her Certificate in Legal Education. Equipped with her paralegal certificate, Bachelor of Law degree and Certificate in Legal Education, Mrs. McKenzie was appointed as a fullyfledged magistrate, in 2001. Aside from her duties as a qualified magistrate, Mrs. McKenzieGabb also served as a teacher of Paralegal studies, constitutional and Tort Law at the University of Belize, and in the A-level Law program at the UWI School of Continuing Studies in Belize City. She is also known to be rather stern in her duties, Mrs. Gabb-McKenzie is an ideal role model, and in a crime filled society, as we currently reside in, persons of such character and integrity are necessary to ensure justice in our community. As a mother, Grand-Mother and Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Margaret Gabb-McKenzie strides with excellence and professionalism. Mrs. Margaret McKenzie, we are honored to have you address us this evening. Thank you.