“This morning I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with the students of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School. They were attentive and responsive, the future is prosperous with these engaging and enthusiastic young persons,” he said in a post shared online.

Mr Smith, speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), said his speech comes as part of a project he usually does yearly, given he is an alumnus of the primary school.

“Historically, I give motivational speeches for the kids at the assembly. I started doing that in 2011 up until the hurricanes. I have [now] resumed.”

Speech to encourage future inside them - Mr Smith

“Today was to encourage them their future is inside of them and it starts with their choices today; to be attentive in class, dutiful with assignments, and diligent in all things,” he added.

Mr Smith noted that his speech today was a message he intends to reinforce throughout the years with the children amongst others, and have committed to doing weekly presentations.

Mr Smith ran in the recently concluded General Election for the Third District, losing out of the D3 seat to the incumbent Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3).