wanted to be, if they have "enough sense to make it''.

That was the message delivered at a Founders' Day assembly by former student Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson.

Born 60 years ago to an unwed mother at Bob's Valley, Somerset, Bishop Anderson is now the first black in the western world to serve as president of the World Council of Churches.

The WCC represents more than 300 denominations and 560 million people around the world.

An internationally acclaimed writer and scholar, Bishop Anderson presides over the Fifth Episcopal District AME Church which includes more than 250 churches in 14 US states.

He was part of a World Council team that visited Los Angeles last year shortly after the riots to bridge the gap between Korean, white, and black churches there and to find out the needs of people living there, including gang members.

In an effort to promote solidarity with churches in Cyprus, Jordan and Israel, Bishop Anderson also ducked bullets on the Gaza strip two years ago.

Yesterday the modest Bishop told The Royal Gazette : "Although I started from a very humble beginning, God has worked miracles in my life. I see my role as helping others to become better people.

"I was not called to be successful, I was called to be faithful.'' Sharing with Sandys students the secret of his accomplishments, he said: `You need to have a sense of history or your heritage.

"That's what Founders Day is about -- those who made sacrifices of their time and talent.

"I came along at a time when Sandys was struggling to get started,'' he said.

"I was struggling myself because I was born to an unwed mother. But it does not matter where you start, but where you are trying to go.'' Therefore, Bishop Anderson said, a sense of mission was also necessary to "make it'' in life.

"You have to make a decision about keeping standards and principles,'' he said. "There are some things that must never change -- principles of honesty, decency, and respect must not change. If you cannot respect yourself and others, then you can't make it.'' Noting people do not have the same economic base, Bishop Anderson told students they should not worry about what others have.

"Be yourself,'' he said. "Think about who you want to be, what you want to be and how you are going to get there.'' That led him to the third sense necessary for success.

"You need a sense of destiny,'' he said. "This is not your profession, not how much money you're going to make, not prestige nor who looks up to you, but destiny is tied to who you are on the inside.

"There has to be inner strength, self-esteem,'' he stressed. "Your destiny is wrapped in what you believe about life and the principles of life.'' Quoting a Bible scripture, he said: "I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. I hope that every young man and woman in this room will have a sense that there is a power above yourself -- that there is a spiritual source and that is your destiny.

"I hope you will have enough sense to make it, including common sense.'' And at the end of the assembly -- which included a presentation of certificates to students who attained an average of 75 percent and over and those who had perfect attendance, Sandys principal Mr. Melvyn Bassett said he was sure there were other Vinton Andersons among the students.

"Maybe you won't preside over churches,'' he said. "But if you gain a sense of purpose, mission, destiny and put God first, who knows where we will see you in 10 to 15 years from now.'' A former Sandys student himself, Mr. Bassett said: "If you apply yourselves, certainly your dreams and goals can be achieved.'' President of Sandys Board of Governors Mr. Eugene Cox MP also challenged students to help prepare a preface on Bishop's Anderson's talk for a book which is being written on the school's history. PHOTO Bishop Vinton Anderson.*l