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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
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NASSAU, The Bahamas – Autism Spectrum comprises the fastest growing developmental disorder in The Bahamas. For the third year, dozens of students throughout The Bahamas accepted the challenge posed by FirstCare Medical Plan in association with The Ministry of Education and REACH Bahamas to pen an essay under the theme “Autism in The Bahamas: A Nation Without Boxes.”
A panel of judges from The Ministry of Education and REACH chose two grand prize winners and three honourable mention winners among junior and senior students.
LaTess Bartlett of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy was the Senior Grand Prize Winner, and Amaya Fowler of St. Anne's School, Junior Grand Prize Winner.
Acting Deputy Director of Education Serethea Clarke said “we truly believe that education is everybody’s business,” in her congratulatory address to the winners, highlighting the Ministry of Education’s continued support of the competition.
The five winners were awarded cash and prizes valued at more than $2,000 including gift certificates from John Bull, The Shoe Village and Custom Computers.
“Ours is a long-term and nationwide effort, to do our part to ensure that children on the autism spectrum have every chance to become productive citizens,” said Corinna Neely, President of FirstCare Medical Plan. “It is encouraging to see an increasing number of students from Grand Bahama and other islands in our nation participate in the essay contest. This year we had a special competition for the school that submitted the most essays and Bishop Michael Eldon School in Grand Bahama won.”
LaTess Bartlett, an entrepreneur and eleventh grade student at Mary Star of The Sea Catholic Academy in Freeport penned the grand prize winning essay in the senior category in which she admonished Bahamians to “remember that only jars are labeled.” She noted that while those on the autism spectrum are differently-abled, their condition does not define them.
Amaya Fowler, a seventh grade student at St. Anne’s School in Nassau tackled the issue of bullying in her essay, noting “when we tease others it demolishes their self-confidence and it is very hard to restore.” Fowler urged parents of autistic children not to isolate their children for fear of embarrassment and encouraged the public to be sensitive to the needs of those on the autism spectrum and their caregivers.
Three honourable mention winners were selected. C. C. Sweeting tenth grade student Javonne Cumberbatch and Queen’s College eleventh grade student Ari Brathwaite were announced the senior honourable mention winners. Joseph Townsend, an eighth grade student at Sir Jack Hayward Junior High School in Freeport was named the honourable mention winner in the junior category.
Rickcardo Miller, Acting President of REACH Bahamas outlined the many initiatives that the non-profit organization is spearheading in his address to the winners. He noted REACH’s upcoming 15th annual summer camp hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Education that provides complimentary activities for more than 100 children over a four week period. This includes both children with autism spectrum disorders and related challenges and their siblings.
FirstCare Medical Plan has pledged to continue their work with REACH and to host the Autism Awareness Essay contest for many years to come. “We are encouraged more than ever to continue our work to increase autism awareness locally and to do our part to positively impact the lives of Bahamian youth,” said Neely.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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