|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Slide Show
|
Nassau, Bahamas – Nelissa Thomas of Queen’s College, Britney Gibson of Aquinas College and Jodi Ritchie of Queen’s College were the respective winners in the senior, junior and primary divisions of the Templeton World Charity Foundation and Ministry of Education, Science & Technology’s Laws of Life essay competition.
An awards ceremony was held Tuesday night at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel to honour the winners and competition finalists.
Throughout the night, the Templeton World Charity Foundation, which holds the prestigious competition all over the world, awarded the winners and their schools thousands of dollars in scholarships and cash prizes.
Thomas, Gibson and Ritchie each received $1,000 scholarships and cash prizes ranging from $500 to $800.
Coincidentally, Thomas is the elder sister of Akilah Thomas, a Sadie Curtis Primary School student who was also the 2013 primary division winner.
According to organisers, there were 800 essay entries this year, with 49 New Providence schools and 29 Family Island schools participating. However, that figure is lower than previous years.
Queen’s College had the highest amount of finalists in the junior division. The school also received numerous scholarships to give to deserving students.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Jerome Fitzgerald congratulated the youngsters for their achievements.
“I can tell you truly that the future of The Bahamas is safe and our young people are making us proud in many, many ways,” he said.
“I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Templeton World Charity Foundation for its generosity in sponsoring this competition. The Foundation has certainly proven that it is a stakeholder of education and is willing to invest in the lives of young people with a view to emphasise the virtues of living a good life. We at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology fully endorse this work and further appreciate all the generosity you have extended to the children and people of The Bahamas and look forward to our continued partnership with you.”
The evening was peppered with commentary from past winners, who relayed how their lives have improved since entering the competition. Parents, teachers and competition judges all sat in the audience.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Hulan Hanna, the evening’s guest speaker, said he was pleased to see an organisation highlighting the good work of the nation’s youth.
“As someone mentioned, when you pick up the newspaper on a daily basis; if you turn on the electronic media, you are almost overwhelmed by the amount of negativity that seems to be happening in our fair land. It is depressing, it is frightening and unfortunately, it’s a reality,” he said.
“But, it is against that context, that backdrop that I am so happy and thrilled to have been invited to speak to you young people. Because what you are celebrating this evening is everything that is good about the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”
He added, “It takes a lot to become a finalist. It takes a lot to sit where you are seated. There are many today who worked perhaps just as hard as you did, but they were edged out by you. That ought to say something about your effort and your endeavour as young nation builders. I am extremely proud of you; I am extremely impressed by your effort and your hard work.”
Head of the Templeton World Charity Foundation, Dr. John Templeton Jr., who is the elder son of the late philanthropist, Sir John Templeton encouraged the students to keep working hard.
“It is a joy and blessing to be with you all today. At the same time, if God could only make it possible it is my father Sir John Templeton who would most of all like to be with you all on a night like tonight,” he said.
“I would like to help launch today a celebration for the hundreds of kids who have made this day so special. As you listen, each person here picked a very special question that dad took such treasure in for much of his life: the value of time, the success of perseverance, the pleasure of working, the dignity of simplicity, the work of character, the power of kindness, the influence of example, the obligation of duty . . .”
Meantime, Minister Fitzgerald remembered Sir John Templeton as a pioneer in both financial investment and philanthropy “who spent his lifetime encouraging open-mindedness.”
“He believed that every one of us has a purpose in life beyond our immediate need and gratification. Sometimes, though, that purpose frequently goes undiscovered. Students, you are well on your way to discovering your purpose,” Minister Fitzgerald said.
During the ceremony, Queens College was named the overall winner and received a floating trophy.
Senior Division Finalist
Alyssa Bastian Queen’s College
Jasmine Bethel Queen’s College
Arlton Cox St. John’s College
Soyini Edwards Queen’s College
O’Chea Finlayson Aquinas College
Nanditha Guruvaiah Queen’s College
Sheean Hanian Bahamas Homeschool Association
Vincent King Queen’s College
Ervin Miller Queen’s College
Jada Miller Queen’s College
Camille Minnis St. John’s College
Sandron Morley Queen’s College
Donel Morrison Aquinas College
Shamia Pintard St. John’s College
Ashli Pratt Queen’s College
Makayle Roberts St. John’s College
Shabethany Sawyer St. Augustine’s College
Joel Sweeting Queen’s College
Nelissa Thomas Queen’s College
Ashley Thompson St. John’s College
Janell Watkins St. John’s College
Devaughn Williamson Aquinas College
Junior Division
Abigail Allen St. Augustine’s College
Gabriella Armbrister Eight Mile Rock High School
Simone Bellot St. John’s College
T’nique Brown Queen’s College
Kyle Collie Queen’s College
Britney Gibson Aquinas College
Charles Hamilton St. Anne’s High School
Savion Marshall Queen’s College
Michael Miller Queen’s College
Mahlia Neely Queen’s College
Allie Pinder Spanish Wells All-Age School
Derek Pinder Spanish Wells All-Age School
Mya Pratt Queen’s College
Mecheal Russell St. Augustine’s College
Alissan Seymour Aquinas College
Alexandria Thompson Queen’s College
Kenmar Theophilus Queen’s College
Ezekiel Thompson Bahamas Homeschool Association
Jayda Ritchie Queen’s College
Waynesha Thompson Eight Mile Rock High School
Primary Division Finalist
Maverick Armbrister Columbus Primary School
Hugh Bartlett St. Anne’s Primary School
Kyla Bethell Queen’s College
Jelissa Bocage Columbus Primary School
Dominique Bowleg C.W. Sawyer Primary School
Roberca Chery Sandilands Primary School
Tevonni Clarke Thelma Gibson Primary School
Gyllian Cooper Carlton Francis Primary School
Antwoine Cummings Carlton Francis Primary School
Celine Earns Thelma Gibson Primary School
Diontae Gardiner St. Francis & Joseph Primary School
Ebony Hanna St. Anne’s Primary
Ethan Hanna Thelma Gibson Primary School
Takiya Holbert Albury Sayle Primary School
Todd Hylton Thelma Gibson Primary School
Miranda Jack Christian Heritage School
Hailey Johnson St. Andrews School
Khari Maycock St. Francis & Joseph Primary School
Aaliyah Moss Columbus Primary School
Dara Nairn St. Andrew’s School
Antonique Palmer Central Abaco Primary School
Jodie Ritchie Queen’s College
Shavantae Roberts Central Abaco Primary School
Dajahrro Roker St. Anne’s Primary School
Erald Thompson St. Anne’s Primary School
Tremaine Williams St. Anne’s Primary School
Drew Wood Thelma Gibson Primary School
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
