Picture 2: (First Row, From Left) Third place winner Asia Outten of Eight Mile Rock High School; first place winner Satori Curry of Eight Mile Rock High School; second place winner Katrina Dorsette and (standing behind Dorsette)Sidney McIntosh of Bishop Michael Eldon High School. (Second Row, Standing in Green) Olethea Zonicle, KGBC Representative and high school participants and teachers.

Freeport, The Bahamas  – Over the years the Keep Grand Bahama Clean (KGBC) initiative has hosted many competitions at the primary, junior high and senior high levels, with the aim of raising the awareness of the importance of keeping a clean environment amongst the youth of the island. In commemoration of the 8^th anniversary of KGBC during the month of October, which is also recognized nationally as Youth Month, the committee once again thought it was fitting to incorporate a youth component in the celebrations.

According to committee chairperson and GBPA Environmental Manager, Nakira Wilchcombe, “there is so much talent amongst our youth, and with this very important issue of keeping a clean environment, which impacts us all as residents, it is both exciting and thought provoking to learn from our students as they seek to make us all conscious about the environmental issues that exists and the need for us all to be better stewards of what God has given us.”

Previous anniversaries have focused on various genres such as art, music and elocution, through the use of Debates, Trash to Treasure, Photography, Jingles and Documentary competitions, all allowing students to display their talents and creativity. This year’s focus was a Public Service Announcement competition. Many schools competed and placement focused on top three spots with two entrants from Bishop Michael Eldon Anglican High school tying for 2^nd place finish.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT WINNER IS A PROUD BLUE JAY! (From Left) Nakira Wilchcombe, KGBC Committee Chairperson and GBPA Environmental Manager; Andurah Daxon of the Awards & Signs Centre; first place winner Satori Curry of Eight Mile Rock High School and Ivan Butler, principal of Eight Mile Rock High School.

The winners, along with their Public Service Announcements are:

3^rd Place: Asia Outten of Eight Mile Rock High School: “I discourage my peers from littering and try hard myself not to litter. I think it’s sad to pass on the road and see garbage on the roads, beaches and parks.”

2^nd place finisher Katrina Dorsette of Bishop Michael Eldon Anglican High School: “for our future and the next generation, I think that it’s important to keep our island clean.”

2^nd place finisher Sidney McIntosh of Bishop Michael Eldon Anglican High School : “Our #1 industry is tourism, so we need to keep our island clean to sustain the industry so that it can prosper. Tell family and friends not to litter, what will we have left if we destroy it?”

1^st place finisher Satori Curry of Eight Mile Rock High School : “littering doesn’t help us; the attraction of the land and beaches is what brings visitors to our country which helps expand the industry and bring money into the country.”

“At the end of the day we want these messages to be heard, and who better to express them than our youth,” concludes Wilchcombe.

Special thanks was extended to the participants, the dedicated teachers and to The Awards and Signs Centre for their sponsorship contribution of the trophies for this year’s competition and for supporting the Keep Grand Bahama Clean initiative.

ABOUT KEEP GRAND BAHAMA CLEAN

The motto of KGBC advocates that “ its everyone’s business and everyone’s responsibility to Keep Grand Bahama Clean: our lifestyles, our economy and our future depend on it”.

For more information about Keep Grand Bahama Clean and how you can become a member contact 3509164 and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ keepgrandbahamaclean