Almost three hundred people attended the first ever Primary Schools National Awards Ceremony held at the Campus B auditorium on Wednesday, November 21, at 6:00 pm. The ceremony was chaired by the Director of Social Security Mr. Timothy Hodge and was sponsored by ANGLEC. Various dignitaries attended as well as The Hon. Deputy Governor Mr. Stanley Reid and Mrs. Reid, The Hon. Minster of Education Mr. Evans Rogers, Permanent Secretary of Education Mr. Rodney Rey, Chief Education Officer Mrs. Rhonda Connor, and Manager of ANGLEC Mr. Neil McConnie and Mrs. McConnie.

The awardees

After everyone was seated, all of the awardees walked in and took their seat. A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was played on the steel pan by Dumpa Martin which was followed by the National Song performed by the Valley Primary School. Mrs. Veda Harrigan, Primary Schools Education Officer, gave the opening remarks: “I want to truly thank ANGLEC for their sponsorship and responsible corporate citizenry.” Mrs. Harrigan then handed over the ceremony to Mr. Hodge in which he invited the combined schools choir to sing “The Greatest Love of All.” It was certainly a moving performance as many members of the audience cheered as well as Principal of the Alwyn Allison School, Mr. Art Egle, who could be heard joyfully yelling throughout the auditorium. Mr. Evans Rogers gave a speech in which he too thanked ANGLEC and congratulated the awardees. He said, “You will receive positive rewards for your work.”

Mr. Neil McConnie was also invited to speak to the audience. He gave a cheerful and animated speech in which he reflected on his own childhood. He also asked the students to stand and verbally thank their parents and teachers for the support they have provided which in turn has led to their academic successes. Jelani Banks was invited to do a feature address directly after a steel pan rendition by the combined group from the Morris Vanterpool Primary School and the Island Harbour Primary School. Jelani said, “we did not have this when I was in school so I take this opportunity to say congratulations to us.” He urged the children to continue working hard as it is not easy being on the top. He mentioned failed successes such as Britney Spears and Mike Tyson citing the fact that they could not handle the pressures of success. He continued, “you have a great deal of responsibility to be good leaders and be positive role models to those who also want to succeed.” He made three main points; do not rest on your laurels, being on the top is tough, and with success comes responsibility.

The first Awards distributed were for overall outstanding academic performance. For grade six the awardees were: Cordane Omari Richardson (RPS), Kemba Sakile Hughes (RPS), Brandell Jabari Jeffers (RPS), Jose Jude Vanterpool (MVPS) and Michael Ross Curtis (AAPS). Grade five awards went to Kenje W. Alinton Thomas (SGPS), Sharmar Enrico Gaskin (SGPS), Kasem Thompson (CC), Jarion Lakeem Duncan (MVPS) and Alrique Rashaud Rogers (SGPS). Grade three awards went to Arielle Eboni Gaskin (MVPS), Khesim Akil Reid (VPS), Jasmin Jade Ruan (MVPS), Amelique Lean Hodge (MVPS), and Kordell Dwayne Smith (IHPS).
The following awards were done by category and they are copied here:

Mathematics
Grade 3
Arielle Eboni Gaskin (MVPS)
Khesim Akil Reid (VPS)
Grade 5
Sharmar Enrico Gaskin (SGPS)
Kara Hughes (CC)
Grade 6
Cordane Richardson (RPS)
Jin Fu Feng (SGPS)
Kemba Sakile Hughes (RPS)

Science
Grade 3
Jasmin Jade Ruan (MVPS)
Khesim Akil Reid (VPS)
Grade 5
Sharmar Enrico Gaskin (SHPS)
Alrique Rashaud Rogers (SGPS)
Kenje W. Alinton Thomas (SGPS)
Grade 6
Cordane Omari Richardson (RPS)
Clemvio Celgo Hodge (VPS)

Social Studies
Grade 3
Chris Travelle Cox (MVPS)
Arielle Eboni Gaskin (MVPS)
Khesim Akil Reid (VPS)
Grade 5
Kenje W Alinton Thomas (SGPS)
Sharmar Entico Gaskin (SGPS)
Grade 6
Cordane Omari Richardson (RPS)
Brandelle Jabari Jeffers (RPS)

Language Arts
Grade 3
Jordia Aaliyah Hodge (IHPS)
Amber Nicole Rogers (SGPS)
Amelique Lean Hodge (MVPS)
Grade 5
Kenje W. Alinton Thomas (SGPS)
Arjee Rene Liburd (SGPS)
Grade 6
Sierra Nerys Richardson (RPS)
Cordane Omari Richardson (RPS)

Outstanding sportsmanship went to Esteban Valera and Jonicia Richardson. Colleen Johnson and Geralisa Bardouille both received awards for most football goals for a female and Germain Hughes received the award for the males. Closing remarks were made by Tim Hodge and the combined schools choir performed beautifully again. All in all it was a great night in which hard work and perseverance were rewarded and the self confidence of the awardees was significantly boosted.

-Jason Allen

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