“Levern right now is a world figure. She is somebody who is known across the planet. She is a champion at just about every level you could think of and it is a tremendous honour to have her on our Directory cover.”

That was LIME’s Corporate Communications Executive, Terry Finisterre, paying tribute to St Lucia’s multi Sportswoman of the Year, Levern Spencer, at Tuesday’s 2010 LIME Services Directory Presentation at the Babonneau Primary School which she attended.

The students much too young to understand the magnitude of Spencer’s achievements sat quietly and listened attentively, as speaker after speaker heaped praised on the young lady who in time to come, will undoubtedly become their role model. You never know, maybe somewhere among them is another Levern Spencer in the making.

Special guests at the LIME Services Directory Presentation included Minister of Sports, Lenard Montoute; Minister of Education and Culture, Arsene James; LIME Country Manager, Sean Auguste; Levern’s mum Anne Marie and representatives with Caribbean Publishing, Ian Jackson and Vernetta Charlemagne.

Originally from Babonneau, Spencer furthered her education at Entrepot Secondary, Albany State College and the University of Georgia. Her high jump records include the St Lucia national record as well as CARICOM, CARIFTA Games and Central American and Caribbean Championships.

Spencer is the NCAA, CAC and NACAC champion and was the only St Lucian to qualify for the 2009 IAAF World Championships in athletics. For the 2010 indoor season, she is ranked third in the Americas and second in the British Commonwealth.

Delivering the feature address Auguste said: “Having Levern on the cover is not only a tribute to her, but a demonstration of faith in the ability of St Lucia’s youth to reach the top and excel.”

Spencer who received a thunderous ovation from the young students said: “It is always a great feeling to know that his or her achievements are being recognized and rewarded. Over the years, LIME has shown that they are the leaders when it comes to investing in the talents of the people of St Lucia and rewarding them when they do achieve.”

While acknowledging LIME for assisting with her sporting endeavours, the world ranked high jumper also said thank you to everyone who contributed to her “sporting achievements.”

Spencer mentioned her high school Coach Gregory Lubin and Manager Gregory Dixon who she described as “my mentor, inspiration and a great source of encouragement.”

Minister Montoute congratulated Spencer for the recognition received courtesy of LIME and feels it will go a long way in motivating other young people to aspire to greatness.

Montoute is especially grateful to LIME for stepping up at a time when “the resources that government makes available for sports is woefully inadequate.”

He went on to say: “That’s not because we do not wish to invest more in sports, but as everyone will appreciate and know
we are facing some serious economic times and there are a number of priorities for the limited resources that government has to go around.”

He called on other corporate entities to take a page from LIME and assist with what he called “this program of national development.”