Arianna Mercier is the 2015 Courts St. Lucia Reading Champion

Courts St. Lucia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and Labour, hosted its seventh annual “Courts Schools Reading Competition” under the esteemed patronage of Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy, The Governor General of St. Lucia; the Honourable Minister of Education, Human Resource Development and Labour, Dr. Robert Lewis, was also in attendance.

The competition was emceed by radio personality Ms Masana Morrison and the Saint Lucia 2014 Courts Reading Champion, Miss Gabrielle Barthelmy. Eight of the nation’s top readers competed for the coveted prize of $2,000 in cash, $2,000 for his/her school plus the opportunity to represent St. Lucia at the OECS finals to be held in Dominica.

The Courts National Reading Competition finalists were: Chris-Anne Moonie of Pierrot Combined, Rihanna Marshall of Millet Primary, Marcella Brade of Soufriere Primary, Tia Wallace of Dame Pearlette Primary, Arianna Mercier of Camille Henry Memorial, Giddel Louisy of Riviere Doree Combined, Kyle Joseph of R.C. Boys’ Primary and Joel Leon of Micoud Primary.

The students were given two passages with which to wow the five judges. The first, a narrative, “Why Anansi Has Eight Thin Legs”, was read by each participant whilst each student was given a different news item to deliver for their second piece.

The competition was highly competitive and successful, focusing on the students’ reading ability. well In the end, Camille Henry Memorial’s Arianna Mercier was crowned the Courts St. Lucia Reading Champion 2015. The young lady will now represent St. Lucia in Dominica at the OECS finals where she will compete for her chance of winning an additional $5,000 in cash plus a laptop. Miss Mercier also receives one year of free internet service, courtesy of FLOW.

Second place went to Miss Marcella Brade from the Soufriere Primary School. She walked away with $750 in cash. Mr Joel Leon, in 3rd place, received $500.

Certificates of participation, as well as complete back packs, compliments of Courts, were presented to the eight finalists. Each received a Smartphone from Digicel and an educational hamper from the Lions Club of Castries. First, second and third place trophies were presented to the winners, sponsored by the Trophy Centre.