Congratulations were in order for top performing young people all over the island on Tuesday, January 24 with the staging of the National Awards of Excellence. The sense of accomplishment and achievement was hard to miss in the demeanor of students as they proudly made their way onstage to collect awards in various categories ranging from sport to academics.
A number of distinguished personalities including Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, Minister for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte, Education Minister Robert Lewis and others were in attendance at the prestigious event. The only visible downfall of the event was the space constraints of the National Cultural Centre venue where there was standing room only for some who’d come to support the youngsters.
The event was part of activities marking Nobel Laureate Week and in addition to their trophies student awardees received cash prizes from the education ministry for their efforts at being the best they could be. At Tuesday’s event island scholars and top performers over the years were paid tribute to and ministry of education retirees were honoured, then it was onto the presentation of awards.
Winner of the Schools Spelling Bee Chessa Obeuis from Reunion primary and Alana Aimable from Choiseul secondary received awards while Kayla Smith from Blanchard combined and Jamal Etienne from Saltibus combined were both recognized for outstanding performances in spelling. Francophonie winner Ethan Joseph received an award as did Word Splash winners Tricia Lionel, best original poem (Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School) and Hazel Lawrence, best performed original (Vide Bouteille Secondary). The best interpretation went to VBSS while the best collaboration award went to Choiseul Secondary.
Ave Maria Primary was recognized for their win in the 2011 School’s Choir Competition, as was the Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary. Tuesday’s event boasted a well-received performance from the Ave Maria choir. Schools’ Solo Winner, Collister Tappin from SDA Academy, was also honoured.
Montessori Private School was awarded the prize for the Primary Science Quiz while the Lower Secondary Science Quiz award went to the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School. For their accomplishments in the National Science and Technology Fair Aquliah Smith, Yashakaid Jean and Celestine Williams all received awards, as did Rawindra Mangar from St Mary’s College, Zitus Janki, Jamiel Gustave, Bernadine Gonzague and Andrew Leno from Anse Ger Secondary. Still on the science aspect on the tertiary level, Jon-L Innocent, Franklin Rambally, Carisse Lansiquot and Cherissa Pelage were deserving of their awards.
Top performers in the Common Entrance Examinations included Shekeena Danzie from Morne Du Don and Marcell Biscette from Reunion Primary in tenth place, Dion Recai from Carmen Rene Memorial, Trisanne Frederick from Ave Maria Primary, Rochelle Emmanuel from Morne Du Don, Euclyn Amorsingh from Ti Rocher Combined and Rohan Wilfred from the RC Boys Primary in fifth place, Medhini Urs; Montessori and Jyasi Daniel; Bonne Terre Preparatory in third place, Michelle Porath from Dugard Combined in second place and Jevon Charles from Camille Henry Memorial in first place.
Top performing schools in the Common Entrance examinations were Carmen Rene Memorial (fifth), Reunion Primary (forth), Grace Combined School (third), Camille Henry Memorial (second) and Dame Pearlette Louisy in first place. The top performing private school was Tapion Preparatory. The top performing schools in CSEC were Castries Comprehensive (fifth), Vieux Fort Comprehensive (forth), Leon Hess Comprehensive (third), St Mary’s College (second) and St Joseph’s Convent in first place. St Joseph’s Convent received the award for overall outstanding achievement.
In CSEC examinations awardees included Riann Weekes from Leon Hess Comprehensive (Theatre Arts), Willianus Monlouis from Soufriere Comprehensive (Agricultural Science), Shem Brown from George Charles Secondary and Hadiah Venner from St Mary’s College (Visual Arts), Osmund d’Auvergne from Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (Building Technology- Construction), Lianne Philbert from VFCSS (Music), Davis Reddock from Castries Comprehensive (Mechanical Engineering), Gabriella Fontinelle from VFCSS (Social Studies), Nichola Surage from VFCSS (Mathematics), Amanie Mathurin from VFCSS (English A and B), Stacey Roheman from St Joseph’s Convent (Physical Education and Sports), Gerric Soudine from St Joseph’s Convent (Food and Nutrition), Yun Qian Li and Vercil Mathurin from VFCSS (Office Administration) and Nadege Eugene from VFCSS (Clothing and Textiles).
Outstanding performer Jarnickae Wilson from St Mary’s College received a standing ovation for his topnotch CSEC performance. Wilson secured the top awards in Pure Sciences, History, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Modern Languages, Business and secured 13 distinctions.
After several trips to the stage Jarnickae was awarded the prize for best overall performance.
Top performers from the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College included Cleofa Hippolyte from the division of technical education and management studies, Delphina Edward (department of health sciences), Lilia Isidore (department of health sciences; midwifery), Mervin Engliste (division of agriculture) and Drusilla Zepherin (first class honours in the division of teacher education and educational administration). The prestigious Island scholar awards went to Lena Tautier and Kaela Gerald.
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