Awardees in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Barbados pose with Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith and Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Stephen Smith, during a ceremony at the Olympus Theatres on Monday. (GP)

Young persons involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Barbados have been advised to use the training and the awards that they have received to influence their peers.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, stated this in his brief remarks on Monday night, during the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Barbados ceremony at the Olympus Theatres, Sheraton Mall, Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church.

“I want you to use this award, use the training that you’ve received over that period of time, not only to enhance yourself … but use it to impact some of your peers in a meaningful way.

“And if you do that, then rest assured that you will be doing something not only for self, you will be doing something for country as well, and that is the major thing that we’re looking for, to ensure that our young people are able to spread the news of what it is to be positive; what it is to engage in something that is mind changing; what it is to be involved in the process that develops our country to a level where we stand as a beacon not only in the Caribbean, but  internationally,” he said.

Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Stephen Smith, also gave hearty congratulations to the members, as he noted the conditions they were operating under while earning their awards.

“This is an amazing achievement, as you have completed your award under particularly difficult circumstances. The world has seen extensive change during COVID-19…. 

“However, it is young people like you, who are driving change and leading recovery, showing remarkable resilience on working to finding solutions. Being a Duker is all about taking on challenges and overcoming them. As I always say, Dukers don’t get deterred, they get determined,” he said.

Silver Award winner 18-year-old Micah Grosvenor remarked that his award is a symbol of how hard he worked, while resilience was a great lesson learnt. 

“It was the most important part because you have to finish; you have to push through because there are definitely times when you feel like you want to give up, but you can’t; you have to go through it,” he said.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956, by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The programme currently has a four-section format of Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition, with an additional Residential section at Gold level. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is in over 130 countries.

Those receiving awards were:

Bronze –  Natalya Brathwaite, Ade Collins, Ayo Collins, Shanna Earle, Zahné Farrell, Adrienne-Gracielle Frederick, Dabrianna Hinkson, Zachary Hoyte, Leigh-Ann Layne, Elann Lewis, Sachia Reid-Thomas, Maia-Lyn Robinson-Griffith, Shinaye Scantlebury, Tyrell Bannister-Inniss, Sheverne Campbell, Laila Chin-Clarke, Taiye Estwick, Lawren Fontanelle, Lashawna Franklyn, Nikki-Green-Walcott, Toni-Q Harris, Julawn Ifill, Ramon Jackman, Pritika Kandamaran, Amanda Marshall, Ségan Sandiford, Kyle Seales, Aisha Waterman, and Kyle Yearwood.

Silver –  Micah Grosvenor, Liyee Su, Nailah Walton-Taylor, Alyssa Ashby, Lael Charles, Danielle Dottin, and Aleah Yarde. 

fabian.belgrave@barbados.gov.bb

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