??

Fifteen year old Lona Maria Whitney,??student of St. Michael and first place winner in the Senior Division at the local level of the??2010 Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Essay Competition??receives her prize from Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy.

??

Ten year old Britney Sealy, student of Trinity Academy?? and first place winner in the Junior Division at the local level of the??2010 Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Essay Competition??receives her prize from Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy.

When the island’s children are exposed to the tourism industry from an early age it gives the assurance that the future is secured.

This was intimated today by Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, as he lauded students who participated in the 2010 Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Children’s Essay Contest, coordinated by his Ministry.

He said: "We are constantly hearing that our children are our future. When we educate and expose our children to this vital industry, they will have the wisdom to cope with what lies ahead and we can rest assured that our future and their[s] are in good hands."

??Minister Sealy acknowledged that Government had a very fruitful relationship with the FCCA and its member cruise lines which dock at the Bridgetown Port each year.??

Pointing out that the Ministry also provided numerous opportunities for the youth to be part of the industry; he appointed out that in addition to FCCA Essay and Environmental competitions, participants had over the years been exposed to educational tours to various attractions across the island, site visits to hotels and cruise ships docking at the Bridgetown Port.?? Mr. Sealy noted that this was to "develop and sharpen their own thinking, writing and artistic skills."

The Minister also spoke about the success of past students who had entered awareness competitions.?? He mentioned the impressive artwork of Anisah Wood of The Alexandra School, who captured third place in the Senior Division of the 2010 FCCA Environmental Poster Competition and Daniel Lashley of Harrison College, who captured first place in the Junior Division at the local level.?? The Minister also mentioned

Jason Yearwood, a former student of Queen’s College who captured first place in the Ministry’s Annual Speak-Off Competition and gained the title of Junior Minister of Tourism 2008. In lauding him, Mr. Sealy remarked: "He went on to place 2nd in the CTO Youth Congress in Trinidad of that same year. Jason is now a student at the University of the West Indies, pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Tourism Management."

Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy stands with six students who were winners in the local leg of the 2010 Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Essay Competition at the prize-giving ceremony.

Another winner, Javon Griffith, past student of the Coleridge and Parry School was also praised as the Tourism Minister emphasised the importance and benefits of competitions to this year’s participants. He stressed that Mr. Griffith had completed his studies in Tourism and Hospitality at the Barbados Community College’s PomMarine Institute, and in July of this year, won a Caribbean Tourism Organisation Scholarship and a National Development Scholarship. "Javon is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Air Transport Management at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom," the Minister disclosed.

Meanwhile, Tourism Development Officer, Marsha Armstrong, said the entries for this year’s essay contest had declined, moving from 60 in 2009 to 13 ??in 2010 and attributed this to students having to concentrate on various examinations during the competition period (mid-June).

The first placed winner in the Junior Division at the local level was Britney Sealy of Trinity Academy. Second place went to Niamke Branch of Luther Thorne Memorial, while third place was awarded to Gabrielle Leonce from St. David’s Primary.

In the Senior Division, the winner was Lona Maria Whitney of the St. Michael School. Placing second was Terrell White from Alexandra School and Joshua Hinds of Harrison College. jgill@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest