In a setting almost befitting a Grammy Award ceremony, twelve young people/organisations in Anguilla were the proud recipients of well-earned glass awards at Flavours Restaurant, at La Vue, on Sunday night, September 27.
The event was the first National Youth Awards Ceremony, organised by the Ministry and Department of Youth and Culture, and one of the main activities for National Youth Week.
The presentation of awards was preceded by welcome remarks by Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs, Mr Jerome Roberts, who spoke highly of the work of Mr Bren Romney, the Department’s Director, and his staff. The Minister also took the opportunity to commend the awardees for their contributions to Anguilla, youth development and their own advancement.
“There is no other place I would rather be this evening than right here, surrounded by you, our lovely young people, because you represent this island’s hope for a better and brighter tomorrow,” the Minister told the youth. “In you, I see so many possibilities which, if properly cultivated, would lead to a secure future for all of us. I am confident that together we can make this a reality. I congratulate the Department of Youth and Culture for ensuring that we show our appreciation in a tangible way to those young people who have been doing positive things in their lives and in our community, and who have been positively impacting others through their actions.”
The awards ceremony was co-hosted by Ms Samelia Connor (Miss Scotia Bank Talented Teen Queen) and Mr Clemvio Hodge, CARICOM Youth Ambassador.
Mr Sanford Richardson, Commissioner of Social Development and Chairman of the National Youth Award Committee, gave an overview of the award process.
The awards, presented by Mr Roberts, were as follows:
Outstanding Youth Organisation for Faith-based Achievement: The Ambassador Pathfinder Club (represented by Director, Malcolm Webster).
Outstanding Youth in Entrepreneurship: Twyla Richardson-Thomas and Latoya Scarboro, Creative Directors of Confetti Dust Studio.
Community Service Award: Blowing Point Youth Community Development Centre (represented by Jemima Romney).
Friend of the Youth Award: Anguilla Electricity Company.
Esteemed Volunteer Award: Kasseem Forde;
Academic and Extra-curricular Award: Zipporah Bannister.
Outstanding Youth in Sports: Zharnel Hughes.
Outstanding Youth in Visual Arts: Janay Reymond.
Outstanding Youth in Media: Crispin Brooks.
Outstanding Youth in Performing Arts (music, drama, dance): Amber Woodley.
Outstanding Youth in Literary Arts (writing, poetry): Shellecia Brooks-Johnson.Minister of Youth Affairs Excellence in Leadership Award: Kasseem Forde.
During the award ceremony there were performances by Deanna Mussington, who sang the Anguilla Revolutionary Song We’re are out to Build a New Anguilla; Darwin and Deanna Mussington; Susan Best-Richardson, Alexis Ryan and Bankie Banx.
