Sixteen year old T’arah Niles and seventeen year old Kevin Thompson, both students of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, emerged winners in the female and male category respectively in the Optimist Oratorical Contest held at La Vue Boutique Inn on Saturday 11th April, 2015.
Both T’arah and Kevin delivered confidently and passionately on the topic, “How My Optimism Will Help Me Press on to Greater Achievements of the Future”, to gain the judges’ approval for the winning spot. A total of 10 contestants participated: five males and five females, and all spoke on the said topic. In the second and third places for the female category were Sabrina Connor and Lydecia Laud respectively, while Kasem Thompson and Malik Richard took the second and third place spots in the male category.
Chairperson of the Oratorical Committee, Ms. Michelle Queeley, reported that she was very pleased with the high standard of the contest, as well as the great support from parents and other members of the public who saw it fit to attend the event. She said that while everyone did well, she was especially moved by the bold and sterling performances of the three students from the Road Primary School: Lydecia Laud, Quesnea Connor and Pierre-Jai Lake.
All participants were awarded a certificate of participation. The first to third place winners also received a number of prizes to include trophies and medallions, and gift certificates for lunches, salon services and barber services, and cellphone credit.
Ms. Niles and Mr. Thompson left the island on Wednesday 15th April 2015 for Jamaica to represent Anguilla in the regional Oratorical Contest slated for Saturday 18th April. While there, they will compete against well over fifteen contestants for a college scholarship to the tune of US$2,500.00.
The all-expense paid prize trip is among several prizes that they won in the just completed local oratorical contest. Both were also recipients of a College Starter Bank Account at the National Bank of Anguilla, trophies and gift certificates.
Accompanying them to Jamaica is Ms. Avon Carty, President of the Optimist Club of Anguilla, and Ms. Michelle Queeley, coach and chairperson of the Oratorical Committee. The Optimist Club wishes through this medium, to thank the following for their generous contributions in cash and kind to both the local and regional-level preparations: The management and staff of La Vue Boutique Inn; Arian Freight; Mr. Ray Boat Services; Mr. Victor Banks; Smokey’s Restauratnt; Unbeweavable Divas; Mr. Cardigan Connor; English Rose; Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge; Origanal Barbers; parents and guardians, as well as the general public for its support.
– Contributed
