It was a grand occasion, with all the accompanying celebration and media attention, when some thirteen young people (including representatives of two organisations) received national awards for their varied personal achievements and contributions to Anguilla.
The event, at Flavours Restaurant, on Saturday, November 5, was the Third National Youth Awards ceremony. It was held by the Department of Youth and Culture, with the assistance of a number of sponsors, and attracted a massive crowd.
“These awards celebrate our youth,” Minister of Social Development and Youth Affairs, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, said while delivering the welcome remarks. “The awards are a small but genuine reflection of how highly our country values young people. We live in a world where too often people’s worth is only recognised when they have departed. We want to change that message by clearly demonstrating to our yo
ung people that we acknowledge that you are assets to our country and that your age is not a determinant of your capacity, creativity or courage. It is on you we rely to innovate, push the boundaries and approach problem-solving without the burden of disillusionment, which prevents so many of your elders from embracing new possibilities.”
The Minister continued: “All of us are here to show our appreciation for you and to encourage you to continue to be leaders in your various fields. No more can we say that young people are future leaders. Young people are today’s leaders. Each of you is a leader in your own right. The obligation is ours to support your development and enable you to become greater and more proficient. Part of that process is saying well done and we are here to do just that.
“The opportunities available for young people to thrive in Anguilla, though not optimal, are leaps a
nd bounds ahead of what existed many years ago. While there is much to be done, we have to applaud our nominees for what they have been doing to develop themselves personally and professionally; the time that they have been investing in helping other young people in their community and their efforts in making Anguilla a better place for all of us.”
Mr. Rogers congratulated the nominees and awardees, saying their nomination was an indication that they were considered role models in the community. He took the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the work of the Department of Youth and Cult
ure. “I am proud of the wonderful job that Mr. Bren Romney and his team are doing, and I trust that our young people appreciate the effort that goes into ensuring that they are kept on the front burner,” the Minister added.
The awards ceremony was ably hosted by two of the island’s leading young people, Ms. Arielle Gaskin and Mr. Kevin Thompson. Another leader, Ms. Jasmin Ruan, President of the Anguilla National Youth Council, congratulated the recognised young people and the Department of Youth and Culture for its annual awards ceremony. Mr. Sanford Richardson, Chairman of the National Awards Committee, presented an overview of the awards system.
He pointed out that the Annual National Youth Awards were for youth development. The areas of focus were governance, leadership, youth empowerment, youth innovation, youth volunteerism, youth entrepreneurship and youth excellence in academi
a, sports, culture and the arts.
There were thirteen categories of awards. The awards and the winners were as follows:
• Esteemed Volunteer Award: Rudy Webster
• Academic and Extra-Curricula Excellence Award (Secondary Level): Kyiv Edwards
• Academic and Extra-Curricula Excellence Award (Tertiary Level): Kevin Thompson
• Outstanding Youth in Visual Arts: Donilia Reid
• Outstanding Youth in Literary Arts: T’arah Niles
• Outstanding Youth in Media: Romaro Richardson
• Outstanding Youth in in Performing Arts (music, drama and dance): T’arah Niles
• Minister of Youth Affairs, Excellence in Leadership: Clemvio Hodge
• Outstanding Youth in Entrepreneurship: Jermaine Payne
• Outstanding Youth in Sports: Jahmar Neville Hamilton
• Friend of Youth: Rudy Webster
• Faith Based Achievements organisation: Anguilla Boys Brigade
• Community Service organisation: Arijah Foundation.
The Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Concert Band and From Within Dance provided the entertainment for the ceremony.
Mr. Bren Romney, Director of the Department of Youth and Culture, commende
d the nominees and awardees. He was grateful to the Government of Anguilla fo
r enabling his department to sponsor a number of the awards. He also thanked a number of business places for providing additional sponsorship.
