Mr. Aaron Adams and Miss Nandi Edwards, two students of the AL-HCS Campus B, have done the Optimist Club of Anguilla proud by placing second and third respectively in the Optimist International Caribbean District Oratorical Contest which was held on Saturday 30 April, 2016 at the Norman Manley Law School, UWI Mona, Jamaica. Mr. Adams placed second in the male competition from a field of 5 participants while Ms. Edwards placed 3rd in the female competition from a field of 8 participants representing Optimist Clubs from Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua & Barbuda. First place for the males was taken by Matthew Weatherhead who was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Bridgetown, Barbados, and third place by Neshan Weekes, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Barbados South. First place for the females was taken by Dahlia Sterling sponsored by the Optimist Club of North St. Andrew, Jamaica’ and second place was taken by Britney Sealy sponsored by the Optimist Club of Barbados North.
Speaking on the topic, “How My Best Brings Out The Best In Others” Mr. Adams and Ms. Edwards gave stellar performances and definitely exuded their best, leaving a path for others to be encouraged to follow. Their passion and energy were invigorating and inspirational. Mr. Adams declared, “When we put our mind to a task (whatever the task may be) we must be resolved to do our very best in executing and completing that work.”
Ms. Edwards challenged all of us to be a role model: “Always try – let’s be the best we can be and by our example, others will be inspired to reach higher and achieve greater.”
These are the words of true leaders and role models. Their discipline and work ethic contributed to their successful participation in this competition. The Optimist Club of Anguilla is extremely proud of these young people and urge the youth of Anguilla to follow suit and grab on to opportunities that promote positive character building.
Chairperson of the local Oratorical Contest Committee, Ms. Amethyst Davis, said: “We are over the moon! Those children did a brilliant job and represented, not only the Optimist Club of Anguilla, but, the island of Anguilla and did so at a very high standard. We are extremely proud of Aaron and Nandi and hope that more young people would be motivated to participate in this esteemed competition as it only seeks to develop and empower our youth to stand up and be the best they can be.”
In addition to the competition, the participants and their chaperones were able to get a taste of Jamaican culture by participating in various activities. They visited the Bob Marley Museum, took a tour of the historical town of Port Royal and the Devon House and thoroughly enjoyed the play “Duppy Whisperer” at the Centre Stage theatre, in New Kingston.
The participants were accompanied to Jamaica by Chairperson of the Oratorical Contest Committee, Ms. Amethyst Davis, and the President of the Optimist Club of Anguilla, Ms. Avon Carty.
The Optimist Club of Anguilla would like through this medium to thank our hosts in Jamaica for doing a wonderful job in organising the competition and making our stay a fun and memorable one. The Club also thanks Mrs. Webster-Stuart, Principal of the AL-HCS; the Anguilla Bar Association; the Department of Youth and Culture and the Government of Anguilla; Ms Palmovan Webster, of Webster law firm; and Mr Cardigan Connor and Mr. Curtis Richardson for their support. Special thanks are also extended to the children who participated in the local and district Oratorical Contests as well as their parents for their support and encouragement.
-Contributed
