The Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School has introduced an awards system which recognises the school’s outstanding athletes of the five competing houses, and which it is hoped would encourage them to continue to excel in their particular areas of sport. The first such annual dinner reception and awards ceremony was held at the Rodney Rey MacArthur Auditorium on Saturday night, June 15.
“We are hoping that this athlete appreciation evening could do something more positive to the school and change Anguilla,” said the Principal, Mrs. Ingrid Lake, at the opening ceremony. “This activity is designed to celebrate the hard work of all our athletes without whom there would be no athletic inter-house competitions. Athletes, we are grateful for your willingness to participate in the many competitions, your preparedness to advance your athletic abilities and your determination to use those abilities to achieve or enhance your personal development. This evening is our way of saying thanks, how much we appreciate your contribution to the school and your active involvement in the life of the school.”
The keynote speaker was Mr. Rollins Richardson, Deputy Director of Sports. “I would like to congratulate the school and the organising committee for putting this event together. They are one step ahead of the Sports Department because right now we are preparing a concept proposal whereby we are encouraging all institutions of sport in Anguilla to award the participants. That extends to the Primary Schools, the Comprehensive School and all sports associations.” He also congratulated the athletes for their outstanding performances.
Mr. Richardson highlighted the opportunities that sport offers for young people in Anguilla, and elsewhere, and named several Anguillians who achieved local, regional and international athletic recognition and won scholarships in formal education. “We hope that many athletes here will do the same,” he continued. “I want to encourage you: if you have the ability, you must have the correct attitude – and your academics must be at a high level so that you can take advantage of these opportunities.“
The Deputy Director of Sports added: “When you participate in sports, you will not only make yourself proud; your parents feel very happy; [but] the school and Anguilla on a whole will be very proud of you. We want to encourage you, while you are participating in sports, and achieving outstanding performances, [to] always remember to be upright and outstanding citizens so that your island can continue to grow through your efforts in sports.”
