SVG youths recognised for achievement

Sixteen of this country’s young people were recognized for their individual achievements as the Youth Affairs Division held its annual National Youth Awards last Monday, October 24, at Frenches House in Kingstown.{{more}}

The event was held under the theme ‘Investing in youth, transforming our nation’ and marks the end of the activities to celebrate Youth Month.

Categories ranged from academics to sports to culture, and the list included:

Alron Harry and Jessica Prescott, Common Entrance exams; Mbeki Swift and Kayrel Edwards, CSEC examinations; Sunil Ambris, cricket; Kevin Hannaway, squash; Brandon Bristol, swimming; Sheldeen Joseph, basketball; Kemelius Boyea, drama; Shada Barker, song; C.W Prescod Primary School, dance; Storm Halbich, Tourism; Jamal Edwards, special award junior saver of the year; Ramiche McLean, agriculture; Dowaine Rodgers, entrepreneurship, and the CHLP Club SVG, community group of the year.

The ceremony also awarded certificates to forty-one persons who were part of the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme, a new initiative to recognize the work done by young people.

And so Minister of National Mobilisation, Youth, Sport etc Frederick Stephenson spoke of government’s continued commitment to assisting the young people.

He said that this was evident from the various programmes and strategies implemented to ensure that young people participate in self and national development.

Stephenson said that more programmes would be initiated, but warned that it could not be left up to the government departments alone to do the task.

He urged the awardees to be positive role models.

“When we look at the news, we see deviant behaviour among our young people especially young males,” Stephenson said.

He challenged those present to take their positive attitudes out to the rest of the community.

The Minister further contended that youth involved in illegal activities also needed to be embraced.

He blamed the media for portraying the youth in a negative light.

Deputy Speaker of the House Senator David Browne also shared the same sentiments, saying that the media needed a different approach to dealing with young people and the issues which affect them.

“I am recommending more balanced reporting that not only highlights the negative, but also the positive contribution of our young people,” Browne said.

He was of the view that constant negative representation had the potential of causing more harm, and caused people to have the misconception that all youth are destined for a path of self destruction.

According to Browne the energy from young people, once channeled correctly, could contribute significantly to nation building.

“If we constantly criticize them, then they will feel that their future is bleak and they act accordingly.”

“It is therefore imperative that we adopt some positive attitudes towards our youth in order to maintain a culture of success,” Browne contended. (DD)