by Eulana Weekes
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Six young people, three males and three females from St Thomas’ Parish, Constituency 5, Nevis received Awards of Excellence on Saturday, AprilĀ 23, 2022.
Mr. Geval Wallace received an award for his contribution to Sports. Wallace was an outstanding athlete throughout Primary and Secondary School and also represented St Kitts and Nevis on the regional and international scene, through his participation at the Caribbean Union of Teachers Games, CARIFTA Games and Whitsuntide Games. According to his profile, “Most of the coaching fraternity on Nevis agree on one thing about this athlete; he is very near the top when ranking the most naturally talented athletes the island has produced.”
Ms. Vincia Sturge was awarded in the areas of Veterinary Health and Entrepreneurship. Sturge has been employed with the Department of Agriculture since 2009Ā and has obtained an Associates Degree in Agricultural Studies, Diploma in Animal Health Production and Veterinary Public Health. Sturge is also the founder of BeVdazzled Studio, located at her home in Barnes Ghaut. As stated in her profile, “She provides personalised items upon request for customers and sells events and birthday packages.”
Mr. Travis Reid was recognized in the area of Firefighting. Reid has been a firefighter in the St Kitts-NevisĀ Fire and Rescue Services for the past five years. He is empowered to uplift, serve and protect everyone around him. As mentioned in his profile, firefighting is more than extinguishing fires, “it is about connecting with, educating and protecting all civilians from the tragedies of fire.”
Recognized in the areas of Academics and Volunteerism, Ms. Keishara Liburd was a successful student who graduated from the Nevis Sixth Form College with an Associates Degree in Business Studies- Accounts. She was then employed at a local financial institution where she developed a keen interest for the industry, thus furthering her education. She now holds a degree in Banking and Finance- Compliance and Corporate Governance Minor with honours, from the University of the West Indies- Open Campus and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Certificate. As it relates to Volunteerism, Liburd is a member of the Rotaract Club of Nevis, president of her church youth group and often works voluntarily behind the scenes for various community events.
Another awardee, Mr. Jahvian Barrett was recognized for his contribution to Music. According to his profile, Barrett started drumming at the age of one, when he received his first drum as a Christmas gift. Barrett was the drummer in the Charlestown Primary School Steel Orchestra, Steel on Fire Orchestra and also played in the school’s iron band. Throughout his high school years, he played the drums in the Nevis Pan Ensemble. Ā Barrett also has a passion for masquerades, the big drum, African drum and the kettle drum. In 2017 he travelled to Barbados for CARIFESTA as a part of OKOLO Drum Core.Ā In October 2018, at the age of 16Ā Barrett started the Nu Wave Band with a group of high school friends. He was the only student in the Charlestown Secondary School 5th form graduating class of 2019 to write the Music Exam at the CSEC Level, which he passed.Ā According to his profile, Barrett hopes to pursue a career in the music industry, owning a studio, managing music artists and producing his own music.
In addition, Woman Police Constable Hillarine Hercules was awarded in the area of policing. She has served in The Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force for six and a half years. She currently works in the Task Force Division and often patrols throughout the community.
As detailed in her profile, Hercules enjoys meeting and socialising with people as it creates trust between the community and the police, thus building a better and safer community. It is her desire to one day obtain a degree in law and move up the ranks of the police force.
The 2nd annual St Thomas’s Parish Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner was held at Dew Drops Restaurant and Bar, Westbury, hosted by Ms. Latoya Jones. The awards were presented by the Deputy Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Alexis Jeffers.
Jones quoted the words of Sam Altman, “Young people willing to push super hard to make something happen are amongst the most powerful forces in the world.”Ā She, therefore, took the opportunity to commend the awardees on their successes.
