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Edu. Minister urges awardees to be ambassadors

Education Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn (back row, extreme left) challenged recipients of the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows award to take note of the investments being made by the community in helping to make them a success. Photo: VINO
Walwyn noted that while the Government has committed $50,000 a year to the initiative since 2013, it is expected that the amount would be raised next year to $75,000. Photo: VINO
Walwyn noted that while the Government has committed $50,000 a year to the initiative since 2013, it is expected that the amount would be raised next year to $75,000. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith applauded the recipients and said, 'In some ways, you are responsible for helping yourselves to grow.' Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith applauded the recipients and said, 'In some ways, you are responsible for helping yourselves to grow.' Photo: VINO
Scene from the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows award ceremony hosted at the Maria’s By the Sea hotel on March 17, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows award ceremony hosted at the Maria’s By the Sea hotel on March 17, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows award ceremony hosted at the Maria’s By the Sea hotel on March 17, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows award ceremony hosted at the Maria’s By the Sea hotel on March 17, 2014. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn challenged recipients of the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows award to take note of the investments being made by the community in helping to make them a success and urged others to find opportunities to advance their goals as well.

Eight young persons were announced as recipients of the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows award during a ceremony hosted at the Maria’s By the Sea hotel earlier today, March 17, 2014 under the theme: Empowering the future of the Virgin Islands. Six fellowships were awarded in 2013.

“Emerging Fellows, past and present, I remind you of the investment this entire community is making in your success. While I do not want to pressure you all, I remind you that as fellows, through this national award, you are ambassadors of the Virgin Islands. As such we expect many great things from you,” Hon. Walwyn said.

The Emerging Fellows Award, Hon. Walwyn explained, is a competitive national prize that is a funding opportunity to young people in the Virgin Islands between the ages of 10 and 20 who show exceptional promise to achieve in academics, the arts and sports.

He stated that the award provides fellows with the opportunity to enhance their skills and develop their craft through advanced training, exposure and mentorships.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith applauded the recipients and added, "In some ways, you are responsible for helping yourselves to grow. We can provide the avenues where we can and when we can, and it is you who must take the next step, and show interest in your own development."

Increased funding

Hon. Walwyn noted that while the Government has committed $50,000 a year to the initiative since 2013, it is expected that the amount would be raised next year to $75,000 to offer even more young persons opportunities to enhance their skills and develop their craft through training, exposure and mentorships.

He said while fellow Ministers have the opportunity to work on immediately seen aspects of development, he has the honour of working on government’s policies and initiatives to give young people, the future of these Virgin Islands, an opportunity to achieve.

“In education and youth development, investments made are often not immediately noticed, and even when they are seen, it usually takes another decade for us to understand and realise their significance,” Hon. Walwyn said.

He added, “I believe the informed investments we are making in developing our young people today, will secure our Territory’s place as we navigate the unknown waters of the future.”

According to Hon. Walwyn, those informed investments include, encouraging a greater level of patriotism, understanding and appreciation for the Virgin Islands by implementing a Virgin Islands History course in our high schools; a National Citizens Service for our senior students that is intended to have them foster a greater connection to our community and help them find their place in its advancement.

He also encouraged parents to continue to support their children and be on the lookout for summer camps, training sessions and other opportunities to help build their child’s talent.

The 2014 Emerging Fellows are:
• Tia-Racquel Modeste - fourth year student at Bregado Flax Educational Centre will be utilizing this fellowship to attend Interlochen Arts Academy to study Art.
• Shane Liburd – an Assistant Drama teacher at Elmore Stoutt High School will be attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
• Ariq Flax-Charles – a fifth year student at Bregado Flax Educational Centre, who is also the Territory’s junior chef, will be undertaking a culinary career exploration at Jonson and Wales University in North Miami.
• Nia Douglas - a fourth year student at CEDAR International School who has an interest in pursuing a career in journalism will be attending Columbia University’s Summer Programme for high school students
• Tahj Malone - who is presently attending Montverde Academy will be attending the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament in Florida this summer for basketball training
• Kerstin Gordon - a fifth year student at CEDAR International School will be participating in the Elm City Sports Club Summer Squash Camp at Yale University
• Sara Smith - a fourth year student at St. Georges Primary School will be studying dance at the University of Los Angeles
• Tariq Maduro - a fifth year student at Elmore Stoutt High School will be attending Berkley University’s Five Week Summer Performance Programme to study music.

The 2013 Emerging Fellows were: Trevia Gumbs, Tynelle Gumbs, Makayla Maduro, Kalinda Collins, Devika Ramcharitar, and Maisha Henry.

14 Responses to “Edu. Minister urges awardees to be ambassadors”

  • bb (17/03/2014, 16:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    More of the same
  • GOOD!! (17/03/2014, 16:06) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    OK THIS IS GOOD AM VERY PROUD!! THE YOUNG PPL OF THE B.V.I IS ON A ROLL TO GREATNESS!! BUT LET US NOT FORGET...THE OTHER YOUTH TO ME THE GOVERMENT AND PPL OF THE COMMUNITY ONLY FOCUS ON ONE SET OF STUDENT!! IT HAVE SOOOOOO MANY WONDERFUL YOUNG PPL BETWEEN THE AGES 0F 16-20 WITH BIG N BIG HOPE...GOVERMENT PLEASE PLEASE FORCUS ON THE YOUTHS MORE RIGHT NOW THE NEED ALL THE HELP! LOVE AND CARE ALSO GUIDANCE THEY CAN GET!!!!
    • @ GOOD!! (17/03/2014, 17:05) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
      Ok after two years Myron did two things, a 100 thousand dollar dinner and then this…ha ha not bad for two year so we expect two more thing form he before the 4 year expired.
    • chad (18/03/2014, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This program is for children 10 to 29
  • Ty Rexx (17/03/2014, 16:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We old fogeys should be humbled, impressed, appreciative and thrilled! Please keep it up, young people. Those of us who know and love you, and those of us who never met you; we are all proud of you!
  • cool (17/03/2014, 18:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job guys especially to my friend Tia
  • THE BIG SHOW (17/03/2014, 18:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ronnie and Delores don't come to nothing unless theres something in it for them sah.
  • Yes (17/03/2014, 18:51) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    This Walwyn guy is on the move, they can't stop him now.. wow.
  • MB (17/03/2014, 19:00) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    He steal another of fahie idea he needs to stop plagerising
  • mother hen (17/03/2014, 19:08) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    Not a bad idea but mvw only motive is politics and desperate for reelection, he must do at least one thing that is from the heart
  • GoonSquad (17/03/2014, 22:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You sound just like your name...MOTHER HEN!! Just go back on your nest and bury your head..talking piss
  • VG (18/03/2014, 09:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go Ariq!! We love you in VG and at BFEC!!
  • Fat Head (20/03/2014, 03:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    His experiments and tricks to get young ppl to join the NDP and vote for him again will fail.


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