Karelynne Jimenez took first place in the art competition while Aiden Thompson had the top poetry submission as part of the Environmental Health Division’s Caribbean Mosquito Awareness competition. Photo: GIS

The Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, said that the first-ever Art and Poetry competition held during Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2025 showcased incredible creativity and insight from the participants. Photo: Facebook/File

The competition sought to promote the involvement of children to propagate the message of reducing mosquito breeding sites, commonly known as source reduction. The poetry competition was geared towards children ages 8 to 11, while the art competition sought the attention of children between 12 and 17.

The Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, said that the first-ever Art and Poetry competition held during Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2025 showcased incredible creativity and insight from the participants.

“Participants focused their work on the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and the results were nothing short of impressive. The depth of research and artistic expression displayed highlighted both talent and a strong understanding of the public health issue,” Ms Alexander said in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release.

'Strong foundation for future editions'

Miss Alexander hinted that there would be more of these kinds of activities in the future. “The enthusiasm and quality of submissions have set a strong foundation for future editions.”

For the art competition, Ms Karelynne Jimenez, a grade 7 student of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS), took the top prize, while her schoolmate, grade 10 student U’Nyah Stoutt, was awarded the second-place prize.

For the poetry competition, Aiden Thompson, a grade 5 student at the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School, took the top prize. Jeanee James, a grade 6 student of Pelican Gate, was awarded second place.

All the winners showed up with their parents to a brief congratulatory ceremony held at the office of the Environmental Health Division, where they had the opportunity to share their submissions with the small gathering.