Youth Awards in Anguilla

On September 27^th 2014, the first National Youth Awards was held at Flavours restaurant, La Vue hotel. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see a large crowd of supporters for this event.  Nashaine, Sherise and I were seated with the other nominees and simply relaxed and prepared to enjoy the evening. The restaurant was beautifully decorated. The large flat screen televisions, candles on every table and the beautifully dressed presenters, nominees and audience truly evoked a sense of glitz and glamour during the evening. Allow me to say congratulations to the Ministry of Social Development – Department of Youth and Culture for putting on this event to celebrate and honour the achievements of youth.

The hosts for the ceremony Ms. Samelia Connor (Miss Scotia Bank Talented Teen) and Mr. Clemvio Hodge (Caricom Youth Ambassador) played their role in ensuring the programme flowed smoothly.

There were also a number of powerful performances which added to a memorable evening. Ms. Deanna Mussington who is an up and coming solo artist sang ‘We’re Out to build a new Anguilla’ convincingly and beautifully. Deanna later graced the stage again with her father Darvin Mussington and this duo presented a powerful rendition of ‘The Prayer.’ Their performance was greeted with thunderous applause. Mrs. Susan Best Richardson, one of Anguilla’s premier Gospel artists also sang a moving piece which touched my heart, mind and soul. Then there was the talented Alexis Ryan who presented through spoken word a piece called ‘Our forefathers never took selfies.’ Mr. Bankie Banx, a legendary Anguillian artist ended the evening by singing a motivational song to encourage and remind all nominees and all others present that ‘we could do anything.’

 

The big screens were used to show pictures of the nominees and videos and helped to keep the evening interesting as nominees waited in anticipation for their area of awards to be called.

The Awards and winners are below.

 Awards for Excellence in Public Service

Outstanding Organisation for Faith Based Achievements – The Anguilla Pathfinders

Community Service Award – Blowing Point Youth Development Centre

Esteemed Volunteer Award – Kasseem Forde

Friend of Youth Award – Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC)

Awards for Excellence in Personal Development

Academic and Extra Curricula Excellence Awards – Zipporah Bannister

Outstanding Youth in Sports – Zharnel Hughes

Outstanding Youth in Entrepreneurship – Confetti Dust Studio

 Awards for Excellence in the Arts

Outstanding Youth in Visual Arts – Janay Raymond

Outstanding Youth in Media – Crispin Brooks

Outstanding Youth in Literary Arts – Shellecia Brooks-Johnson (My Anguilla Experience)

Outstanding Youth in Performing Arts – Amber Woodley

Awards for Excellence in Leadership

Minister of Youth Affairs Excellence in Leadership Award – Kasseem Forde

Congratulations to All

My Anguilla Experience would like to say congratulations to all the nominees and all the winners for the National Youth Awards. The fact that you were nominated and/or won speaks volumes to the fact that you are making an impact on the Anguillian community. Continue to follow your dreams as your work inspires others to follow their dreams.

We would also like to thank the National Youth Award committee chaired by Mr. Sanford Richardson for doing a great job of selecting the winners for the evening. I have no doubt that the second annual National Youth Awards will be even more spectacular and that the number of nominations will continue to increase as so many youth in Anguilla are doing wonderful things. Mr. Romney, Hyacinth, Joleyne and the rest of the team, job well done.Thanks to the Minister of Social Development – Mr. Jerome Roberts for presenting the awards along with other members of the committee.

Other Pictures from the Evening

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy our blog about the Teacher’s Awards which were held earlier in the year.

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