WESTERN BUREAU — Two students from the Little London High School in Westmoreland took the first prize in Category One of Monday’s model ship contest that was staged as part of the activities for the inaugural hosting of a leg of the Americas’ Sail boating competition.

The exhibition, which showcased over 30 model ships constructed by students from the island’s schools, was officially opened at the Montego Bay Civic Centre in Sam Sharpe Square on Monday. It will run until Sunday’s civic ceremony at the same location, which is also a part of the week of activities, scheduled to officially get underway in Port Antonio and Montego Bay between June 14 and 17.

In his address at the brief opening ceremony Ambassador Frank Pringle said he was very impressed with the level of participation and the quality of work that had gone into making the exhibition a reality.

“I want to thank, particularly, our teachers who have been responsible for the students who are now showing their exhibits,” Pringle said.

He also urged students to tour the ships that will participate in the festival of sails when they are docked in Montego Bay’s harbour on Sunday and Monday.

“Go out there and see, feel and touch the ships so that you can appreciate the work that you have done in this exhibition,” Pringle said.

At Monday’s opening ceremony some of the students whose work are now on exhibit were presented with prizes in recognition of their outstanding performance in the ‘Americas’ Sail Model Ship Building Competition’.

The competition, which was organised by the Jamaica Tourist Board, received 35 entries that were then judged in two categories.

In Category One (for students aged 12-15) Ricardo Satahoo and Errol Williams, both students of the Little London High School in Westmoreland, took the first place prize.

The two were responsible for constructing the Satawal canoe, a sailboat used by the Polynesians in the 16th century. The Satawal canoe is a combination of two canoes held together by a platform and was used for transportation, warfare and religious endeavours.

Second place went to Matthew Goode and Antoir Sadaar, both of St Mary High School, who made a replica of Christopher Columbus’ Santa Maria.

Marvin Campbell, a 15 year-old student of Buff Bay High School was awarded the prize for third place.

In the second category, which attracted entries in the 16 to 19 age group, Ricardo McKenzie, a 17 year old-student of Tichfield High School, was placed first.

He constructed a model of the Ancient Greek vessel, called the Trirene, which was invented by the Greeks in 650 BC and was used for trading.

Second place went to Shamika Bell and Nickoy Williams of St James High School while Damien Joseph of HEART Vocational Training Centre, in Above Rocks, St Andrew was placed third.

Americas’ Sail is the premier international sailing event for the western hemisphere during which tall ships ranging in size from 74 to 275 feet, will be racing from Curacao to Montego Bay and Port Antonio. Ships from the Netherlands, Ukraine, Brazil, the United States and Jamaica will be participating in the event.

While they are docked in Montego Bay and Port Antonio from June 14-17, a host of activities are planned for both ports of call.