WHILE hundreds of people across the world were celebrating the achievements of women in observance of International Women’s Day yesterday, six “little women” were showered with tributes at a function in Kingston dubbed Girls’ Day 2007.

Six students from grades one through to six at the St Aloysius Primary School were honoured for their performance throughout the year, while one lucky girl walked away clutching the “Girl of the Year” trophy.

To excited cheers of encouragement from their colleagues, the beaming recipients – Kiandra Edwards, Shea Thompson, Jodie-Ann Williams, Christine Cain, Candice Constantine and Crystal Shaw – collected their miniature trophies and medals. Leading the pack was fifth grader Candice Constantine, who was voted the “Girl of the Year”.

Principal Pauline Stephenson said the students were selected based on their overall performance.

“They were selected based on how they interacted socially with the other students, how knowledgeable they were of current events and so on. They were also given a written presentation, but Constantine got the highest mark for overall performance,” Stephenson said.

The students spent the morning being regaled by dramatic presentations and several activities, led by past students of the school. The annual Girls’ Day treat had as its theme, ‘Women Making their Mark’.

Stephenson said the programme was one of several implemented to promote the institution’s thrust for achievement and excellece, particularly since the majority of the students live in inner-city communities in downtown Kingston.