A little boy, eight years-old to be exact, stole the spotlight at yesterday’s National Honours and Awards Ceremony at the Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston where just under 200 Jamaicans were recognised for their contribution to nation building.

When Don-Christopher Alexander Barnes took his place among the seven brave individuals on the red carpet to receive their Badge of Honour for Gallantry from Governor-General Sir Kenneth Hall, the adults there towered over him.

But the audience reserved their longest and loudest applause for Barnes, who saved his friend, Akeem, from drowning on August 20.

There was no sign of nervousness on the little fellow’s face as he went through the motions. He, however, later told the Observer that he felt a bit “scared because I didn’t want to make a mistake”.

“It feels kinda weird,” he said of being the smallest honouree.

And as to whether he would do it again, Barnes, who was recommended for the honour by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, gave an emphatic “yes”.

His proud mother, Christine Barnes, said she was “overwhelmed and proud” of her son. His friend Akeem was also at the ceremony but was lost in the crush that followed the ceremony.

But while Barnes might have stolen the show, dozens of other Jamaican stalwarts were recognised for their contribution to education, religion, community service, medicine, entrepreneurship, sports, the military, the police, music and the arts.

The recipients were conferred with the Order of Jamaica, which is the fifth highest honour; the Order of Distinction Commander Class; the Order of Distinction Officer Class; the Badge of Honour for Gallantry; Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service and the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service in a close to three-hour-long ceremony which began promptly at 9:00 am.

Uncertain weather conditions forced the organisers to move the ceremony inside the Sports Centre, instead of at its traditional venue, the lawns of King’s House, the official residence of the governor-general.

Those conferred with the Order of Jamaica were Bishop Herro Blair; Steve Bucknor; Auditor-General Adrian Strachan; banker William ‘Bill’ Clarke; Professor Edwin Jones; Keble Munn; and Dorothy Pine-McLarty.

Speaking with the Observer afterwards, Blair said “I owe it all to my nation”.

“I’m happy that somehow I have been recognised, but notwithstanding, this will not deter me from continuing to serve,” he said.

Strachan, who was also recommended for the honour by Prime Minister Golding, said he “was highly appreciative of the honour”.

“It’s always very nice to know that your country believes that what you have tried to do is of some merit and I would like to include my staff in this honour because I was only able to do what I did because of their co-operation,” Strachan said.

Among the recipients of the Order of Distinction, Commander Class were entertainer Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell; former director-general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Dr Barbara Carby; CEO of Pulse Model Agency, Kingsley Cooper; Captain Barrington Irving; and Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan for pioneering work in early childhood development and healthcare.

Included in those presented with the Order of Distinction, Officer Class, were psychiatrist Dr Wendel Abel; head of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, Edith Allwood-Anderson; president of the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association, Allan Rickards; Reggae singer Luciano and Dr Carlene Davis-Cowan.

Also present at the ceremony were Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and husband Errald, as well as former governor-general of Jamaica, Sir Howard Cooke, who was celebrating his 92nd birthday.

Cooke said that while elated at the milestone, he was somewhat “disappointed” that he had not been able to make recommendations for a posthumous award to be given in honour of former industrial relations specialist and board member of the Observer, Dr George Phillip, who died in March.

“I missed him, I was hoping they would let me do something to honour him,” Sir Howard told the Observer.