In an effort to give back to our loyal readers, the TEENage Observer Magazine and the Study Centre collaborated with National Commercial Back, Tastee and Freshhh to host the first leg of the annual Jamaica Observer Lectures Series Workshop. The event, which recently took place at Jamaica College on March 21, 2010, treated the approximately 500 students in attendance to six-hour lecture sessions for both Mathematics and English. The day was divided into two sessions, begining at 9:00 am after a brief introduction in the auditorium which focused on preparing for exams. The students were then divided into smaller groups and escorted to respective classrooms to begin the morning session. There, highly qualified senior teachers and contributors to the Study Centre guided the sessions and coached the students on a number of studying and examination techniques that the students found to be very helpful.

After the morning, session was concluded the students returned to the auditorium were they were provided with free lunches of scrumptious patties and sandwiches as well as beverages, which was made possible by our sponsors Tastee and Freshhh. The students were also provided with the latest edition of the TEENage and Study Centre to browse during their lunch break. After lunch, the students were once again escorted to the various classes to facilitate the evening session and the remaining lectures.

By the end of the day, Belinda Williams, Manager of Corporate Communications for National Commercial Bank, awarded $10,000 each to two champion students of Mathematics and English. Kacy Miller of Meadowbrook High School – the Mathematics champion, and Samantha-Rae McLean of Excelsior High School – the English champion, walked away as the Kingston winners after winning their respective competitions. These competitions boasted the intelligence of our local students and showed but only a sample of the potential of our youth.

Grateful for this experience, the English champion Samantha-Rae McLean, gave some rewarding views to the English lecturer, claiming that she (Mrs. Sonia Lee) was “encouraging and spontaneous.” Other responses about the English lectures also were positive, highlighting how helpful and entertaining the sessions were. The students were also encouraged to remember that when in the exam, they should focus on the sections that carry the most marks and worry less about those that do not.

Similar to the English sessions, the Mathematics sessions were just as uplifting and the students enjoyed this time as well. Orette Fisher, from Kingston College, stated that the session helped him to have a greater confidence in the subject area. Brandon Gibbons, also of Kingston College stated that the techniques that were discussed were easy to remember and very helpful. While another student, Brian Curtis stated that he learnt some things that he had not quite grasped while at his school.

The next leg of the Jamaica Observer’s Lecture Series, will be held in Montego Bay on April 18, 2010 at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School. Continue to read the TEENage Observer Magazine for details.