On 23 January, the Lawns of Jamaica House was filled with cheers, as 31 youths were awarded at the annual celebration of the Prime Minister Youth Awards for Excellence.

The youths, ages between 15 and 24, excelled in the nine categories — sports, academics, agriculture, arts and culture, entrepreneurship, leadership, international achievement, journalism and youth in service — were awarded.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in his opening remarks encouraged the youths to let their light shine and continue aiming for excellence.

“When I looked at what some of these youths have accomplished at such tender an age. It would have been enough if it had been what had been accomplished in a whole lifetime. What they have done, is what we would like to expect of all our young people. These persons who have been nominated have been extraordinary, for they have done extraordinary things,” Golding said.

“I want to pay tributes to the nominees, but I also want to aim some of my remarks at the hundreds of thousand of young people who are not among the nominees. Some may not be listening, but I hope that they will be told. I want to call on them, why do I want to do that? Age has it’s advantages, but youth have even greater advantages. Get up, stand up. Stand up for your rights and take your place in this society, that is more yours than it is ours. There is a star in every one of us, let it shine, let it shine,” Bruce Golding said, as he tried to use the occasion to motivate and encourage all the youths within our society.

The ceremony was hosted by Lady Rennae and Ricardo Chambers. In salute to the youths for their achievements, Vauxhall High School, Rousseau Primary School, Tivoli Dance Troupe, reggae artist Khago, Untouchable Squad, Tessane Chin and Samantha Strachan performed in the form of singing and dancing.

The Prime Minister’s Youth Award is one of the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a Jamaican youths. This national honour started in 1998, and has been conferred upon young Jamaicans who have achieved excellence. The awards was rescheduled last year, due to financial restraints faced by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, responsible for planning the event.

The Awardees

Academics

Nakeeta Nembhard

Alyssa Morgan

Javian Malcolm

Midhun Thomas

Youth in Service

Marlon Thompson

Yanique DaCosta

Kenisha Aleen

Dei-Rasi Freckleton

Ruth-Ann Lawrence

Victoria Melhado

Agriculture

Nicholas Powell

Arts & Culture

Jarvis Dawkins

Rayon McLean

Laura-Anne Fung

Troy Rodgers

Entrepreneurship

Tyrone Wilson

Edward-Marshall Case

Leadership

Aubrey Stewart

Sean Davis

Jamar Howell

International Achievement

Shena Moulton

Team Xorm consisting of Derron Brown, Markel Mair, Dwayne Samuels and Shawn McLean

Team Educ8 consisting of Trevior Williams, Warren Robinson, Carey McKenzie and Trecia Thompson.

Journalism

Benton McTaggart

Sports

Samardo Samuels

Odean Skeen

Yohan Blake

Sasha Gay Marston

Stefanie Taylor

Clive Pullen

Shanel Daley

The organisation service award – Children First Agency.