The Social Development Commission (SDC) in collaboration with the Gibraltar Development Area Committee recently hosted a reading competition to improve literacy in four schools in St Ann.

Grade four students from Madras All Age, Gibraltar All Age, Linton Park All Age and Retirement Primary schools who participated in the first staging of the event dubbed, ‘Read For a Brighter future’ wowed parents, teachers and the many stakeholders in attendance at the inaugural competition held at the Gibraltar Baptist Church in the parish.

The day’s activities included reading, quiz, and parent/child reading competitions.

Linton Park All Age duo of Amahni Campbell and Jodeen Kelly emerged winners in the quiz competition. Although they were only two up against teams with four members, they were obviously well prepared and emerged with the first “Read for a Brighter Future” title. Retirement Primary walked away with the second prize in the quiz competition. Linton Park for their brilliance received the SDC trophy along with a $12,000 book voucher. They also received a tablet computer for their school.

Campbell was a favourite among the participants as he boldly read and expressed himself. He was placed second in the reading competition securing yet another medal for Linton Park All Age. He also won for himself a portable DVD player. Kristine Williams of Gibraltar All Age was the winner of the reading competition and was presented with a tablet, while Retirement Primary student Jalani Yorke who was third, received an MP3 player.

The students were also presented with gift bags from the Jamaica Public Service and gift vouchers from KFC.

Linton Park All Age concluded the day winning the parent/child reading competition, after Tameka McPherson and her son Ty-Rique Clarke impressed the judges. McPherson received a day pass for two to Beaches Boscobel.

There were numerous giveaways from the various participating businesses.

The organisers and sponsors were quite pleased with the event and dubbed the first staging a major success.

“All the schools did well,” Richardo Aiken, St Ann parish manager for the SDC said. He congratulated the parents and teachers who took the time to work with the students to bring a very entertaining and highly competitive contest.

Aiken also lauded the private sector for the emphasis placed on reading through the sponsorship of the competition.

The sponsors also expressed pleasure at being able to participate in the event.

“JPS is excited to be apart of this,” Janice Carr, acting parish manager for JPS in St Ann said, adding that through reading persons can reach their full potential.

Principal of Linton Park Primary Donald Jones, was also very excited that his team of two stood out.

“One of our students lost her grandmother and couldn’t cope,” he explained. However, he was happy that the team did exceptionally well.

The competition was staged under one of eight programmes currently being undertaken by the SDC in rural communities.