Jessie Ripoll Primary and Ardenne High top Heritage comps
JESSIE Ripoll Primary’s Orion Isaacs and Ardenne High School’s Juve McKenzie scored big in the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) annual Heritage Essay Competition and the inaugural poster competition, respectively.
The two placed first in the competitions and received trophies, certificates, as well as cash prizes sponsored by corporate entities at the 2014 awards ceremony, held on Friday at King’s House in St Andrew.
Placing second and third in the essay competition were students at Yallahs Primary School Michael Johnson and Ardenne Preparatory School’s Accalia Plummer, respectively. For the poster competition, second place went to student of Wolmer’s Boys’ School’s Ryan Scott, and third to Manchester High’s Javoannie Robinson.
Students aged nine to 12 years where asked to respond to the question ‘Which Heritage site is most significant? And why?’
Isaacs won in the essay segment for his piece on the history of Port Royal, and Juve, for his poster on people who have pushed through hardships.
Governor General Patrick Allen, who delivered the keynote address, said the competitions motivate young people to conduct research on the nation’s culture and heritage, and also “encourage talent and foster creativity through depiction of our rich diverse heritage”.
He told the students that the competitions should inspire them to make their mark and contribution to the country.
“I want you to always believe in yourselves…you have done well. I hope that the competition has awakened in you a thirst for learning, and you will remember that learning never ends,” Sir Patrick said.
Meanwhile, chief executive officer of the JIS, Donna Marie Rowe, explained that competitions are geared at providing an “avenue for adolescents to express their ideas about Jamaica’s history and culture, particularly about Independence and Emancipation”. Commending the creative work of the students, who also received certificates in the various categories, she said it was “quite an experience viewing our heritage sites from a child’s perspective. Our writers took us all over Jamaica; we journeyed through the centuries.”
