Christmas came early Friday afternoon last for 15 students of the Iris Gelly Primary School’s grades 5 and 6 classes. They made their way along the red carpet to the boardroom, where they found their name cards and individual menus at a festively decorated table. Their hosts were senior executives at Rainforest Seafoods, helmed by CEO Brian Jardim.

The students were delighted to share with the executives their academic successes, their high schools of choice post-GSAT exams, and their hopes for Jamaica.

It was the third time hosting the primary school students for the company that has literally adopted them, ensuring hearty snacks are available for their homework centre, water when the school is without and computers for the lab. The luncheon marked yet another sitting of the Jamaica Observer‘s third annual Applaud It! which is a week-long initiative that provides a unique opportunity for Jamaica’s corporate pathfinders to meet the next generation exactly where they are and guide them through social and dining skills.