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The 2024 edition of the Jamaica Observer Applaud It! series launched on Sunday November 17 in the boardroom of the Jamaica Observer Media Group’s Beechwood Avenue headquarters in Kingston.

The series is an initiative, that creates an opportunity between industry leaders and students to share a formal meal, engage in social and dining etiquette as well as thought-provoking conversations geared to boost personal and professional development.

Four students from the Wolmer’s Boys School and seven from the Alpha Boys Institute and their teachers were hosted by ApplaudIt! conceptualiser Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald Whyte, Jamaica Observer Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun and Deputy Managing Director Natalie Chin-Samuda to an Applaudit! brunch prepared by Chef Jacqui Tyson.

The group was also joined by special guests, recording artistes and actresses Sevana and Naomi Cowan who were eager to interact and share personal experiences and advice with the students.

As guests took their seats in the boardroom, McDonald Whyte welcomed the gathering to the launch, imploring the students to embrace the opportunity to learn, make mistakes and grow from the experience which will see them thrive in similar surroundings in the future.

Beaubrun then charged the students to be inquisitive in their interactions.

“ApplaudIt! is an example of an opportunity to broaden your knowledge of how to interact and engage in a particular environment not only with individuals who have companies and organisations in Jamaica but allowing you the opportunity to interact with them in their environment,” Beaubrun said. “The idea is that no question is out of bounds. Anything that you want to know in this environment is open to be answered.”

With the formalities complete, the group began their first course introduced by Chef Tyson, a roulade of French toast, topped with fresh fruits and vanilla syrup. McDonald-Whyte demonstrated the proper way to hold the knife and fork and cut bite-sized pieces to enjoy at a leisurely pace. As they concentrated on the first course, Sevana shared her journey with the group, growing from poverty to her rise in the industry.

When Alpha Boys Institute’s Kaheem Norman inquired about her experience thus far in the industry, Sevana said that it is the career that she continues to believe in despite the struggles.

“I have done many jobs but it is the thing that I haven’t given up on. It asks you questions at every turn. But you learn not to internalise it,” Sevana said. “You think about the goals instead. You think about the people who are around you, who are supporting you and love you and believe in you and let those things drive you.”

Cowan for her part, implored her knowledge to the students, particularly Zemell Popley of the Alpha Boys Institute on not only handling cutlery but also presenting themselves with confidence.

“You want to present yourself as if you belong in the room. So by being relaxed, it appears as if you are comfortable in your own skin and you are more confident. The more relaxed you are, even if you are freaking out inside you can play it cool,” Cowan said.

Highlighting her musical journey, Cowan encouraged the students to continue to find their path.

“Never be ashamed to start over and never be ashamed to be embarrassed and to fail. At every chapter of my life, I started over in different ways. I had to stop caring about what people thought in order to fail and it is in that perceived failure, that those opportunities allowed me to grow as an artist and as a person,” Cowan said.

The second course of the day involved linguine pasta topped with a slow-cooked beef bolognese. McDonald Whyte guided the students in twirling, using a fork and a spoon and the students were obliged to perfect their skills. Additionally, they were taught to ‘break, butter and eat’ the dinner rolls that were offered. The students then introduced themselves, discussing their favourite subjects as well as their future aspirations.

The animated discussions picked up during the main course, medallions of thyme-roasted chicken breast and brown sugar-glazed ham with a potato and breadfruit puff finished with fire-roasted tomatoes.

While the eager students continued to fine-tune their skills, Gabriel Haye of Wolmer’s Boys demonstrated the perfect way to seat a lady, as he guided Angelique Beaubrun, wife of Jamaica Observer Managing Director Dominic to her seat. It was to the delight of McDonald-Whyte something that had been taught to Haye by his father.

Chin-Samuda shared her wisdom with the group, highlighting the importance of working together to achieve professional success.

“When you get out in the workforce, you have to surround yourself with really good team members. Start giving them gratitude and support for what it is they are trying to do. It is always easy to get people to work with you but it is hard to get them to stay with you,” Chin-Samuda said.

The meal ended on a decadent chocolate note courtesy of the award-winning chocolatier Nadine Burie. The students and teachers then gathered with the #OTeam and their guests to cut the celebratory cake courtesy of Future Bakery and toasted an excellent start to the week’s proceedings.

Applaudit! continues today Tuesday at Rainforest Caribbean with students from Iris GellyPrimary School.

Photographer: Garfield Robinson