PORT ANTONIO, Portland — After a victory march through the town of Port Antonio Monday morning, members of Titchfield High’s winning School’s Challenge Quiz team and those who had a hand in the victory were celebrated and showered with gifts.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Portland Western Daryl Vaz, who congratulated the school’s team, coaches, and staff, was effusive in his praise.

He said he, along with MP for Portland Eastern Ann-Marie Vaz, had compiled a list of goodies to keep the celebration going for a while.

“Nothing beats hard work and dedication, and you did achieve. I will pledge a weekend for the coaches, team members, and their families at Beaches Boscobel, St Mary. That is limited to the immediate family. I will give the team and the coaches a day by themselves to bond and reflect on this achievement at Moon Palace, Ocho Rios, for a day,” said Vaz, who is also minister of science, energy, telecommunications, and transport.

“Each coach and each member of the team will get a laptop computer from me, as minister of technology. This is about working hard, and when you work hard, you will get rewards,” he said.

The minister also had gifts for the wider school community.

“The best performing girl and boy in each form will get a laptop computer, and the second best performing boy or girl will get a tablet,” he said.

He has also committed to donating $100,000 to the victorious team.

Not to be outdone, his wife Ann-Marie lauded the school’s accomplishments and made her own pledges in her capacity as an MP.

“We have supported Titchfield in football, netball, track and field, athletics, and the computer laboratory in years gone by; and today we will be donating $400,000 to the four students of the quiz team,” she said.

Through her Action Ann Foundation, she will also donate $2.5 million to increase the number of birds in the school’s chicken broiler project from 600 to 1,200.

The project provides hands-on skills training for agricultural science students as well as much-needed protein for students engaged in track and field, netball, and football.

“Caribbean Broilers will be providing expertise so that the project is done properly. It will have a slaughterhouse and cooling facility for the chickens. This is what we mean by sustainability. This project will provide food and skills training for our students,” she said.

She also donated $100,000 towards a project being done by the student council.

The Portland Municipal Corporation was also among those bearing gifts. It donated $500,000 to the team, which was presented by Mayor of Port Antonio Paul Thompson and acting CEO Jumaane Robinson.

Standard-bearer for the Opposition People’s National Party Isat Buchanan had his own set of prizes to deliver.

“I am also here to bear gifts,” he announced with a broad grin.

The “pot cover boys”, who banged lids to cheer on the team, were each given six tablets.

“This is because of your hard work in supporting the team,” Buchanan said.

He also gave the Titchfield netball team $100,000 and 12 tablets.

“I have partnered with both Jamaica National and Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS). VMBS will provide wealth accounts for the team members, and Jamaica National, savings accounts that you can use to plan for your future. Always remember that housing is important so you may be able to purchase a house,” said Buchanan.

He added: “I am donating 25 tablets to the institution. I implore you, students, to be involved in extracurricular activities that will teach you values. That is the reason why I can stand here and speak to you as an attorney at law.”