Festival queen launches project

More than 700 students and their teachers at Mountain View Primary School in Kingston will benefit from a cultural and environmental project spearheaded by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Miss Kingston and St Andrew 2016 Festival Queen, Shanique Shand.

Called Project Cultural and Environmental Outreach, it aims to inspire positive change through cultural awareness and environmental responsibility.

It will be driven through the school’s cultural and environmental clubs, with activities such as essay and poster competitions, quizzes, awards, clean-up and tree-planting exercises, farming and tours of heritage sites.

“As a society, I believe that we don’t have enough appreciation for the natural environment and the natural treasures that we have as a country, and so I am trying to reignite that passion, especially in the young people,” Shand said.

Since the launch of the project in October, Shand said several partners have come on board to assist with its execution.

Individuals and friends have also pledged to donate cash prizes and gift baskets for winners of the various competitions, she adds.

In an effort to preserve Jamaica’s cultural heritage, Shand will host a Miss and Mr Mountain View Primary School Cultural King and Queen Competition, scheduled to take place at the end of the school year.

“This will allow the students to expose their talent. It is a replica of the Festival Queen Competition, but it will incorporate the boys to give them a sense of belonging and expose their talent, and to have that sense of purpose,” she explained.

Another important aspect of the project is a waste management system on the school grounds.

Apart from helping the students to be responsible stewards of the environment, Shand said it will help to minimise the number of plastic bottles in the environment.

Six bins, donated by Eyeland Eyewear for the collection of plastic bottles, have been installed at the school.