Junior Achievement honours 2017 champions at awards banquet

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT (JA) Jamaica awarded organisations and teachers at its fifth annual Champions for Youth Awards Banquet and Silent Auction, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston recently. The awards recognised the top teacher in each parish as well as companies and institutions which were considered most impactful in helping Junior Achievement to reach its goal of empowering over 10,000 youth during the 2016-2017 period.

Guest speaker for the event, Ambassador Luis Moreno, who is also a former Junior Achievement alumnus, commended the awardees for their commitment to helping JA Jamaica accomplish its mission. He added that USAID was proud to be associated with the organisation as it uses these projects to strengthen youth development in Jamaica.

Thr pesident of JA Jamaica, in outlining JA’s pillar of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness, thanked the volunteers, partners, sponsors and board members for the support they have given in strengthening JA programmes and the success of the organisation to date. This continued support will be required as the organisation rolled out its JACE programme to grade-nine students in all high schools across the island.

Departing member of the JA executive board and President & CEO of Jamaica Public Service Kelly Tomblin was honoured with a citation for her contribution to the board over the last three years.

The organisations awarded at the banquet included CB Group, Citibank, EY, OAS, FLOW, Financial Services Commission, RJRGLEANER Communications Group, Insurance Company of the West Indies, Spanish Court Hotel, JPS Foundation, JMMB, HEART Trust-NTA, Western Union Foundation and Scotiabank.

The teachers awarded were Racquel Ambersley (St James), Orlene Miller Campbell (Hanover), Kimoy Benjamin (Clarendon), Margaret Phillips (Kingston), Tamar Miles (St Andrew), Kerrion Palmer (Portland), Marvia Sutherland (St Thomas), Careen James-Barnett (St Catherine), Kishelle Williamson (St Mary), Michelle Bennett (St Ann), Orie Robinson (Manchester), Vernique Felix (Westmoreland), Marlene Linton (Trelawny) and Eugenia Collins (St Elizabeth).

JA Jamaica gave the stage to its alumni to lead the event and recognised these individuals and organisations at the event.

From Left: Nadene Newsome, operations manager, Junior Achievement Jamaica, presents a gift basket to Bobby Francis of York Castle High School in appreciation of his emcee duties at the fifth annual Junior Achievement Champions For Youth Banquet at The...

Bobby Francis, student at York Castle High School, greets United States Ambassador Luis Moreno while Alphie Mullings Aiken, president, Junior Achievement Jamaica, looks on.

Akeem Bryan, student at York Castle High School, serenades the audience.

Bobby Francis, student at York Castle High School, was the master of ceremonies.