B.V.I. Tuesday, October 27 – Premier and Minister for Tourism Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE has extended hearty congratulations to two of the Territory’s students for their good showing in the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Foundation Children’s Essay Contest.
The Premier’s congratulatory remarks were contained in separate letters written to Ms. Zhane Stoutt of the Ivan Dawson Primary School and Ms. Monel Tiana Marcellin of the Bregado Flax Educational Centre - Secondary Division on Virgin Gorda.
Ms. Stoutt reached the final round in the junior division of the 2009 essay contest which was open to students 12 years and under while Ms. Marcellin made it to the final round in the senior category for students 13 to 16 years old.
In the letters, Honourable O’Neal wrote “This is really wonderful and like you, we are pleased with this announcement.”
He also wrote, “I know that you and your family are proud of this achievement and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your future endeavours and pray God’s blessings on you as you continue your studies.”
Accompanying the letter from the Premier and Tourism Minister were cheques valued at $200 forwarded for each student by the FCCA.
Honourable O’Neal has also penned letters to the principals of the schools being attended by the students in which he congratulated the staff on the achievements of the respective students.
“I know that you and your staff are proud of this achievement and I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to continue encouraging your students to participate in these events,”
Honourable O’Neal wrote in the letters to Mrs. Elaine Penn of the Ivan Dawson Primary School and Mrs. Caryl O’Neal Alexander of Bregado Flax Educational Centre.
Students participating in the 2009 FCCA Essay Contest were required to write on the topic, During this global economic turndown, what can a destination, which lives on tourism do to persuade more ships to come to their destination?
The annual contest is designed to create greater awareness among regional youth with regard to the tourism industry, which is a significant economic contributor in many of the islands including the Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News