Youth Month Rallies Young Population
~~Adz:Left~~Basseterre, St. Kitts (December 05, 2007): The positive energies of the youth population from St. Kitts and Nevis were reenergized after a month-long celebration with activities ranging from various competitions to a national youth dialogue.
A Super Concert and Excellence Award Ceremony climaxed the November-observance organized by the Department of Youth.
“It is encouraging, refreshing and heartwarming to see young people doing so many positive things,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Youth the Hon. Sam Condor said, while citing the various activities that commemorated the event. He told the huge gathering that assembled at the Bay Road on November 30, that he was extremely proud of the partnerships his Ministry had formed with stakeholders to continue the empowerment of young people.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that we build a strong economy, a good country and also a good civilization where people are involved in humanitarian activities to promote and enhance the way of life for all,” Minister Condor noted, adding that government was proud of the efforts of the hardworking staff of the Department of Youth and its corps of volunteers.
Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas agreed with his deputy and stressed that young people represent “hope and all of the possibilities of the present and the future.”
He explained that activities such as the concert and award ceremony remind the public of what it was like to be young with a world of opportunity before them. As such, he encouraged the public to continue supporting the Department of Youth as well as the youth population as they strive to achieve their full potential.
He also implored youth to work together to lift the nation and challenged them to work with the Youth Department to ensure that the technical resources are utilized to build the capacity of individuals.
Nineteen awards were presented to individuals and agencies that have contributed significantly to youth development this past year. Companies recognized include the St. Kitts Marriot Resort, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority and Youth Impact Ministries. Individual awards were handed out to Antonio Murrain, Amanda Payne and Tonya Desuza for their accomplishments in education. Omari Browne and Khrystus Wallace were recognized for their success in entrepreneurship. The advocacy and leadership category saluted Mutryce Williams and St. Clair “Chico” Guishard while Romaine Belgrove and Terry Morris were recognized for community service.
Other awards went to Pastor Lincoln Connor and Bishop Cyprian Williams in religion, Heidi Slack and Andrea Caines for performing arts and culture while the Special Olympics team, which won 14 medals at the World Games in Shanghai were recognized in sports. The award for Most Distinguished Youth Award went to Nigel Browne while Kevin Morton was awarded the 2007 Director of Youth Award.
