BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – D’DRON GRIFFIN, one of the Federation’s brightest young artists, was recognised today (Mar. 31) for his second-place finish in the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Children’s Environmental Poster Contest.
A student of the Basseterre High School (BHS), Griffin received a cash prize of US$1 500 for his achievement. The budding painter competed in the senior division (ages 13 to 16) against entries from 16 other Caribbean islands.
According to Minister of Tourism Hon. Ricky Skerritt, the competition challenged participants to use art as a medium to express ways in which their country could preserve the environment. Griffin’s winning poster focused on three major areas; stopping pollution, practicing conservation methods and thinking green.
He further stated that entries were judged on creativity, relevance to the environmental theme and content and quality of the presentation. Skerritt noted Griffin had brought honour to his school, his family and his country.
BHS was also a winner, as it received US$1 500 from the FCCA to purchase art resources in a brief ceremony held earlier today at its auditorium. Principal Urlene Bloice-Roberts congratulated Griffin and encouraged the assembled students to use the funds to develop their artistic abilities.
As another indication of the burgeoning artistic talent within the Federation, Nevis’ Kelsia Liburd placed second in the junior division and was awarded US$1 5000.
Human Resource and Project Manager of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Novelette Morton, stressed the need for local schools to continue participating in the competition. She called it “a worthwhile endeavour” that would promote and stimulate environmental awareness among students.
