BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE maxim ‘It pays to read’ proved to be more than figurative to eight-year-old Kadeema Blanchette as she emerged the winner in the St. Kitts finals of the COURTS Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Reading Competition.
The local competition began some three weeks ago with every primary school putting forward their best eight and nine-year-old readers. Following a series of zonal eliminations, five of the nation’s finest readers made it to the finals, which were held yesterday (Oct. 8).
Tyrell Williams Primary’s Denaldo Huggins, Tucker Clarke Primary’s Kadeema Blanchette and Estridge Primary’s Zhanel Akers rendered outstanding reading performances and represented their respective zones with flying colours in the finals.
Gabriella Brantley of the Ivor Walters Primary School and Zachary Gonsalves of George Moody Stewart School were also identified as the best young readers in their zones, having been tested on their articulation and expression in the finals.
Judges were given the difficult responsibility of determining one winner from the finalists, who demonstrated that they are all experienced readers and can express themselves well.
Kadeema Blanchette was eventually selected as the most outstanding and was recognized for her careful pronunciation and overall presence.
For first place, Blanchette received EC $2 000 and her school benefited with a cheque for the same amount. Gabriella Brantley displayed her brilliance through her reading and emerged first runner-up, walking away with EC $1 000. Second runner-up Zachary Gonsalves came in close and impressed the audience with his fluency. He was awarded EC $750, while all of the other finalists were awarded with EC $500 cash prizes.
COURTS (SKN) Branch Manager Sharon Herbert told SKNVibes that the company was pleased to sponsor the event, as it provided an opportunity for students to regain interest in reading. She noted that the quality of reading rendered by the grade-schoolers was very impressive, adding that COURTS will continue to invest toward high standards of literacy.
“We are very much committed to education. This kind of investment is and will always be ongoing as we realize that reading gives knowledge and knowledge is power. As far as COURTS is concerned, we are going to continue giving sponsorship when it comes to education and children. That’s a commitment we have made,” Herbert said.
In late October, Blanchette is expected to represent St. Kitts-Nevis at the regional competition in Dominica, where she will compete with young readers from the OECS.
