Minister Condor says youth not marginalised
…no plausible reason for criminal activity
Basseterre, St. Kitts - IN his feature address at the 2008 Liamuiga Youth Legacy Awards, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Youth Sam T. Condor said that young people in St. Kitts and Nevis have boundless opportunities and amenities at their disposal, thus there is no plausible reason for the spate of criminal activity that has been plaguing the nation.
He said that the youth are more a lot more fortunate than their predecessors as they have the opportunity to enter tertiary learning institutions as soon as they graduate from high school, as there is access to scholarships, the ease of obtaining financing from financial institutions and as they have access to community centers and sporting facilities.
He noted that with the increased access to and advancement in technology, young people may also seek the opportunity to educate themselves as well as others. He said that the LYLAA awardees past and present are examples that people can choose a positive as opposed to a negative way of life. He said that they are exemplars that scholarship, leadership and service are attainable.
In his address, Minister Condor shared his childhood experiences with the awardees, families and well-wishers. He asked, “Who would have thought that a young man from Mc Knight who went to school without shoes and in flour bag shirt would hold the second highest office in the land or graduate from Oxford when there were so many obstacles and pitfalls that could have deterred him?” ~~Adz:Right~~
He said that his life and that of the Speaker of House, Curtis Martin, who comes from similar circumstance, are testimony that the youth can overcome any obstacle and attain their dreams. He said that despite the challenges that he faced, owing to his socio-economic disposition, he persevered and attained excellence. Minister Condor said that society should not encourage the conduct of the deviants by finding excuses for their behaviour but rather hold them accountable for their actions.
The Minister told the 2008 awardees that they have a legacy to upkeep as they would be joining the rank of the prestigious awardees who had gone before them and who through their quest for scholarship, leadership and service were continuing to do the nation proud.
This year’s awardees are Guidance Counsellor at the Washington Archibald High School (WAHS) Naeemah Hazelle-Menon; state scholar and local preacher Azard Gumbs, who was the Runner-up; CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Youth Ambassador Ian Richards; co-designer of the national wear and recipient of Sandy Point High School teacher award for extracurricular activities, Dwayne Weekes; calypsonian Tonicia ‘Queen Anastasia’ Hodge-Martin; President of the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) Azilla Clarke; past president of the Rotaract Club, community activist, Dominic Mathew; and Pastor Lincoln Connor, Guidance Counsellor at WAHS and pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church.
Minister Condor said that the LYLAA Awards had become an annual highlight for him and praised the efforts of Ms. Mutryce A. Williams, founder/chairperson of the organisation for the vision and implementation of LYLAA. He also noted the contributions of the directors of the organisation as well.
The Liamuiga Youth Legacy Awards Association is an Honour Society that recognises young citizens of St. Kitts ages 16 through 35 who have lived exemplary lives of Scholarship, Leadership and Service. Each year the association seeks outstanding, well rounded young individuals who are agents of change and who have contributed to the development of their respective communities and to St. Kitts. Since its inception in 2004.
LYLAA has also honoured Sharalee Benjamin-Kelly, Shamara Morton, Janelle Lewis, Fadil Imo, Terrance Martin, Steve Whittaker, Geoffrey Hanley, Deidre Daniel, Claricia Langley, Jacqueline Bryan, Clive Saunders, Stachio Williams, Jenson Morton, Nigel Browne, Winnielle Guilbert, Diana Williams, Janelle Powell, Michelaena Mills, Pierre Liburd, Konris Maynard, Von Michael Martin, Gloria Esdaille, Francil Morris, Jihan Williams, Joyelle Clarke, Candisie Franklin, Sudeakka Francis, Dr. Garfield Alexander, Khrystus Wallace, Mrs. Lavern Louard Greaves and Mr. Leslie ‘Sugar Bowl’ Morton.
