BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – BEAMING parents, teachers and principals were present at the Matheson House on Taylor’s Range to witness yesterday’s (Mar. 26) prize-giving ceremony of the Know Your Country Primary Schools Quiz Contest.

The competition was an activity of the fourth annual History and Heritage Week, which was held from February 15 to 22 under the theme “Reclaiming our Roots: Our Heritage, Our Environment, Our People”. It was an initiative of the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society (BHFNPS) that sought to facilitate greater awareness and appreciation of national history and heritage through various events and programmes.

Eighteen of the nation’s primary schools entered their best and brightest students into the quiz contest. After rounds of enlightening trivia and questions based on local history, the Dr. William Connor Primary team of Theryce Charles and Kyla Morton were adjudged winners of the third annual competition.

The excited students were presented with trophies, a cheque, a plaque and shield denoting their victory. Additionally, gift coupons and cheques were circulated to every participating school and its pupils.

According to BHFNPS Member Larry Armoury, the competition is a means of directly engaging young persons in history-related activities to foster appreciation for the subject. He noted that although the quiz contest was only one element of the week of activities, it was a very important one because of its youth involvement.

BHFNPS President Sir Probyn Innis congratulated the students and admonished them to be cognisant of the significance of their participation. He also challenged them to take pride in and ownership of the Federation.

“Keep on learning about the history, heritage and culture of our country. This will equip you to handle the future regardless of whatever comes your way.

“But you must also take pride in and have a responsibility towards your country. Once you possess these wonderful commodities, there are some things you would not do because you are aware it would bring dishonour on yourself and/or your country. You must love it, devote your talents to it and work to enhance it,” stressed Innis.

Other activities during the week were open days at Brimstone Hill, panel discussions, public lectures, the Back to Roots Culture Pageant and a food fair and exhibition. The week was sponsored by the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Limited, while the quiz contest wass also sponsored by the Rotary Club of Liamuiga and Leyton Microcomputer Services.