Photo by Ed Gifford
YOUTH TAKES CENTRE STAGE AS ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK CELEBRATES YOUTH SAILORS AND YOUNG ARTISTS
St. John’s, Antigua, April 23, 2024: This year’s Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) pre-event youth focus day took place with the launch of the 2024 Axxess Marine Youth to Keel program and the announcement of this year’s Harper’s School Art Competition. Over 60 young people gathered with family teachers, sailing instructors and sponsors Axxess Marine and Harper’s Office Depot at the National Sailing Academy (NSA).
Alison Sly-Adams announced that 48 Antiguan youths aged 25 and under will be taking part in the racing fleet at this year’s Antigua Sailing Week. “It’s great to see so many young people becoming involved in Sailing and here at NSA we felt that this is the ideal space to showcase our talented and dedicated young people.”
Axxess Marine marketing manager, Reeva Armstrong commented that “We are delighted to continue our participation for the third year as sponsors of the Y2K program, as it underpins our commitment to nurturing the next generation of sailors. “
During the announcement of the assignments to the boats, the participants were presented with their official ASW Axxess Marine Y2K uniform and dry bags to ensure they are well equipped for their time on board the racing vessels.
Senior participants in the program Daniel Brown, Shanoy Malone and Emily Galliard shared their experiences with the freshmen crop of sailors and offered advice on how to get the best from this remarkable opportunity.
Following this presentation, guests were allowed an opportunity to review the art exhibit for the annual Harpers Office Depot School Art Competition where top creative submissions from Clarehall Secondary, Christ the King High (CKHS), All Saints Secondary and St Nicholas Primary, Liberta Primary, Seven Day Adventist (SDA) and Charlesworth Samuel Primary vied for the top prize.
During a brief award ceremony, Summer Goodwin of CKHS was announced as the overall winner from 150 entries from seven schools. This is her third year as the winner at the Antigua Sailing Week Harper’s School Art Competition.
Ms. Goodwin’s colourful and detailed depiction of this year’s competition theme of Ocean Guardian, Goodwin also won in the 13-18 age category.
Ms. Goodwin won the coveted prize of having her picture turned into the welcome poster placed at the Cobbs Cross junction in St. Paul’s. She also won EC$300 worth of art supplies and an EC$125 gift voucher from Harper’s Office Depot and a paint-a-pot session at Magrie Hunt pottery.
“This year, we asked the students to think about Protecting our Ocean Species and illustrate their vision around the issue. And we were bowled over by the number of entries, double the amount of entries in 2023. We also want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Rhonda Williams, one of our champions who made sure that her students entered our competition year after year. Sadly she passed away before we announced this year’s winners. We send our condolences to her family and the staff and students at CKHS.” said Brenda Lee Brown, ASW coordinator.
The People’s Choice Award which is determined on Facebook was won by Jane Hourani of St Nicholas Primary School. Hourani received a bag of creative art supplies from Harper’s Office Depot.
Roy Bento of Harper’s Office Depot Inc. shared his joy at attending this year’s prizegiving event held at the NSA: “I have to commend the students, teachers and parents on this very creative display. We are very proud to be the title sponsor for the past six years and look forward to seeing next year’s entries.”
Harper’s Office Depot also donated the following prizes for each age group: first place winners EC$125 voucher; second place EC100 and third place. Adventure Antigua, Stingray City and ASW committee also donated prizes.
This was the 55th annual school art competition, which started in 1968 to build awareness of the event within a younger non-sailing demographic and encourage students to get creative.
ENDS
Full list of winners:
5 – 8
1. David Weste Nicholas Primary School
2. Teneah Joseph Liberta Primary School
3. Novan Daniel St Nicholas Primary School
Special Mention – Avery Tyrrell St Nicholas Primary School
9 – 12
1. Kalia Tittle Seven Day Adventist School
2. Savanah Holborough St. Nicholas
3. Miah Francis St. Nicholas Primary School
Special Mention – Summer Brooks St. Nicholas primary
13 – 18
1. Summer Goodwin CKHS
2. Jaden Chastanet Clarehall Secondary School
3. Sheriya Benjamin CKHS
Special Mention – Je’Nique Rhodes CKHS
