Chief Youth Development Officer John Roach is giving the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) high praise for the largest National Youth Award Ceremony.
On Saturday evening the NYCD recognized 19 young people for their efforts at youth empowerment and talent.
According to Roach, the award ceremony is not only a recognition of the youth’s talent, but it also serve as a motivator to others.
“What the NYCD had been doing for the past nine years with the National Youth Awards, is in fact cultivating these talents and ambition and consequently motivating and empowering the youth towards their ultimate aspirations,” he said.
He noted that the accomplishments of the young people did not happen overnight.
“And I know that these young achievers were not on their own, at some point someone else impacted their lives either as a mentor, or as a teacher, or as a peer supporter or as a role model,” Roach stated while commending the awardees for work well done.
President of the NYCD Jahisiah Benoit, who also addressed the ceremony, noted that this year an award was presented to an outstanding youth in Agriculture and Tourism.
“Now any country, no matter how big you are, no matter how small you are, you cannot develop without focusing on agriculture, even if you are the wealthiest country,” he said.
Benoit also questioned whether it is sustainable to be importing millions of dollars every year in food.
The president of the NYCD also stated that many describe Dominica as underdeveloped but “when I see those mountains, I firstly thank the father for giving us this pristine environment, and then I say to myself I see mountains of opportunities for our young farmers.”
Benoit added further that in his view, the National Award Ceremony is quite necessary.
“In my view, it is quite significant, it is fundamental and in my view it is quite necessary to acknowledge the outstanding work of young Dominicans, who go above and beyond through voluntary spirit to make a difference in their communities and to contribute to national development,” he stated.
There were over 60 nominees for awards this year.
With the help of the private sector, well over EC$15,000 in assistance was given to the National Award Ceremony.
The awards ceremony was held at the Dominica State College under the theme “Youth Representing Youth Positively.”
The following is a list of winners of the 2014 National Youth Awards.
· Tourism – Rowen Carbon
· Kalinago – Kirk Edwards
· Visual Arts- Donte Georges
· Culture – Hanif Francis
· Agriculture – Marvin Maximea
· Volunteer – Jannel Thomas
· Faith Based- Bioche Nazareen Church
· Media – Edona Jon Baptiste
· Beyond Expectations – Nabi Wallace
· Academic and Extra Curricular – Denzel Guye
· Music – Krishna ‘Dada’ Lawrence
· Performing Arts – Marja Jeffers
· Community Youth Organization- Aithon Athletics Club
· Entrepreneurship – Narlie Bertrand
· Esteemed Challenged – Mathias Bruno
· Leadership – Kimara Hurtault
· Sports – Chelsea Linton
· Literacy Arts – Shannon John
· President’s Award – Saint Mary’s Primary School
This was a great event and i was happy to see so many young persons being recognized. special congratulation to Marja Lady Star Jeffers, you are doing a great job in terms of calypso singing an now writing and i always come to your plays and you are one of my favorite actresses in Dominica. Keep doing positive things not only in calypso and drama but also in your work at clear harbor, i heard you remain a positive leader in clear harbor stay focused, grounded and remember to keep god first in everything you do. you gave a great speech, you truly are amazing and you continue to make your father…MR FATHER very proud.
Leadership Award!!!! Is she a GUIDER or someone who works well with very young people. Having to come in to Tarish Pit and sponsor a football team, does that say this is leadership or should I more think this is POLITISHIPS.
Dear Awardees,
Hearty Congratulations to all of you recipients of the 2014 National Youth Council (NYCD) Youth Awards. Your hard work and your efforts have earned you this recognition. Keep striving for excellence. Most importantly, keep striving to be self reliant.
To the NYCD, congratulations for the continued leadership you are providing for our youth. We in Team Dominica, applaud you for it. When in 1996, the UWP Government, took the decision to reestablish the National Youth Council, and to provide you with a monthly stipend for operating your office and paying a Secretary, though a modest investment, it was a practical example of real Youth Empowerment, which continues to bear abundant fruit, to this day. Team Dominica intends to build on this, by unlocking the full power and creativity of our youth, to build Dominica.
Youth Empowerment Village a Top Priority
Towards this end, therefore, Team Dominica, will establish “The Youth Empowerment Village” in the High st./Dominica Club area of Roseau.
What is a National Youth Empowerment Village ?
The National Youth Empowerment Village (NYEV) will be a natural spring of positive kinetic energy to energize and quench the thirst of our youth for inclusion and opportunity. NYEV will be the headquarters for The National Youth Council (NYC), Small Business Incubator, The Youth Business Trust, National Association of Youth in Agriculture (NAYA), Small Business Unit, offices for other Youth groups,. NYEV will be equipped with WiFi hotspot, Internet Cafe, state of the art Music recording Studio and Band Practice house, small lecture theater for sports, music and cultural theory; Scouts and Guides Headquarter, Cadette Corps and other similar Youth Empowerment initiatives, by both Government, private sector and Civil Society.
The National Youth Empowerment Village, (NYEV) will be a safe place of two or more acres, with suitable buildings and other facilities, security, rules, discipline, coaches and support where Youth can go on weekends, during holidays, after school and when they have left school, to socialize, recreate, play indoor games, learn sewing, cooking, catering, hair dressing, dance, drama, crafts, social, cultural, musical, computer, business and other technical skills as well as improve their discipline and their chances of success in their life endeavour.
Dominica is our to build. Team Dominica believes that Dominica’s growth and development, will be directly correlated to the investment we as a Nation make in our Youth. This award ceremony, is a positive indication that “Youth are in it too”. Once more we commend you.
May God bless all our Dominican Youth.
Change be with you.
Hon. Norris Prevost, MP. Roseau Central.
[email protected]; http://www.changeisamust.com.
Congrats to the young people.. Well done however I found some overdid the thank you speeches….Maybe next year the award recipients should be guided regarding that aspect.
Cant the young lady who won the Award IN LEADERSHIP dress better than that. I think she was the worst dressed youth. If that is the way she leads with youth in mind, they will stray away.
Dear Awardees,
Hearty Congratulations to all of you the award recipients at the 2014, Youth Awards Ceremony. Your hard work and your effort, have gained you this recognition. I urge you to continue to strive for excellence, and to be self reliant.
To the National Youth Council, I congratulate you on your continued leadership of youth activity on the island. This award Ceremony, is another bold statement that “Youth in it too.” I applaud you for it.
When in 1996, the UWP Government, took the decision to reestablish the National Youth Council, and provide you with a monthly stipend, to operate your office and pay a Secretary, that was an act of real Youth Empowerment. We were convinced then that this modest investment in our Youth would bear abundant fruit.
Today, we are even more convinced, and are committed to invest a fair share of the National Resources in our youth formation and development. This is why as a top priority the UWP Team Dominica Government, earnestly and proudly looks forward,to providing you , our youth, with “The Youth Empowerment Village”, in the High St. / Dominica Club area of Roseau, where our youth will have much more than a little office.
What is a National Youth Empowerment Village ?
The National Youth Empowerment Village will be the headquarters for The National Youth Council (NYC), Small Business Incubator, The Youth Business Trust, National Association of Youth in Agriculture (NAYA), Small Business Unit, equipped with Internet Cafe, state of the art Music recording Studio and Band Practice house, Scouts and Guides Headquarter, Cadette Corps and other similar Youth Empowerment initiatives, by both Government, private sector and Civil Society. The National Youth Empowerment Village, will be a safe place of two or more acres, with suitable buildings and other facilities, security, rules, discipline, coaches and support where Youth can go on weekends, during holidays, after school and when they have left school, to socialize, recreate, play indoor games, learn sewing, cooking, catering, hair dressing, crafts, social, cultural, musical, computer, business and other technical skills as well as improve their discipline and their chances of success in their life endeavour.
May God bless all our Youth, and Change be with you.
Hon. Norris Prevost, MP, Roseau Central.
please don’t bring ur politics into the NYC please. Thanks
I most say girly is doing a great job with Mathias boosting hid confidence and all from experience I can say here that he has a good family support group. He’s smile and ambitions lefts the spirit of all who comes into contact with him no matter ones mode. Congratulations Mathias u r a Darlene and dis award is well deserved.
Congratulations to all the recipients especially Narlie Bertrand. We recently lost a great lady in Dr. Maya Angelou and yet I see her in people like you. You are a very hard-working, ambitious, beautiful, charismatic, positive and energetic force. It was obvious that God is working for you, on you and through you. Continue thriving and may the Almighty Father’s light continue to shine on your beautiful face. Phenomenal woman!!!
Well done Mr. Maximea, congratulations on your winning. Keep up the good work in the field of Agriculture. Also thanks to National Youth Council of Dominica for accepting me as a Nominee. And thanks to BrBpTv for Nominating me. This whole journey was a motivation.
Remember: A backyard Garden in some way will keep the doctors away.
Congrats Edona Jno Baptiste!!!…What an EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT!!! You deserve all the accolades that come your way…I am so proud of you…Keep on…Keep on…
Hats off to the National Youth Council (NYC) and the supporters of such a worthy cause to reward our young people in this manner. In a world that presents some much challenges and criticism against young people, it pleases my heart to see that there are those who recognized that not all of us are bad. May God continue to bless the NYC and by extension Dominica as an aspiring nation. As one of the awardees my sincerest gratitude is extended to those who made this opportunity possible.
Congratulations to the organizers, the participants and the recipients in this endeavour. This exemplifies the positive attributes that those of us who strive for progress and development can have. Think positive thoughts, work positively, create enabling environments, support each other.