UPDATE: Convent Prep wins Reading Competition title

The winner attends the Convent Prep
The winner attends the Convent Prep

Shayden Laville, of the Convent Preparatory School, has won the DBS Radio, Courts-sponsored Reading Competition, held at the Arawak House of Culture on Wednesday afternoon.

The nine-year-old winner told Dominica News Online that she was “happy and surprised.”

She thanked her mother, teacher, Louise Aaron (the 2014 winner of the competition), and Aaron’s mother for their help.

Laville revealed that she wishes to be a professional horseback rider.

Her father, Paul Laville, stated that he was proud of his daughter, as she worked very hard to achieve her goal.

“I am proud of her,” he said. “She’s a hard-working kid. She’s put her all into this. She wanted it badly, so I’m really happy that she got it.”

Laville said his daughter is hardworking
Laville said his daughter is hard working

He explained that reading has always been a part of his daughter’s life.

“Shayden has been reading from a very tender age… from since she was two, three years old. So, reading has been part of her up to this age,” Laville elaborated.

Second place went to Tiana Smith of W.S. Steven Primary School, while Samuel Miah of the Lighthouse Christian Academy came third. They will be awarded $900 and $700 respectively.

Other top performers are Tyrick Jean-Jacques of the St. Lukes Primary School, in fourth place, and Buzjah Betrand of the Roseau SDA in fifth position.

The top performer took home $2,000, and her school will also receive $2,000.

A total of ten schools competed in the finals.

Each participant will receive $500, a tablet, and a plaque.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Marcella Powell, who represented Education Minister, Petter St. Jean, urged students to read with purpose, and to use reading as a tool to improve their comprehension.

“I also encourage you to approach your reading with a view to improving your comprehension skills, which will allow you to easier gather information, and use it to efficiently function, and enjoy the richness of life,” she advised.

Powell commended the organizers of the competition for their commitment to bettering the youth.

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17 Comments

  1. kissit
    July 8, 2016

    Its Tiana Smith

  2. A Convent Prep Teacher
    July 8, 2016

    Congratulations Shaydan!!! You did an excellent job!! Continue to thrive and show everyone your potential! Congratulations to your parents who have been with your every step of the way, encouraging and supporting you. Congratulations to Mrs. Burnette who has been working tirelessly with Shaydan!

    Congratulations again!!

  3. A Convent Prep Teacher
    July 8, 2016

    Congratulations Shaydan!!! You did an excellent job. Continue thriving and showing your potential. I knew you had it in you from the time I taught you in Grade Two (2) !!! Congratulations to you again, to your parents for how they encouraged and worked with you and to Mrs. Burnette for the guidance and practice she gave!!

    Congratulaltions!!!

  4. vanessa
    July 8, 2016

    Congrats to Shayden

  5. Tell the Facts
    July 7, 2016

    Congratulations to the winner. You did well, intelligent little girl. Keep it up.
    To the others, you tried your utmost. You also are a winner in your own rights.
    Good luck to each one of you. The more you read appropriate books, the more you will increase your intelligence. Keep up the diligence in reading and also your studies.
    May God bless you!

  6. retired teacher.
    July 7, 2016

    We need a competition for the weak readers,,,,,,,
    ,This only caters for those who can read at or above their level,,,,,,

  7. Ideal
    July 7, 2016

    Congrats to all the winners, I want to say how proud I am of them especially Tian Smith you di Marigot proud, keep up the good work and reach for the sky.

  8. indeed
    July 7, 2016

    Congratulations Shay, Keep up the excellent work. Well done!!

  9. Too Hard Too Long
    July 7, 2016

    Congrats Shayden

  10. Convent Prep Parent
    July 7, 2016

    Congratulations to Miss Shaden Laville but i am disappointed that the Principal and none of the staff members was present to witness the excellent reading by this Convent Prep student. This kind of behaviour is symptomatic of the Staff of the Convent Prep and it is tim ethey recognize that they must not only share in the successes of their students but they must be present in full force to show their support.

    All the other schools competing had their students dressed in school uniform except Convent Prep. Guess what they are going to enjoy the $2000.00 prize as a result of Miss Laville winning this competition. I hope the Principal and staff learn from this and ensure that they support their students whenever they represent the school

    • Too Hard Too Long
      July 7, 2016

      “This kind of behaviour is symptomatic of the Staff of the Convent Prep and it is tim ethey recognize that they must not only share in the successes of their students but they must be present in full force to show their support.”

      This is an unfair statement.

    • Just Me
      July 7, 2016

      I was thinking the same of the absence of the school. And was wondering did the school send a representative to compete or did the student go on her own. This is not the first time and I think all schools should take note. Take the comment in good faith and do better next time in supporting those you send out to represent the schhol

      • Jeannille Ettinoffe
        September 13, 2020

        Hi I was her best friend at the time and yes someone was there with her. I can’t remember the teacher’s name right now, but someone did go with her. (Ps. Sorry this this a few years later)

    • vanessa
      July 8, 2016

      Dear Convent Prep Parent: Three of the school teachers were at the competition to the end and students were there as well in plain clothes with some of their parents: especially students from Shayden’s class. The teacher responsible for training of Shayden at school was there untill the end. This is the thing with Dominicans. Just because u may not have seen the teachers doesnt mean that they were not there.. U may be speaking out of passion but not facts. The fact Is Three teachers were there. If it was a more private medium , i would give you the names of the three that were there. Or you can call the school and find out. There is a way to verify if something is factual or not. And convent prep parent u should know that the Principal is out of State, there is a vice principal now. Let’s remove the sensationalism and deal with facts.

    • A Convent Prep Teacher
      July 8, 2016

      Dear IGNORANT PETULANT Convent Prep Parent,

      Convent Prep teachers as well as students and parents were and are ALWAYS there to support our students in the competitions they take part in. You may not have noticed them there at the finals as they were there dressed in their casual clothes. Their casual clothes did not stop them from supporting Shaydan with great enthusiasm. However, in the competitions preceding the finals our students went to support Shaydan fully dressed in their school uniform, accompanied by a teacher, to support and encourage their peer.

      I feel that the way you seek to attack the school after such an accomplishment with no more than your disgruntled views speaks largely to you character.

      I pray that God will bless you with wisdom to guide your actions and comments in the future.

      -A Convent Prep Teacher.

  11. tatiana
    July 7, 2016

    Congrats Shay!! Hats off to you. You did a good job.

  12. July 7, 2016

    Teachers, students and parents congratulations. Ms Laville continue what you have started. God’s guidance.

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