“I couldn’t believe it, I was speechless.”
These were the words that the winner of the Courts OECS Reading competition, Louise Aarons, used to describe her feelings when she learned she had captured the top position in that competition which took place in Grenada on Thursday, October 16.
Speaking to the media at a welcome back ceremony held at her school, the Pioneer Preparatory School, on Tuesday, Aarons said preparations for the competition was challenging.
“Preparing for the competition, it was challenging but when I put my mind to it I said I was going to do my best,” she stated. “Even though I was tired or wanted to stop, I still continued and pushed…in the end I got first. I am really happy and thank God for everything.”
Aarons encouraged other students to read.
“Reading is the key to success, reading is amazing, it helps you in your school work and whenever you are bored, you always have something to do, read,” she said.
She credited her mother, teachers, coaches and friends for providing inspiration.
Yvette Jean-Pierre, Aaron’s mother, describes her daughter as a “hardworking child and very well mannered.”
“She is a good child and I am proud to have a daughter like her,” she said.
Additionally, Jean-Pierre stated, she supported her daughter and worked hard to ensure her success.
“It was a pleasure, we did work hard,” the proud mother said. “She came out second in the local competition and we thought that it was over, but when we came back from holiday we were told that she would be representing Dominica and we started from there and she made us proud.”
She encourages parents to always be there for their children.
“Don’t always leave things for the school or teachers, you have to do your best,” she said. “Always put God first at all time, He is good all the time.”
Meantime education minister, Petter Saint Jean said that his ministry is always cognizance that every child must succeed and Aarons has demonstrated the ability of Dominican children to succeed, not only at the national level, but the regional and international level.
He noted further that Dominica has excelled in the reading competition because of, “what goes on here at the school.”
“I believe this is indeed an indication of the level of preparation that takes place here,” he noted. “I want to commend you and call on you to use this as a spring board to greater things for the school and for education in Dominica.”
Saint Jean thanked Felix Henderson and his team for initiating and organizing the Courts Dominica Reading Competition and ensuring the sustainability of the program.
He encourage parents to “work with your school and work with the students.”
As part of her winning prize, Aarons received an IPad from the government of Dominica and a laptop from Courts Dominica Limited.
She also won $10,000 from that competition, $5000 as her cash prize and the remaining $5,000 goes to her school.
Winner of the National competition held in Dominica was Jarret Jean-Jacques, however, he was unable to travel to Grenada to participate in the OECS Competition and was replaced by Aarons.
I can do that
I can help you do that?
Dear Louise Aaron, I too would like to add my voice to say “CONGRATULATION!”. Just remember the sky is the limit….. Never forget your Family, School and Friends will always be there for you.
May God continue to bless and guide you.
Well done young lady. You are already a winner and remember the world is your oyster – embrace it and always remember the Lord and your family in your climb to success.
Congrats young lady on this great achievement. Keep up the good work. And to Mr. Peter Saint Jean, this was a regional competition, not an international. There is a big difference. And yes I think miss Aaron is capable of winning an international competition
Louise is an example that the young people of Dominica should follow. When people don’t read they do not receive the facts of the message sent, hence the cannot express their understanding of that message; the next thing is they simply repeat what someone else says–facts or fiction, truth or false.
Yes indeed! We should be proud of Louise–and I am proud of her; for what she did for Dominica–but we should not let it stop at simply being proud; Louise is only one person–are the majority of young people in Dominica, just like her? I doubt it!.
It disturbs me when people complain about 3 or for paragraphs being too long to read–this tells me that those people have never read a whole book of even 20 pages long–much more for over 200 pages in most books.
The ability to read motivates the ability to write; the world depends on what society research; the conclusion has to be put into writing, for effective recording–not simply word of mouth.
When no one can write because they never learned to read–that is the reason there are more illiterate people, in any given environment, than those can speak and write wisdom and understanding–the manner by which we gain knowledge–good Lord
Congratulations to Miss Aarons. She worked hard and deserved what she has achieved. As her mother said, “don’t always leave things for the school or teachers, you have to do your best.” As I’ve always thought, parents are the first teachers. We have to be an example to our children. We must also engage in reading, so that when the children see us reading, it will just become a natural thing for them to do.
I agree with you, Sylvester Cadette, that a special feature needs to be done on Felix Henderson’s career. He has represented South City and Dominica in a tremendous manner and we need to give him the credits which he rightfully deserve. Let’s give him his dues now and let’s not wait for later. He is a true son of the soil. We appreciate and love you, Felix.
ONE LOVE
Congratulations Louise. I hope other children follow suite
Good job I went to be like her
Congratulations Louise. You did very well and made our school proud.
Keep it up.
Regards
Congratulations young lady!
Great future ahead of you if you stay focussed on the right things. Congrats to your mom, teachers and other people in your support system. Congrats to Felix, DBS, Courts and other sponsors.
This is a breath of fresh air for Dominica! Congrats again!
Congratulations Louise. Well done to you. You’ve made us all proud. Well done also to your school Pioneer Prep, your mum and teachers. A special thank you to Felix Henderson and the rest of the team for making this moment for Dominica a special and memorable one.
congratulatione ms Aaron
Congratulations Miss Aarons, you have made your school, your parents and Dominica proud. I am happy that you have called on the other students to do the same by reading, reading, reading, it pays off. And your mom is really proud of you.
The winner of last years competition was treated unfairly, that student was the winner but it was given to Grenada. Reasons stated that you have to make eye contact, with the audience, only at the last minute that the Dominican student was told so.
Whoop, Grenada won and you see this time is our turn we beat them again.
Never cheat, what is yours is really yours.
Keep working hard.
hats off to you dearest.
Thank you again Louise, for making yourself, your family, Mr Felix Henderson and Dominica proud.
As I said in another post congratulating another successful Dominican, this is the kind of news that uplifts and encourages me as a Dominican.
Congratulations to you little (BIG) Ms. Aaron and to your mom and school for encouraging you. Your hard work paid off well. Keep it up because your journey has just begun.
Congrats to the sponsors and the Ministry of EDUCATION.
CONGRATS TO FELIX HENDERSON. This man is a true vintage and over his many years in media he has proven himself FAR, FAR, FAR BEYOND MEASURE – in Creole in all aspects, Documentaries, Advertising, Production, Reading and other Competitions. DOMINICA, Shower this man with the best you have to offer – Dominicans and corporate citizenry, please support his work.
LET US NOT TAKE OUR HUMAN RESOURCE BASE FOR GRANTED.
And even if he was honoured in the past that may not be enough to say thank you.
This piece is about the success of Ms. Aaron but I thought to use this moment to mention Felix Henderson because he is the genesis of the Reading Competition.
Success again to Little (BIG) Ms. Aaron.
DNO – without being presumptuous, please do a special feature on Felix Henderson and his illustrious career. Dominica deserves to know.