“I don’t believe it, I can feel my heart beating in my chest…it’s amazing.”
This is the reaction of winner of the annual Tourism Youth Congress, Emma Lehrer, of the Orion Academy said shortly after her win.
The competition took place at the Arawak House of Culture on Wednesday.
Lehrer, 15 who is also a fourth form student and who now holds the title of the “Junior Tourism Minister,” said preparing for the competition was challenging since she only started practising a day before the competition.
“I started preparing yesterday and I was at school with the debate teacher for a while after school ended and we just worked on it until we got it,” Lehrer said. “One of the challenges was finding the information… I had to skip classes that I now have to make up. It was a lot of stress, but it was worth it.”
Meantime she revealed that tourism is the reason why her family moved to Dominica from the USA.
“My parents came on a vacation and now my whole family lives here and I love it, so I just want other people to have the same opportunity and explore other places that they want to live and even go on vacation,” she stated.
Lehrer will be part of a delegation representing Dominica at the Annual Caribbean Tourism Organization State of the Industry Conference to be held in Curacao from October 21st – 23rd.
She received a cash prize that was not disclosed, however the money will be used for her school.
Lehrer, who won the recently held a Kiwanis Public Speaking Competition held at the Dominica State College (DSC), is expected to participate in the Regional Kiwanis Public Speaking Championship to be held in Barbados in September.
Second place position went to Savahnn James of the Convent High School with 203 points and Christelle Bannis of the Dominica Grammar School with captured third place with 200 points.
The other participants were Natalia Antoine of the Pierre Charles Secondary School, Chelsea Lawrence of the North East Comprehensive School, Annahkizzie Webster of the Dominica Community High School and Larissa Frederick of the Castle Bruce Secondary School.
The Tourism Youth Congress is one of the educational activities organized for Tourism Awareness Month, being celebrated this month.
At the congress students were required to prepare one of the two topics to discuss.
They were also given three (3) minutes to express his/her ideas on the chosen topic.
A mystery topic was presented at and each participant had one (1) minute to make notes and prepare their response, and one (1) minute to present their responses.
Congratulations to the winner and the other young ladies who participated. I wish we would have seen representatives from all the secondary schools on island. Also was this a girls only competition? Where are our boys?
where are the boys. Lord help us to pay attention to our boys. ONLY GIRLS. OH BOY LORD HELP OUR BOYS
‘She received a cash prize that was not disclosed, however the money will be used for her school.’ …Why the secret? It’s a prize, since when prizes are hidden and why? Congratulation girl. Do well. But I do wish I could get the whole story.
Congratulations Emma. You will make an excellent and enthusiastic junior ambassador of tourism for Dominica. Considering your parents, you and your siblings made Dominica your home and you love it, you will have much to state on this topic and to promote Dominica’s attributes. You are well-suited for Junior Tourism Minister. Good luck in your endeavors.
Congratulations also to those who came second place.
For the others who participated, you are also worthy of congratulation for you did your utmost.
You are all intelligent and ambitious young student ladies. I wish each one of you all the best and God’s blessing.
Congrats!
Feel free to suggest any idea you have towards increasing tourism to the higher ups
Congratulations young lady. Great job.
Congrats Emma! Kudos to the brilliant and dedicated staff at Orion Academy! Excellent school!
Congratulation to junior Tourism minister Miss Lehrer
congratulations ms lehrer ………. sorry to be negative on such a positive and inspiring post, this isn’t to diminish your achievements…but….. your family came on vacation and now your whole family lives here oh how i wish me and my whole family could just move to the u s a and just live there just like that
Mr. abc, I am sure if you had the right immigration lawyer and the right amount of money you could move to the USA just like that.
Europeans are always more privileged than blacks anywhere , any time, and any place. It’s easy for them to go wherever they want but for us it’s always a struggle regardless of where we come from.
Are you daft?? I mean seriously, that’s all you could say?? The mindlessness of some people..