CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JULY 29, 2015) — Four students on Nevis were awarded for their winning submissions in the Department of Youth and Sport’s, Youth in the Arts Competition with the theme “Expose the Arts”,  at a brief prize giving ceremony. It was held at the Department’s conference room in Charlestown on July 28, 2015.

Micara Scarborough and Kaylan Williams of the Charlestown Primary School and Omar Wilkin of the Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School were winners from the eight entries in the Primary School category. K-Jel Smithen of the Charlestown Secondary School was the winner and only entrant for the Secondary School category.

After handing over the gift packages, Youth Officer Lanisa Burke explained that the contest was held in April when the Department observed Youth Month with the theme “Youth Arts Expression – Let Your Minds flow and your talents show!”

She noted that in the Primary Schools category, participants were required to translate what art meant to them in a drawing, while for the Secondary School Category, participants were expected to submit a video of a dance, drama or singing.

According to the Youth Officer, the competition was held in an effort to impress on the students that art was something wonderful and it offered an opportunity for young people a chance to expose the arts and to let others know what it meant to them.

Burke used the opportunity to thank the sponsors: LIME, Harpers, Office Depot, Bank of Nevis, RBTT Bank, Munster Trucking and Heavy Equipment Rental, St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security, Morning Star Holdings and Superior Interior. She also thanked the judges, schools, parents and students who made the contest a reality.

Meantime, 10-year-old Kaylan Williams reacting to her success said she loved drawing and thanked her parents Mavis Parris and Seymour Williams for helping her with her winning entry.

Her mother was present at the prize giving ceremony thanked the Department of staging the contest, She stated that her daughter had entered many contests and she had been a winner. Parris expressed hope that the contest would continue since it was an avenue for the children to expose their talents.

Junior Minister who is responsible for the Department of Youth and Sports on Nevis Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, during an address to herald the month of activities open stated that the Arts provides many avenues for employment as well as entrepreneurship opportunities.

She noted that many artists have the opportunity to travel worldwide and earn an income and the Arts can therefore be viewed, as a viable option for relieving the youth unemployment issue facing Nevis.

The Minister said the theme selected reflected for Youth Month 2015, reflected the Nevis Island Administration’s recognition that the arts are important in the lives and the future of the island’s young people.

She pointed out that the Arts provides many opportunities, many of which are under explored and Youth Month provided a renewed awareness of these opportunities.