NINETEEN young Jamaicans who have made outstanding contributions in various areas were presented with the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence during a ceremony held Saturday evening on the lawns of Jamaica House.
Awards were presented in the categories of academics, youth development, sports, journalism/e-journalism, nation-building, music, national leadership, innovation science/technology, arts and culture, agriculture and agro-processing, entrepreneurship/social entrepreneurship, and environmental protection.
Among the award recipients were Justin Paul Williams in the category of arts and culture; Zaneta Alvaranga and Jaden Shaw for sports; Alexander Shaw for nation-building; and Alexander Rhys Greenland for environmental protection.
The Prime Minister’s Special Award for Excellence was presented to World U-20 triple jump champion Jaydon Hibbert.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (sixth left) is flanked by recipients of the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence during the ceremony held Saturday on the lawns of Jamaica House. Also sharing in the moment are: Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams (sixth right), and assistant vice-president, treasury, Sagicor Bank Jamaica, Keri-Leigh Manning (fifth right).
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in his address, congratulated the recipients as well as those shortlisted and encouraged them to continue the excellent work in their various fields of endeavour.
“These national awards are important in a world where negative news is so abundant, where the things that go viral are usually the negative things. Tonight we want you to go viral because you have achieved great things, not just for yourself but for your country. We want your recognition to serve as motivation, encouragement, and inspiration for others to pursue excellence in their chosen field,” he said.
He urged them to be beacons of light to their peers and friends, to mentor and inspire those who may not have decided to travel the path of excellence.
