Sales Representative at Jamaica Freight, Verdilyn Palmer (right), presents the first place award to Stephanie Channer, while Melissa-Rhea Verley (second right) and Kadeen Turnbull, who placed second and third respectively look on. Also sharing in the moment is Edward Channer, art teacher. - ContributedJAMAICA FREIGHT and Shipping Company Limited, local agents for Kent Line based in Saint John, Canada, presented prizes won by students of the Holy Childhood Preparatory School in an international painting competition, sponsored by the international shipping line.
The students Stephanie Channer, eight; Melissa-Rhea Verley 10; and Kadeen Turnbull, 10 - who came first, second and third respectively, were presented with cash awards and other tokens during the school's general assembly recently. Making the presentations were Kent Line Manager, Michael Dobson and Verdilyn Palmer, the Sales Representative at Jamaica Freight.
Explaining the genesis of the competition, Mrs Palmer, said Kent Line wanted to identify artwork for its 2001 calendar and decided to launch a painting competition for students ages 6 to 12, in countries whose ports are used by Kent Line's vessels. The competition, which ran for three weeks in October, involved students from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica.
The Sales Representative said the first, second and third place paintings, which were adjudged at the Kent Line head office in Saint John, would be used on the 2001 Kent Line calendars. She said the students and their school won cash prizes for their performance. Gifts were also presented to the art teacher, Edward Channer.
The youngsters said they were delighted that they had won prizes in the competition.
Stephanie, a grade-four student who enjoys painting and aspires to become an artist said: "I am really happy that I came first, I didn't think I would win...".
Melissa said she was excited and glad that she got something for her work. And, she plans to enter again if the competition continues next year.
Kadeen was equally ecstatic. "I am very happy," she said.
Senior Teacher, Janet Walsh Davis, said the school was proud of the achievement of its students. "We needed this upliftment. We are happy for the children. We are happy to know that they performed so well in the competition with so many other countries," she noted.
In his comments, Mr. Channer, thanked Kent Line and its local agents for giving the students a platform on which to display their talents.
