By Monique Hepburn, Staff Reporter
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke (third right) poses with the five recipients of the Governor-General Awards at the Star Fish Hotel in Trelawny. Flanking Governor-General are (from left) Dr. Ucal Thompson (St. James), Gloria Evalda East (Trelawny), Ansel Brown (Hanover), Erma Ridgard (Westmoreland) and Austin Levy (St. Elizabeth). - Patrick Campbell/Freelance Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
SIR HOWARD Cooke on Wednesday presented the prestigious Governor-General's Achievement Awards to five outstanding Jamaicans from the county of Cornwall, at a special luncheon at the Star Fish Resort in Trelawny.
The awards, a symbol of community spirit and achievement, is designed to recognise persons from various strata of society who have contributed selflessly to Jamaica's development. The five recipients, who rose from humble beginnings, were lauded for the development of their respective communities.
Trelawny recipient Gloria East, J.P., 73, is an esteemed educator and local preacher at the Duanvale Methodist Church. As a humanitarian and community leader, Ms. East makes it her duty to assist the elderly, sick and shut-ins in their daily tasks.
Dr. Ucal Thompson, 62, is the St. James recipient, who at an early age in rural St. James defied economic, social and parental constraints in the pursuit of excellence. Dr. Thompson has made numerous contributions in the field of medicine as well as politics at the Local Government level.
Erma Ridgard, 52, is the Westmoreland awardee, and is known as a shining example in her community. Her entire community is treated like a close-knit family as she provides study opportunities for many needy students and has donated more than $100,000 of her own funds to schools and students.
AN ACTIVE LIFE
Ansel Brown, 61, is the Hanover recipient, who despite poverty attained a university education. He has an active life as an educator and as a member of the Lucea Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He lives by the philosophy of blessing others as he is blessed.
Austin Levy, 77, is the St. Elizabeth recipient. He has made sterling contributions to the field of education in Hanover despite a poor family background and limited educational opportunities. A father to the fatherless, Mr. Levy shares with the less fortunate and the indigent.
In offering thanks to the awards committee on behalf of the recipients Ms. East noted that it was good to be recognised in one's lifetime by peers. She pledged to continue to volunteer of her time in the interest of her community.
"We have to be dedicated to what we do and life is not worth living until we can give without seeking a reward," Ms. East said.
APPEAL TO GUNMEN
Sir Howard, who was the guest speaker, made an urgent appeal to the nation's gunmen to lay down their arms as the growing spate of crime and violence now gripping the island is draining its creative and productive energies.
"I am appealing to all Jamaica to put your guns away and let us get down on our knees and pray and don't get up until Jesus tells us to," Sir Howard said. "The media, teachers and church leaders must work together to make this happen."
"The fear of crime and violence is preventing us from being productive and creative. I am observing the situation in Spanish Town and I am so worried about what is taking place," Sir Howard told The Gleaner, following his speech. "Crime has us in its grip and it is becoming more serious day by day."
Sir Howard further advised that Jamaicans should continue their quest to make the country a great nation. He also appealed to young people to take their education seriously. He made special mention of young people between the ages of 16 and 25, issuing a stern warning for them to go to school.
