Thousands of Jamaicans are expected to converge at Emancipation Park, St. Andrew, on Sunday, December 3, for the Prime Minister's Youth Award ceremony and concert. The concert will feature some of the nation's seasoned and aspiring artistes, whose performances will reflect the theme for Youth Month, 'Aspire Today, Inspire Tomorrow'.

The Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence is the highest national award given to Jamaican youths and, over the past eight years, 63 of the nation's most outstanding youths have been rewarded with the prestigious award.

Asked for her view, Stacy Delavante, a student at the University of the West Indies, said she considered the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence a symbol of supremacy "awarding Jamaican youths who are a cut above the rest and who are at the top of their field and who continue to excel."

Inspiration

Jason Williams, a 17-year-old student, said the award was the best thing that could happen to a youth.

"I am currently in fifth form and if at this stage of my life I am a recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence, it will inspire me to continue to rise in the respective discipline that I was awarded," he said. "Additionally, I see it as a catalyst for my fellow students who ideally would want to receive this award, to improve their capabilities or discipline in their respective fields."

The eighth renewal of the awards ceremony is of significance not only for the eventual awardees but also for Portia Simpson Miller, as this will be the first time she will be presiding over her awards ceremony since becoming Prime Minister.

In 1998 then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson introduced the Prime Minister's National Youth Awards Ceremony for Excellence.

The award recognises youth who have excelled and contributed to national development. In addition, the institutionalisation of the award was to ensure that young persons were given a platform to showcase their achievements in various fields. Each recipient must meet the eligibility criteria of 15-24 years as of the end of December of the year the award is granted.

The Prime Minister's Youth Awards for Excellence and the Jamaican Youth in Concert are the highlights of Youth Month activities observed in November.