Jesús Silva (left), Spain's ambassador to Jamaica, presents Akeem Smith, Ardenne High student, with the Ruta Quetzal Scholarship gear at the Embassy of Spain, Courtleigh Corporate Centre, last week. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Akeem Smith, a 16-year-old student of Ardenne High School, was last week selected as Jamaica's sole representative on an adventure tour - the Ruta Quetzal - with more than 300 teenage participants from 40 countries across the world.

The Ruta Quetzal, named after Christopher Columbus' voyages (Ruta) and the magnificent Mexican bird (quetzal) worshipped by the Aztecs and Mayas as the god of the air, recreates the adventures when groups went on journeys of discovery to distant lands.

Participants this year will spend the first three weeks in Panama and end their tour in Spain, culminating with the group of young people being hosted by the king of Spain.

Speaking yesterday during the awards ceremony, held at the Embassy of Spain, Jesús Silva, Spanish ambassador to Jamaica, said the purpose of the study trip was to open young minds to international contact and foreign languages.

Write an essay

Students who entered the competition were required to write an essay in Spanish and Silva said not only was Smith's command of Spanish good, but his essay was also well written.

In his remarks, Andrew Holness, minister of education, congratulated Smith, adding that it was important to embrace excellence. He said the acquisition of a second language was something that the ministry viewed with great interest. Holness told Smith that he was an ambassador and he had a duty to promote Spanish in Jamaica.

For his part, Smith told the gathering that he was happy that he was chosen for the study tour and said he would do his best to represent Jamaica well.

Since the first voyage in 1979, more than 10,000 students from 40 countries have participated in this programme, which includes not only cultural and sporting activities but also an academic component.

The entire programme is conducted in Spanish and only young people with a good command of the language and a high level of academic success are selected.

Smith leaves Jamaica June on 19 and returns from Spain on July 27. He was last week presented with his airline tickets and gear, including a pair of shoes that he will need while on tour.