Saturday saw a group of representatives from Optimist International gather at the Altamont Court Hotel for the Caribbean District Essay Contest award ceremony. The nervous-looking contestants had all submitted essays under the title 'The Power of Youth' and were assembled to hear the results.

Proceedings were introduced by the chairman, Clive W. Savage, who also took time to eulogise the ex-district Governor Dudley Hall, who recently passed away.

"We are saddened whenever we have to say goodbye," Savage said.

Judith Reid, governor of the Caribbean District, commended all the finalists for their ability.

"I'm particularly proud to see you all ... you're going to do our country proud."

Thanks were also given to Winsome Halliman and Xaviar Allen, who were representing the sponsors for the event, Wynlee Distributors and the NCB Foundation, respectively.

Senator Basil Waite, opposition spokesman on education and guest speaker at the ceremony, credited the Optimists for setting up the competition and praised the competitors for their efforts.

"This is what I would like Jamaica to be ... you can do anything you want to," he told them, urging those present to continue striving for excellence. Waite closed his speech by thanking the Optimists for "setting an example" to today's youth. Speaking afterwards, he was enthusiastic about the project but said he wanted to see it go further.

More schools

"We need more schools to get involved," he told The Gleaner, "but it's a tremendous start."

At the close of ceremony, the awards for third and second place went to Netisha Farquharson of Holy Childhood High School and Kareem Flowers of Wolmer's High School for Boys, with Flowers also collecting the award for Best Linguistic Style. First prize was awarded to Tanesha Smith-Thompson from Immaculate Conception College for her essay considering the role and impact of young people in today's world.

"I'm very excited," Smith-Thompson said. "I thought I could really write something to inspire others."

She now goes through to the international competition with the chance of winning a US$6,000 scholarship.

Optimist International was founded in 1919 and dedicated to "bringing out the best in kids" with the Caribbean District being set up in 1980.

"We are focused on the welfare and benefit of our children," Savage told The Gleaner. "We are friends of youth."

oliver_hugo.clark@gleanerjm.com