Happy mother, Diane Hitchener, smiles with her son Timothy Hitchener of Our Lady of the Angels Prep School after he received the winning trophy in the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica National Essay competition 2009 at Holy Cross Church Hall, 17 Half-Way Tree Road in St Andrew on Wednesday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

A SMILE quickly flashed across his face when his name was called to collect his prize for first place in the Lay Magistrates' Association of Jamaica National Essay Competition.

As he walked to the podium, his confident strides told the tale of a bright student whose work had impressed the judges.

Meet 11-year-old Timothy Hitchener, a student of Our Lady of the Angels Preparatory School. "It's a good feeling to have won this," he said of his prized trophy as he hugged it.

Hitchener participated in the competition, which included topics relating to the effects of the global economic crisis on the country and, in particular, his school life. He won the award from a total of 39 entries that were submitted from 18 schools across the island, comprising 10 primary and eight prep schools.

jobs being lost

In his essay, Hitchener said there were problems affecting both the First World and developing countries, with many people cutting back on spending and conserving. "Jobs are being lost, homes foreclosed, and even schools are being affected negatively," read Hitchener's essay.

He discussed his personal experience with schoolmates who were faced with economic hardships. "They cannot afford to purchase their lunches because of the weekly increases in prices," pointing to an example of his classmate not being able to purchase his regular lunch with the $200 his parents gave him daily.

Hitchener explained that transportation had been severely affected, and spoke of the effects on children going to school. "There are many students who now have to resort to walking to school or soliciting rides. Many times, on the news or media, we hear cases of children being hurt or killed going to or coming from school because they beg drives."

Having aced his Grade Six Achievement Test, the youngster is now looking forward to attending the school of his first choice, Campion College. "I feel really excited because I really wanted to pass for a good school, and I did it by myself," he said smiling.

natural thinker

Pearline White, Hitchener's teacher, said she had no problems preparing him, as he was a natural reader and thinker. "Timothy does a lot of research on his own. He reads a lot and I just encourage him to read from different literature books and express himself. He's like that; he's a good student," she said.

Second place went to Jordan Salmon, who hails from Mona Preparatory School. He, too, was excited at his award and said he thought really hard to come up with solutions to the country's economic crisis.

The students identified several problems affecting the school environment as a result of the global economic crisis.

The bright stars gave realistic solutions to the issues which they highlighted. There were similarities, such as car pooling, and parents preparing lunches for children. They suggested that companies and clubs adopt schools, and schools have fund-raising activities.

He won the award from a total of 39 entries that were submitted from 18 schools across the island, comprising 10 primary and eight prep schools.