JSIF congratulates GSAT achievers

BUCKNOR, CLARENDON:

Bucknor community, has joined hands with the Bucknor Concerned Citizens Benevolent Society to acknowledge the fine performance of the community's children who sat the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) recently.

At a graduation awards ceremony for the students, who participated in an after-school GSAT programme called the Inner-City Basic Services Projects, funded by JSIF and held at Bucknor's Church of God of Prophecy last Tuesday, more than 20 students were handed certificates.

Guest speaker Jason Hylton of Kingston Bookshop promised the graduates dictionaries upon entry to high school.

The students will also be going on a trip to Cool Runnings Water Park and Green Grotto Caves, courtesy of JSIF.

Tevon Phillips, one of the participants of the programme, reminded JSIF's liaison officer of the trip when he spoke on behalf of the graduates.

The diminutive Phillips was also given the Most Outstanding Boy award of the after-school programme, while Ernestine Bailey was the Most Outstanding Girl. They will attend Glenmuir High School in September.

- Angella Chin

Juici backs the building of leaders

MAY PEN, CLARENDON:

Juici Patties, a Clarendon-based restaurant chain, hosted its sixth annual youth leadership workshop and volunteer progamme at its headquarters in Clarendon Gardens recently.

More than 60 students drawn from schools like Vere Technical, Lennon High and Clarendon College participated. Other parishes, including St Catherine and Manchester, have participated over the years.

The five-day workshop includes activities such as team building, communication and decision-making skills, and conflict and dispute resolution skills.

On the first day Hope McNish, a communications consultant, delivered a spirited and very interactive session. She impressed upon the young minds that they should seek out role models and mentors to help them in their personal development.

During lunch a hospitality group from the Ebony HEART Academy gave the students tips on dining room etiquette.

Each student was presented with a certificate at the end of the five days.

- AC

Custos loses mother

St Ann:

The mother of the custos of St Ann, Radcliffe Walters, CD, JP, has died at the age of 94.

Winnifred Genevieve Walters, affectionately called 'Miss Gem,' died on July 4 at home in Higgin Town, St Ann, where she lived for several decades after moving from St Elizabeth with her husband, the late Stanford Walters.

Before moving to St Ann, Miss Gem taught primary school. She would later get involved with community activities in St Ann.

She played the role of counsellor and spokesperson, giving selfless, devoted service to her community, especially the church, earning the respect of the entire community.

Walters has been described as a "true matriarch", raising 10 children of her own along with several others.

A thanksgiving service for her will be held on July 18 at the Beechamville Methodist Church in Claremont, St Ann.

- Carl Gilchrist