Celebrate with those the governor general of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, has chosen for the Governor General's Achievement Awards.

"The achievement of those who we honour today epitomise the values of Jamaica ... compassion, politeness and lending a helping hand. These are values which must be woven into the fabric of a nation to make it strong. What we have learned from the awardees is that obstacles and difficulties can be overcome if our citizens are prepared to seize the opportunities available." - GG

Recipients of the Governor General's achievement award of excellence:

Clarendon:

Vernon Wilson

A chartered accountant, auditor and certified investment advisor, Wilson is currently the manager for sales and services at Scotia DBG, where he was a former senior insurance agent and customer service representative.

At the community level, he was president of the Progressive Youth Club of Sandy Bay, and enjoys counselling other young people as part of a social ministry. Vernon recalls with pride the many hours spent assisting an older man who, after many years of contribution to society, spent his latter years advising him and other young people and providing employment for them on his farm. This motivated him to be an Elder at the Elim Gospel Assembly.

Pansy Patricia Wallace

Wallace is a teacher and community leader with a strong commitment to helping others achieve their goals in life.

She was vice principal of Toll Gate All-Age School and subsequently Osbourne Store Primary.

She taught for 40 years and has been an ardent supporter of the 4-H Club Movement and the Jamaica Festival of the Arts.

She demonstrated her skills in writing poetry, songs, skits and plays and gained a silver medal for one of her literary works.

Wallace was instrumental in guiding the construction of the Faith Baptist Ministry in the community of Comfort.

She was a member of the sponsoring body of the Comfort Basic School and also initiated a breakfast feeding programme.

Through the Comfort Youth Group and Citizens' Association, Wallace was instrumental in the development of an adult-literacy programme and in providing assistance to indigents and street people. She always reached out to others in need.

Manchester:

Amoy Nadine-Scott

A career in teaching and a passion for Spanish, drama and the theatre have influenced the life of Amoy Nadine Scott. She is currently a teacher of general science, Spanish, and information technology in education at the Catholic College of Mandeville.

In the wider community, Scott, a communicant member of Trinity Baptist Church, helped to establish the youth fellowship, served as a leader of church services, member of the prayer group and prepares children for concerts and the annual choir service.

Amoy has been recognised by several organisations for her academic, sports, and performing arts achievements including: winnning gold, silver and bronze certificates in the JCDC festival competitions.

Vesta Alexander White

A retired senior public health inspector, made significant contributions to the health sector in Jamaica, for more than 37 years during his tenure at the Mandeville Parish Council.

And during those more than three decades he was instrumental in carrying out many changes in the sanitary standards of public spaces in that parish.

Formerly a volunteer with the Jamaica Welfare Limited, which is now the Social Development Commission (SDC), White played a pivotal role in educating young people about public health.

In his community, he served as founder of the Ward Avenue Neighbourhood Watch Committee and the National Men's Fellowship of Jamaica. As a volunteer with the United Manchester Association, he was able to focus on community development, cricket and the Each One Teach One Programme.

St Ann:

Lincoln Anthony Dennis

Has become the consummate community developer and guidance counsellor, and his educational and career paths have served to enhance his professional performance in these areas.

Dennis is currently employed at the Ministry of Justice where his training in mediation, crisis intervention and the investigation of trafficking in persons, plays a vital role in national development.

Dr Janet Angella Dyer

Currently the general manager of the Runaway Bay HEART Hotel in St Ann, Dyer is also a product of The HEART Trust/NTA.

A confirmed optimist, she contributes to empowering young people in marginalised communities and is involved with the work of the Runaway Bay Police Youth Club, where she encourages young people, through her own life story, that "they can make it if they really want to".

Dyer is a member of several professional and civic organisations including the Jamaica Culinary Development Committee; Caribbean Hotel Association; the Educational Institute of America; and the St Ann Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Optimist Club of Jamaica and has received numerous awards.

St Catherine

Sweavan White

Probation Officer and part-time lecturer in business and behavioural sciences at Northern Caribbean University (NCU).

White, who is a Lay Preacher, has been an effective youth leader, through his work at the Bread of Life Ministries Church. He also trains lay workers in the church and through his evangelism, mentors and influences young people.

In addition, he has been a facilitator of the Brothers for Change Programme, counselling perpetrators of domestic violence.

Murelda Folkes, JP

Murelda Folkes, a Justice of the Peace (JP), has the distinction of being the only JP in Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine, since 1998, serving a community of more than 9,000 citizens.

She has provided distinguished service on the Bench of the Old Harbour Petty Sessions Court and was zone representative and assistant secretary of the St Catherine Chapter of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica.

Throughout her life of community service, she served on the Police Consultative Committee in St Catherine. She was president of the Old Harbour Bay Community Development Association and a member of the St Catherine Community Development Committee.

In addition, she was the driving force behind the restoration of the Old Harbour Bay Police Station and post office after they were destroyed by hurricane.

St Mary

Sean St Byron Hylton

From Port Maria in St Mary, Hylton is an outstanding example of a young Jamaican who has quietly, confidently and consistently served his country. Just one measure of his achievement was the establishment of a summer school for children in 2005, and its subsequent nurturing, to provide opportunities for the youth in the parish of St Mary.

Community development is a consistent theme in Sean's life and is the basis on which he chose to be a facilitator for community-based policing in the St Mary Division.

This service allows him to directly assist in the development of his local community.

An important step in his life was the founding of the Pagee Youth for Sustainable Development Club in 2004. Its goal is to foster social cohesion among the youth of Pagee and to promote their educational and employment opportunities.

Hylton's dedication to community service is also mirrored in his choice of career as an urban and regional planner, he is now employed to the St Mary Parish Council as a physical-planning coordinator.

Dr David Crawford, JP

A Justice of the Peace of St Mary, Crawford is a sportsman. His most outstanding sporting achievement has been in developing a foundation for cricket in the parish of St Mary.

When he moved to St Mary as a medical officer in 1975, he chose to assist with the development of cricket in the parish. In 1997 he was elected president of the St Mary Cricket Association and was in the position for 20 years after serving as a match organiser and umpire. In addition, he was also a member of the Marymount school board.

He was called to service at the national level and sat on the Jamaica Cricket Board for 20 years. He later became a life member of both boards.

Recipients of the Youth Award for Excellence are:

St Mary: Elise Bernadette Barnett

St Catherine: Alecia T Angel Maragh

Manchester: Nicholas Edward Powell

Clarendon: Aldeen Sharee Simmonds