Several senior citizens were awarded yesterday for outstanding performances in the annual National Council for Senior Citizens parish projects.

The participants vied for top positions in the categories of art, craft, culinary arts and community development projects.

St Andrew topped the overall parish position by winning a total of seven trophies. Five of those were for winning first-place awards.

Beverley Edwards, organiser of the winning team, said she was elated that the hard work had paid off.

"It takes a lot of work and dedication to complete all the projects, so I am really pleased to see that the members are rewarded," she noted.

Edwards, who also got the trophy for the best organiser, said she was not surprised, as the senior citizens were very interested despite long hours in workshops and meetings.

"I knew they would be successful because they are talented people who show that they want to win," she add.

Returning bigger, better

The organiser, who also took the top position last year, said the parish would be returning bigger and better next year and that she would be imploring more senior residents to join forces and compile more projects for the competition.

Denise Shaw, Hanover's organiser, also vowed to do better next year. Hanover had two members who were awarded in culinary arts category

"It's great to know that after a year of preparation the members could feel a sense of satisfaction," Shaw told The Gleaner.

"Next year, though, we will be doing some harder work which will help us to be more successful."

Programme organiser Charmane McFarlane said the awards were a way of commending senior citizens for the hard work they put into the projects.