Kerecia Young, head girl at May Pen Primary School in Clarendon, poses with her winner's trophy after being named top student during the GraceKennedy/Western Union National Primary School's English Competition awards ceremony, while Stewart Morgan, principal at May Pen Primary, looks on at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Through hard work and dedication, 12-year-old Kerecia Young has battled against the odds to be crowned winner of the second staging of the GraceKennedy/Western Union National Primary School's English Competition.

Young, who attends May Pen Primary School in Clarendon, won the trophy over 15 other parish champions and was overjoyed in victory.

"Honestly, it was my teacher who encouraged me to participate in the competition and I am very glad to have won. It was very hard work, sleepless nights and the belief that God can do all things if you dedicate yourself to the task,'' she said, after accepting her award at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew yesterday.

During the ceremony, the 16 parish champions each received book vouchers valued at $5,000 and a Western Union trophy.

Young scored 90 per cent in the English test and, for her efforts, she received $50,000 and a trophy.

While endorsing the effort of the students to do well in English, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy, Joseph Taffe, bemoaned the low level of literacy within the nation's adult population.

"Jamaica is languishing badly behind our Caribbean partners. For example, Cuba is tied for first in the world with 99.8 per cent and Jamaica sits at a world rank of 122 with 79.9 per cent. That is simply not good. Therefore, the children have to be our way forward," said Taffe.

The programme was lauded by Deputy Chief Education Officer Solomie Evering, who brought greetings on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

Money well spent

Though it was a costly exercise to put on the programme, it has been considered money well spent.

"For this aspect of the programme, it cost about $5 million," remarked Sandra Forbes, senior marketing manager for Grace-Kennedy Remittance Limited. "But it was a labour of love as it is our duty to help the nation and we are doing so through education.''

A total of $235,000 in cash and prizes was handed over during the ceremony. More than 200 schools participated in the competition, which is set at the Grade Six Achievement Test level to analyse the competence of the participants.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com