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On 23rd May, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade hosted the Awards and Prize-Giving Ceremony to recognize the winners of the Nationwide Literary Arts Competition, which was held to commemorate World Creativity and Innovation Day 2022.

The Nationwide Literary Arts Competition provided an opportunity for Vincentians to reflect on and document experiences relating to the 2021 volcanic eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano in four categories: Essay, Narrative Poetry, Pictorial Narrative, and Short Story.

The top awardees from this year’s competition received cash prizes, trophies, and certificates. In the Envoys (9-13 years) age group, 1st place participants were awarded $1,000, 2nd place participants were awarded $500, and 3rd place participants were awarded $350, in each category. In the Ambassadors (14 -18 years) age group, 1st place participants were awarded $2,000, 2nd place participants were awarded $1,000, and 3rd place participants were awarded $750, in each category. In the Diplomats (19 years and older) age group, 1st place participants were awarded $4,000, 2nd place participants were awarded $2,000, and 3rd place participants were awarded $1,250 in each category. All awardees placing 1st also received handsets compliments Digicel SVG. The top three performers in each category and age group are outlined below.

In the Essay category, in the Envoys age group (9-13 years):

1st place – Isabella Sam, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
2nd place – Tyrique Gaymes, Thomas Saunders Secondary School
3rd place – Kathryn Cumberbatch, St. Vincent Girls’ High School

In the Essay category, in the Ambassadors age group (14–18 years):

1st place – Jadiah Sampson, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College
2nd place – Arianna Jardine, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College
3rd place – Diajon Gibbs, St. Martin’s Secondary School

In the Essay category, in the Diplomats age group (19+ years):

1st place – Melanie Grant
2nd place – Daree Myers
3rd place – Phillia Alexander

In the Narrative Poetry category, in the Envoys age group (9-13 years):

1st place – Rylii Tyler Matthias, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
2nd place – Nahra Stowe, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
3rd place – Olivia Prescott, St. Vincent Girls’ High School

In the Narrative Poetry category, in the Ambassadors age group (14–18 years):

1st place – Ashlyn Francis, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
2nd place – Jadiah Sampson, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College
3rd place – Kiana Bailey, St. Vincent Girls’ High School

In the Narrative Poetry category, in the Diplomats age group (19+ years):

1st place – NC Marks
2nd place – Shernell Hadaway
3rd place – La Tonya Nichols and Marlon Joseph

In the Pictorial Narrative category, in the Envoys age group (9-13 years):

1st place – Ennabelle McMaster, Windsor Primary School
2nd place – Alyssa Young, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
3rd place – Vaunice John, Sugar Mill Academy

In the Pictorial Narrative category, In the Ambassadors age group (14–18 years):

1st place – Genevieve McMaster, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
2nd place – Bradley Alexander, St. Vincent Grammar School
3rd place – Ceronique Mitchell, St. Vincent Girls’ High School

In the Pictorial Narrative category, in the Diplomats age group (19+ years):

1st place – Steven Veira
2nd place – Maxanne Rock and Shanique Stewart

In the Short Story category, in the Envoys age group (9-13 years):

1st place – Leah Nanton, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
2nd place – Joshua Dennie, Kingstown Preparatory School
3rd place – Adian Straker, Buccament Government School

In the Short Story category, in the Ambassadors age group (14–18 years):

1st place – Ashlyn Francis, St. Vincent Girls’ High School
2nd place – Keonna Simon, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College
3rd place – Jadiah Sampson and Sacarria Francis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College

In the Short Story category, in the Diplomats age group (19+ years):

1st place – Janielle Browne
2nd place – Gian Paul-Baker, Zonnia Shallow, Denise Westfield, and Raheem Hall

There were also consolation prize winners who received certificates and cash prizes of $50, $150, and $300 in the Envoys, Ambassadors, and Diplomats age groups, respectively.

The Nationwide Literary Arts Competition to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day 2022 was generously facilitated through partnership with the Republic of India.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade