A dozen dynamic young people gained recognition for their achievements and potential on Wednesday, 19 April 2017, during this year’s "Proud of Them" (PoT) awards ceremony and reception.
Accompanied by friends and family, recipients were feted at the George Town Yacht Club.
Minister of Community Affairs, Youth and Sports, Hon. Osbourne Bodden presented this year’s honourees with their certificates and $500 cash stipends. He was supported by his Chief Officer Dorine Whittaker as well as Reverend Donovan Myers, Chairman of the National Youth Commission. The Ministry’s Assistant Chief Officer and Chair of the PoT selection committee, Joel Francis, was the evening’s master of ceremonies.
This year’s awardees were: 25-year-old Jonathan Christian (GT) nominated for Academics and Business, 16-year-old Chambria Dalhouse (GT) nominated for Sports,16-year-old Kaela Ebanks (WB) nominated for Sports, 14-year-old Alison Jackson (GT) nominated for Sports, 23-year-old Brittany Mobley (GT) nominated for Sports, 24-year-old Jessica Moore (GT) nominated for Career, 23-year-old Kayla Ramos (WB) nominated for Academics, 16-year-old Isaiah Robinson (GT) nominated for Academics, 16-year-old Holly Thompson (GT) nominated for Academics/ Community Service, 20-year-old Tayvis Walters (GT) nominated for Career/Business and Community Service,15-year-old Martina Watler (GT) nominated for Academics and 18-year-old Aaron West (GT) nominated for Academics.
The recipients were chosen from more than 120 nominations in what Rev. Myers said had been a difficult but ultimately rewarding selection choice.
In his remarks celebrating the awardees and their outstanding work ethic, Minister Bodden said, “Each recipient has already distinguished themselves as an individual to be looked to for further success. As well as being role models for your peers [they] have also earned, the respect of [their] community.”
“The Cayman Islands needs young people of your calibre to drive the economic and social success your achievements foreshadow.”
Minister Bodden also applauded their parents and families for the awardees’ achievements.
Pharmacist Henry Walters said, “His mother and I are delighted that Tayvis is a Proud of Them recipient. He’s passionate about everything he does and his leadership skills are being put to good use by his employer Appleby as a student mentor.”
PoT awardee Chambria Dalhouse was equally enthusiastic about being an honouree. She said, “I am honoured to be one of this year’s recipients. I really didn’t expect to be chosen as I know that they get a lot of nominations. I’m still taking it all in but will definitely put my stipend towards saving for college.”
The faces and biographies of the young honourees will soon grace the "Proud of Them" billboards throughout Grand Cayman shortly.
Proud of Them is an initiative of the National Youth Commission which, as well as monitoring the implementation of the National Youth Policy, advocates for and on behalf of young people.