By Petulia Clarke, Staff ReporterSIXTEEN YOUNG Jamaicans were yesterday presented with pins and certificates, in the 47-year-old Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme geared at promoting self development through a programme of activities.
The awards were presented at Kings House by His Royal Highness, Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex, who arrived in the island yesterday for a two-day visit. The awardees were: Raphique Thomas and Fayona Mullings of Glenmuir High School; Fabian Watson of the Boys' Brigade; Damian Genus, Everton Afflick, Prince McNeish and Ofeseygo Brown of Jamaica College; Cavelle McInnis of Marymount High; Joshua Hammond of Cassava Piece; Kenroy Reid, Malia Mitchell, Cleon Wallace, Akeen Haughton-James, Shevaar Smith and Mikado Page of St. Mary High cadets; and Tanya Byndloss of the Girls' Brigade.
CONGRATULATIONS TO AWARDEES
The Earl congratulated the 16 for their efforts, lauding their determination to have completed the strenuous programme.
"To all the parents, friends and helpers who've helped you through, I want to say thanks for your efforts," he said. "You now know that you can do it, keep up the excellent work."
In response, awardee Fayona Mullings said that the programme challenged them to gain personal achievement. "The sojourn has been full of blisters... but the wealth of knowledge will last us a lifetime," she said. "We had struggled for a sense of self worth and this has given us hope to dream."
The awardees completed the entire programme of self-motivation through bronze, silver and gold phases in skills, including computer mechanics, drama, sign language and creative dancing. The participants were also required to participate in community service and physical recreation activities.
REQUIRES COMMITMENT
The award is a competition 'against self'. It is non-competitive and accommodates persons between ages 14 and 25 years. It carries three levels of awards, with each requiring an increasing level of commitment and effort by the participant. The criteria for gaining the award include individual effort and self-improvement, and progress is measured against each participant's original level of competence and capability. The bronze award may be achieved with reasonable determination within a year; the silver award may be won between 12 and 18 months and the gold award is achieved over a period of 18 months to two years.
Each level comprises four sections which are centred around service, expedition, skills and physical recreation. It should offer the participant the opportunity to gain an insight into his/her personality and capabilities towards character development.
Prince Edward achieved gold in the awards in 1986 and since then has been closely involved with the work of the award.
