Deborah Lynch of St. Hilda's High School, winner of the 12-15 age group of the Sandals Ocho Rios Schools Tourism Essay Competition, proudly receives her award from the resort's Assistant Manager Kemol Dixon. - Contributed JOSHUA DAYE of Ferncourt and Deborah Lynch of St. Hilda's High Schools were the major winners at the Sandals Ocho Rios High School Tourism Competition prizegiving ceremony held at the resort on Wednesday.
Daye's Essay on "What measures could the Minister of Tourism put in place to increase tourism arrivals in Jamaica" won for himself the Michael Darby Trophy and a weekend for four at Beaches Negril for being top in the 15-17 age group category.
Lynch won the Sandals Ocho Rios Trophy and a weekend for four at Beaches Boscobel for her entry entitled "What are some of the benefits that Jamaica derives from tourism".
Sandals Ocho Rios resident Manager Clive Miller said the sponsorship of the competition was a further step in the hotel's community outreach programme and was aimed at increasing the awareness of the youngsters in the industry.
Mr. Miller lauded the standard of entries and the amount. Well over 100 entries were received from the eight schools participating in the competition.
Daye was the only male winner in the female dominated competition and was pleased as punch to have claimed the major award. His essay made several important points on ways of improving the industry.
An overjoyed Lynch credited her success to hard work and assistance of her teacher. She hailed Sandals Ocho Rios for their interest in the schools and noted the value of tourism to Jamaica.
Public relations manager Ian Spencer said the hotel would continue its outreach programmes and seek to broaden the competition in the future.
Other prize winners were 12-14 age category: Tamara McKayle of Westwood High in second place and Melessa Bodden of Exchange All-Age in third place.
In the 15-17 age group, Yanique Walford of Westwood placed second while Dionne Davis, also of Westwood third.
Westwood received a special prize for being the school with the most entries, while teachers of the winning students also received prizes for weekends at Sandals Resorts.
