- Winston Sill photos/Freelance Photographer
At left, Paul Simpson, winner in the 14-16 years category, accepts one of his many prizes from G2K President, Dr. Ronald Robinson. At centre, eleven-year-old Jerome Harris accepts his prize for the winning entry in the 11-13 years category from Dr. Ronald Robinson. In the background is MC Dr. David Panton. At right, Sania Crumbie, right, accepts a gift package from 1998 Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee winner, Jodie-Ann Maxwell, at the Generation 2000 (G2K) children's photo competition/exhibition held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel recently. She was the winner in the 8-10 year category.
Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter
THEY SCOURED their environment for images to photograph ordinary events and activities, perhaps, something unusual and were enouraged to explore the creativity of taking pictures.
They took 15 shots each, some 108 children from 12 children's homes and places of safety islandwide. They amassed over 1,600 prints which were sifted through and passed on to a panel of judges for the gruelling task of final selection. Judges were renowed photographer Ken Ramsay, Dr. Owen Minott, and Franklyn St. Juste.
In the end, 88 photographs were chosen and put on display at the Hilton Kingston Hotel between June 13-17, under the theme "A Child's Point of View".
The photographic search was a project of Generation 2000 (G2K), a group of young professionals affiliated to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). And, according to G2K vice-president and initiator of the project, Mitzie Pratt, it was part of the group's strategic development "to reach out to less fortunate children, abandoned children, and those afflicted with HIV/AIDS."
Master of ceremonies, Dr. David Panton, told the audience at the official opening that it was felt that a photographic competition and exhibition would stimulate greater interest from the children and provide a medium for them to express their thoughts.
And, through their pictures, the young photographers spoke about beautiful landscapes, bright flora, and everyday activities. Winners were selected from the three age groups 8-10 years, 11-13, and 14-16 years and awarded prizes which included Fuji disposable cameras, gift certificates from Ammar's, and scholarships to summer school at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
Ten-year-old Sania Crumbie emerged winner in the 8-10 years category, with a focus on an old pit toilet. Hailing from the SOS Children's Village in Montego Bay, she later told The Sunday Gleaner that she sought to highlight "negative" images in her environment with the hope that they could be cleaned up.
Her other submissions featured mounds of garbage and old trailers which are on the compound of the Barry Town All-Age School, which she attends.
Eleven-year-old Jerome Harris was fortunate to capture a member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in scarlet tunic standing guard at Heroes Circle at the National Heroes Park in Kingston. This earned him the top prize in the 11-13 years category.
Nattily attired, but extremely shy, the youngster collected his camera, gift certificate and framed photograph of his award-winning entry.
Although residing at the Homestead Place of Safety when the competition began, he is now a resident at the Alpha Boys' Home on South Camp Road, Kingston, and photographed the sentry on a trip to the park.
Fourteen-year-old Paul Simpson, from Maxfield Park Children's Home, was the winner in the 14-16 category, with an entry featuring a staffer sitting under a spreading, shady tree.
"I was excited about my photograph being chosen a winner. It was a nice picture, I think. And I'm very excited about the camera which I've received which will help me to take more photographs," he told The Sunday Gleaner.
Special mentions were made of four other entries in the 14-16 category, and one each in the other two sections.
Prizes were presented by G2K President, Dr. Ronald Robinson, 1998 Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee winner, Jodie-Ann Maxwell, while Barbara Requa, acting principal at Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, presented the scholarships to the winners.
The competition received much corporate support from companies such as Hot Shots (which sponsored the developing of all photographs), Gav Imports (mounting of photographs), Church's Chicken (gift bags), Max-Brown Limited (albums and disposable cameras) Island Car Rentals (transportation) and International Assets Services Limited (donation of a computer to the Dare to Care Children's Home), Hilton Hotel, and Serenity Park, and Max-Brown Limited..
Ms. Pratt told The Sunday Gleaner that she was "overwhelmed" by the generosity of the sponsors, who "went over and beyond the call of duty. My deepest gratitude for their willing assistance."
During the evening, some of the photographs were purchased by the many persons in attendance. Miss Pratt told The Sunday Gleaner that proceeds from sales will go towards catering for the child whose photograph was sold.
Given the success of this project, Ms. Pratt said the G2K group hopes to explore links with other organisations (regionally and nternationally) to examine issues related to youth and women in the society.
