Latoya Ottley is the 2006-2007 recipient of the Arts and Culture Jamaica (ACJAM) Scholarship Award.

The presentation was made to the first-year York University student by ACJAM's founder, Paula de Ronde, at the organisation's recent Christmas bazaar held at the Jamaican Consulate General in Toronto, Canada.

Mrs. De Ronde said Ms. Ottley was very deserving of the award, which is given to talented young people of Jamaican heritage, who are pursuing studies in the arts.

A communications arts students, Ms. Ottley has been a member of the award-winning Toronto Children's Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company (TC3) since 2001. As a section leader, she is responsible for a group of her peers and acts as 'big sister' to younger members.

Ms. Ottley has performed for former Prime Minister of Canada, Paul Martin, and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Lincoln Alexander.

While attending Pope John II High School, she not only performed well in the traditional subjects, she also excelled in dance, music and vocal jazz. A well-rounded student, she was also elected to the student council board and represented her school in track and field.

Vocal competition

She is a recipient of many awards, including first place in the vocal competition at a music festival organisation by the New Conservatory of Music and second place in the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Association's Essay Competition.

ACJAM president, Cherita Girvan Campbell, in her remarks, thanked the gathering for their support of the organisation's activities throughout the year, which included "showcasing internationally renowned authors Olive Senior and Colin Channer, and artist, art therapist and writer Vivienne Burnett."

She called on the audience to maintain the support in 2007, as a ACJAM continued its mandate of showcasing and promoting the "unique arts and cultures of Jamaica."