13 earn Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award

THIRTEEN YOUNG VINCENTIANS are now the recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

The group received their award in an official ceremony during the visit of the Earl and Countess of Wessex to St Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday, April 23 as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Jared Soleyn, a member of the Cadet Corps who stands 6’ 8” tall shares a light moment with the Earl and Countess as he steps forward to accept his award.

Governor General, Dame Susan Dougan said the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme is a non-formal educational programme that has transformed and enriched the lives of of millions of young people throughout the Commonwealth.

Participants can be between the ages of 14 and 24 and are engaged in activities to develop proficiency and dexterity in several practical skills.

It also helps to build social and communication skills.

“The Duke of Edinburgh programme is therefore valuable to assist with molding of characters, complementing academic activities and assisting young people to remain focused, involved and to attain high standards of achievement, by learning to be disciplined at critical periods of their lives,” the Governor General said.

She also congratulated the recipients of the Gold award.

“I expect you to treasure the memory of the Duke of Edinburgh and carry on the mantle of leadership with dignity, while translating what you have learned and achieved into your everyday lives,” Dougan said.

Jared Soleyn, a member of the Cadet Corps was among the 13 recipients who received the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award on the weekend.

The 23-year-old, who stands at an impressive 6ft 8” had a light moment with the Wessexes as he stepped forward to accept his award.

“I feel excited. I worked very hard for it,” Soleyn told SEARCHLIGHT during a reception that followed the official ceremony.

The Cadet said his journey to receiving the award included community service and an expedition in St Lucia, where he worked together as part of a team with other awardees who helped one another in the tasks presented.

Soleyn, who has been a member of the Cadet Corps for 11 years, said his drive to attain the award came from his overall desire to challenge himself.

“I learned a lot of new stuff,” the 23-year-old said as he described the process as “a fun experience” that afforded him the opportunity to meet new people from varying backgrounds, and experience adventure in a different country.

The other Gold Award recipients included other members of the Cadet Corps, Alex Davis and Rick Hunt, who is also a member of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force; a member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Scout Association, Lemuel Providence; and nine members from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Girl Guide Association: Xariah Williams, Rayana Patrick, Betricia Stowe, Rhea Roberts, Sachi Sutherland, Alyssa Davis, Tiffany Pierre, Ajadah McLean and Justine Richardson.

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex spoke briefly after presenting recipients with their Gold award to commend their hard work.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex also spoke with some of the awardees following the ceremony at the short reception.