23 receive first Youth Excellence Awards

Twenty-three young people have been recognized for their contribution to nation building across various sectors in the inaugural Youth Excellence Awards 2024.

The winners were chosen from among 123 nominees through a process of public voting in an initiative hosted by the Youth Advisory Council SVG.

Speaking at the awards ceremony on Saturday, January 11, 2025, Minister of Youth and Sports, Orande Brewster dubbed the event an “excellent showing” of the skills and talents of Vincentian youth.

“… it is our belief that our young people must be given the opportunity to soar with their wings unclipped.”

Brewster added that the nominees have much of which to be proud for distinguishing themselves amongst the many talented youth in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves said the event was about celebrating the accomplishments of the country’s youth, as well as the Youth Advisory Council. He also said many of the suggestions made by the Council have been included
in the 2025 Estimates and Budget 2025, which was presented yesterday, January, 13,2024 in the House of Assembly.

Some of these include the ‘Feature Athletes Support and Training Fund’ (FAST) to be used to pay for the training and coaching of young athletes who have Olympic potential. There are also provisions for footballers playing in the country’s Premier League competition to be paid for their participation.

Below is the list of award winners:

Youth Excellence in Security – Edson Smith
Vincentian Youth Ambassador – Adia Daniel
Regional Integration Youth Champion – Chevelle Campbell
Excellence in Youth Empowerment Award – Christel Sutherland
Youth Athlete of the Year – Shafiqua Maloney
Youth Leader in Construction – Lorenzo Bacchus
Youth Champion in Architecture – James Campbell
Engineer of the Future – Luzanna Edwards
Tourism Youth Ambassador Award- Cherice Roberts
Youth Sailor Excellence Award – O’shaun Hazell
Most Outstanding Youth in TVET – Xavier Stapleton
Youth Journalism Excellence Award- Demion McTair
Best Mobile or Web Application – Karim Cambridge
Cultural Heritage Award – Jonella Charles
Cultural Excellence Award – Saeed Bowman
Creative Arts Excellence Award – Kamillo Edwards
Most Outstanding Youth Farmer – Tishorn Edwards
Most Resolute Youth Award – D’Shawn Kydd
Youth Worship Leader – Walt Carter
Youth Visionary Award – Kelisha Ryan
Youth Digital Media Excellence – Jada Ross
Environmental Stewardship Award – Delight Ollivierre
Dr Ariel Gibson Health and Well being Excellence
Prime Minister’s Champion Award – Jada Ross.
Chairman of the Youth Advisory Council, Anson Latchman, encouraged those who did not win in their categories not to be discouraged as the 2025 awards is already slated on the calendar of events, along with other initiatives.