Storm Halbich victorious in Condé Nast essay contest

Storm Halbich has done it again! In an award ceremony held on Monday, October 27th, at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Conference in Trinidad, the 10-year-old was named winner of the Condé Nast Traveler “My Caribbean” Essay Contest.{{more}}

The announcement of Storm’s $2,000 scholarship prize was made by Klara Glowczewska, Editor in Chief of Condé Nast Traveler. Storm’s winning essay will also be featured in the January “Gold List” issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Given the topic: “If you could share a secret about your island with someone visiting for the first time, what would it be?” Storm wrote: “I really want to tell you about our friendly and interesting people who are always ready to welcome you to our country. Let me tell you about Tonty Muggy who mixes up herbs to cure everyone. Tourists come from far and wide to cure ailments by her side. And what about old man Earl who takes you on a beach lime and shows you how to catch your own fish for lunch, man you will have so much fun. Grandma Vee in her wooden house will invite you in for fresh passion fruit juice and a slice of hot banana bread; you will unbuckle your belt and beg for more. Let me carry you by Rasta Wally who will strum some sweet reggae music while we sit drinking coconut water by the seaside. So come, let me take you to find the Caribbean you’ve been looking for.”

Glowczewska also announced the two runners-up: Kemisha Sylvan of Grenada and D’Vaughn Powell of Jamaica. The two runners-up each received a $500 scholarship.

This annual contest, now in its 16th year, is administered through the school system in each Caribbean country, strives to educate primary and early secondary school children in the Caribbean about the importance of tourism in their region. After a multi-step judging process involving the ministries of tourism, the ministries of education and the Caribbean Tourism Organization, a finalist was chosen on each island. Each of the 26 finalists and a chaperone were flown to the Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC) in Trinidad and Tobago to enjoy three days of experiencing the local culture and interacting with their government delegates and ministers of tourism. The contest was created and is produced by Condé Nast Traveler in conjunction with The Caribbean Tourism Organization. This year’s local sponsors are Courtyard by Marriott and Trinidad and Tobago, The True Caribbean.

Storm is the author of a book on the natural heritage of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and has won art and essay competitions in the past.