It’s twice as nice for Calliaqua Anglican

For the second straight year, a pupil of the Calliaqua Anglican School has won the Ministry of Health’s Primary Schools Public Speaking competition.{{more}}

This time around it was Rhea Caine who took the top spot, beating students from nine other primary institutions, in the competition which was organized by the Ministry’s Health Promotion Unit.

The event, which was sponsored by the HIV /AIDS Prevention and Control project, was held at the Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday, June 23rd.

Speaking on the topic “Child Sexual Molestation and its Impact on Their Health”, the pupils dealt with an issue which was deemed very sensitive and yet timely, given the attention it has been receiving of late.

Armed with appropriate definitions, accompanied by quotes from highly reliable sources, including SEARCHLIGHT, the future public speakers looked at the detrimental physical, social and psychological effects of Child Sexual Assault, and called for an end to what was described by some as a ‘heinous crime’ and a ‘scourge’.

Speakers also made recommendations as to what should be done to persons convicted of Child Molestation, ranging from maximum prison sentences to castration.

The presentations, well researched and in most cases well delivered, received high praise from chief judge Barbara Matthews, who was assisted by Kay Martin Jack and Terrance Haynes.

But it was Caine, who spoke for six minutes 49 seconds of the allotted eight minutes in her prepared speech, and who stood out in her one minute impromptu delivery, who received the judges’ nod, which secured her the first prize of a laptop computer and two trophies.

Second place winner Jasian Gardener, of the Belair Government School, was the winner of a desk top computer and a trophy, while Lowmans Leeward Anglican School representative Britney Taylor in placing third received a digital camera and a trophy.

All participants received cash prizes and certificates.

The computers and camera were donated by Courts St. Vincent Ltd, who were sponsoring the six-year event for the first time.

The other participating schools were Diamonds Government (Sunique King), Evesham Primary (Chelcia Jackson), Questelles Government (Shyann Lewis), Bequia Angllian (Brittney Mitchell), Paget Farm Government (Fiona Hazell), Barrouallie Government (Danieka Patrick) and Kingstown Government (Keilon Prescott). (JJ)