9-year-old takes Courts local Reading Competition top prizes

With a dazzling smile and a vibrant personality, petite Solange Compton read her way to the top, and was declared the winner of the local leg of the Courts OECS Reading Competition 2011.{{more}}

Compton, a nine-year-old pupil of the Kingstown Preparatory School, out-read eight other competitors in the finals of the competition, which took place on Friday, October 14, 2011, at Frenches House.

Compton also walked away with the Best Read Narrative and Best Read News Item. For her win, she will represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the regional competition in St. Kitts and Nevis on October 20, 2011. She also received cash prizes of $2,000, both for herself and her school. In addition, Compton received a Savings Account, compliments CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, a dental care package from Dental Care and a $200 Gift Certificate redeemable at Jujube Book Store, compliments SearchlIght.

Today, Tuesday, October 18, Solange, who is the daughter of Afi Charles and Lyf Compton, will make an appearance on SVG TV News.

Ranique Peters of the Belair Government School took second place, winning a $1,000 cash prize, along with a trophy. Ellean Bailey of the Windsor Primary settled for the third position and was awarded $750. Fourth and fifth place went to Lydia Spring of the Fitz Hughes Government School and Avin Cruickshank of the Lowmans Leeward Anglican School, respectively. Both participants were awarded $500.

The nine finalists received $100 savings accounts from CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, books from Jujube and Acute Cosmetics, and trophies from Multigraphic services, while the top three readers received dental packages from Dental Care.

The nine finalists of the competition tackled two pieces of reading. The first round saw the participants reading a narrative “the Birds, the Beasts and the Bat”, which told of a traitorous bat who kept switching sides during a battle in the animal kingdom.

In the second round, the stage was transformed into a newsroom as students read a news item, which came from the Friday, October 14, 2011 issue of the Searchlight Newspaper – entitled ‘Canouan Government School gets facelift courtesy CCA’.

Making comments on behalf of the judges, Hannah Browne stated that throughout the entire competition, though students performed exceptionally well, there remained struggles with pronunciation and expression. Browne noted that teachers should pay attention to pronunciation and also general information, such as the names

of ministers within the country.

Stating that the Courts Reading Competition is meant to improve literacy and reading skills among this nation’s children, Marketing Manager of Courts Alexis John added that the competition is a way to open the minds and possibilities of the nation’s children.

Also emphasizing the importance of reading, Aldia Gumbs Dyer, representative of the Ministry of Education, reminded those present that reading is essential in all areas of life, and in every activity, the ability to read is often required.

The finals also included an Open Floor session, where audience members participated in reading passages, and a question and answer session to win prizes. Students were also given tips on how to read a news item by Laferne Fraser, a former Miss SVG and Miss Carival and IKTV news anchor. Other members of the audience also offered suggestions and feedback on the competition. (OS)