Bethel wins Environment Preservation Project competition

The Bethel High School walked away from the Peace Memorial Hall last Friday, November 4, victorious in the inaugural Coreas Hazells Inc/ Ministry of Education Secondary Schools Environment Preservation Project competition.{{more}}

They took with them a cash prize of EC$3,000 and the winner’s trophy, after being declared winners of the 2010/2011 competition.

Twelve schools participated in the competition, during which they were issued project titles and challenged to identify, design, execute and plan an environmentally focused project, which would make a sustainable change in their communities and the country.

The project titles that were issued to the schools were: “Living in a plastic world”; “Plants and the environment”; “Energy conservation”; “Waste management/ litter”; “Water conservation”; “Maintenance of our beaches and streams”; “Recycling can save money”; “Conserving our eco system and atmospheric pollution”.

The Bethel High School’s project was titled “Maintenance of our Beaches and Streams.”

The George Stephens Senior Secondary received EC$1,500 for being awarded the second position, while $1,000 went to the Buccument Bay Secondary School, which took third place, while the St. Vincent Grammar School took the fourth spot and were awarded $500.

There was also a cash prize of $1,000 for the most innovative project, which was won by the George Stephens Senior Secondary.

A $50 gift voucher was also presented to each student of the top four schools.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Managing Director of Coreas Hazell Inc Joel Providence explained that the competition was originated following a management training program that took place in Barbados which he attended last year.

“The program in Barbados had as it primary focus the obligation of Caribbean businesses to fulfill their corporate social responsibility. At this session, I considered the standards and programs through which we could make a meaningful contribution to the national development here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Providence said.

The students also received commendation from the Managing Director for their commitment towards the project which done at a cost of EC$30,000.

“I would like to congratulate the 12 secondary schools that participated in the competition. I understand that there were seventeen initially, but five for one reason or the other had to drop out.

“From my personal observation, several of the projects were very creative, well thought out and well developed. I am told that many of the students were very enthusiastic about the projects and were dedicated to the task at hand.

“I regret not being able to visit any of the participating schools while they were working on their projects. The results, however, say a lot about their commitment towards the program,” Providence added.

The project was launched on October 23, 2010, and was expected to conclude in the second term of the last school year, but according to Providence, “because of certain conflicting activities, the competition was extended beyond the second term.”

Senior Education Officer Carlton “CP” Hall, in his address, explained to the large gathering of students, teachers and members of staff of Coreas and Hazels Inc that there were other programs of a similar nature that were already on the Ministry’s calendar which caused the extension of project which is in its first year.

“However, the environment is of great importance to us as human beings…

“This is so important that I hope and pray that this project will remain on the calendar of both Coreas Hazels Inc and the Ministry of Education.”

The Senior Education Officer also congratulated the students for their efforts to complete the competition and implored them to take the habit of preserving the environment beyond the project.

“This competition has ended, and I trust it will continue for years to come, and you must continue to preserve the environment beyond this competition,” Hall said.(AA)