90+ students graduate from Summer Crash Academy

A one-week programme, geared at enhancing the computer skills of children in North Leeward, ended on August 17, with more than 90 of the students graduating and receiving certificates and school supplies.{{more}}

The closing ceremony, which took place at the Troumaca Primary School, included entertainment by national calypso monarch Shernel “Skarpyon” Williams, who told SEARCHLIGHT that he was elated to be at the event, as the children represent the future, and that his performance was just a little sweetening added to the serious business of learning.

“I hope that the children put the knowledge that they gained to good use, so that they can be successful in life,” the Caribbean soca award recipient said.

At the opening of the programme a week earlier, at the same venue, the audience heard addresses from featured speaker Sehon Marshall, as well as area representative Roland Matthews and former representative Dr Jerrol Thompson. The 2013 soca monarch Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle gave a performance at the opening.

The Summer Crash Academy Kids Workshop is in its second year, and was started at the initiative of Jolene Lewis, a teacher of Information Technology (IT) at the Tromouca Ontario Secondary School (TOSS).

At that time, Lewis told SEARCHLIGHT that since there were no computer classes anywhere in North Leeward, she got together with a few young teachers at the school and they started computer evening classes for adults.

Lewis described that first programme as a success, as over 50 adults, mainly women, completed the programme.

Last summer was the start of the children’s programme, which included basic computing and how to care for their computers. This year, however, the programme included typing, graphics, creating simple documents and cyber safety.

A session on cyber-bullying was facilitated by personnel from the Ministry of Education.

This year’s activities were held at the TOSS computer lab, with funding provided by various businesses in Kingstown, as well as in the North Leeward area.

Lewis said that sponsorship consisted mostly of food and snacks and school supplies.

The other volunteers who worked with Lewis were Chazelle Hackkshaw, Gasley Cottle, Lorenzo Edwards, Chivaughn Hooper, Romique Hooper and Domario Stapleton. (TY)