St Kitts, Jamaica Capture Top Positions In Inaugural CARICOM Essay Competition

By: Tito Chapman

Young Basseterre High School student Hadassah Cuffy, is the junior winner of the Inaugural Regional Secondary School Essay Writing Competition, which concluded on 31st March 2020.

The competition was a key component of the advocacy drive by the CARICOM Competition Commission to foster a competition and consumer culture in the region, from the ground up.
 
It targeted 2 categories of students:
1. Students aged 12-15 years; and
2. Students aged 16-19 years.

Cuffy placed 1st in the 12-15 category and will be awarded a prize of US$1000. Her school, the Basseterre High School, is also expected to receive a prize. The 16-19 category was won by Jerome Samuels of Jamaica College.
 

Cuffy’s essay on “How does Fair Competition among businesses benefit me and my region” will be published on the website of the CCC at www.caricomcompetitioncommission.com; not only as a means of showcasing her work, but also for the educational benefit of her peers.

In an exlusive interview with Cuffy, she explained that, it was her first time entering a competition of such magnitude.

I am extremely excited that I won the competition.

Having made a last minute submission in December of 2019, I wasn’t sure if it was received. The fact is that, the deadline was the 13th, and my essay was submitted at 11:33pm that same night. So, today’s news, is definitely a surprise.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank God for my ability, which allowed me to be successful even though I wasn’t sure of the outcome. Special thanks to my parents, especially my mom, who not only encouraged me to participate in this competition but also lent me a second pair of eyes on my entry. I am eternally grateful.

The CCC, in a press release dated 30th April 2020, highlighted that a total of 50 essays were received from across the region. These submissions received high commendations from the Chairman of the CCC for the high quality of work and creativity which went into the essays.
 
SKN PULSE extends heartiest congratulations to Hadassah on her win.

The complete results were as follows:

Category 1 – Age: 12-15

First place USD 1000: Hadassah Cuffy (St. Kitts & Nevis)

Basseterre High School

Second place USD 750: Hadiah McBean (Guyana) St Joseph Secondary

Third place USD500: Hayley-Shai Kassie (Montserrat)

Category 2 – Age: 16-19

First place USD 1000: Jerome Samuels (Jamaica) Jamaica College

Second place USD750: Celeste Samuel (Trinidad & Tobago) ASJA Girls’ College San Fernando

Second place USD750: Simone Ann Cruz (Belize) Sacred Heart College