Inspirational Initiative Empowering High-school Students To ‘ReCreate St. Mary’

High-school students across St. Mary are being given a formal platform to showcase their creativity and further develop their talents through a new initiative – ‘ReCreate St. Mary’.

The project, conceived by Miss St. Mary Festival Queen 2025, Anya Graham, challenges students to apply their technical skills in producing original works of art and innovation.

The creations are left entirely to the imagination of the students and must be their own authentic work.

The process began on February 25 and will culminate in a formal public auction on April 26. At the event, participating students will present their creations, share the stories behind them, and invite members of the public to bid on the works.

Importantly, each participating school will receive donated resources after the event, to support selected technical departments.

This, Ms. Graham notes, ensures that the initiative strengthens institutions as well as benefits individual students.

She elaborated on the vision behind the project during the formal launch held at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) St. Mary Parish Office in Port Maria on Wednesday (February 25).

Ms. Graham described ReCreate St. Mary, which is open to all high schools across the parish, as more than just a competition. “It is more than a name; it is a movement,” she declared.

“Technical skills… like carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, visual arts, and other trades are taught in our high schools. But what if these skills could be transformed into something greater? What if they could be used, not only to function, but to create, innovate, and inspire?” she said, adding “ReCreate St. Mary was formed from that very question.”

Expanding on the initiative, Ms. Graham explained, “ReCreate St. Mary challenges high-school students to create extraordinary works of art and innovation.”

“It’s not just painting but creating a living masterpiece. It’s not just connecting pipes, but designing a functional mini fountain. It’s not just wiring electricity but inventing a unique light source. It’s not just building but engineering something original,” she added.

The Festival Queen described the initiative as an “investment in innovation, youth, entrepreneurship, skill development, [and] parish pride”.

Speaking with JIS News, Ms. Graham shared the aspect of the project that excites her most.

“I am super excited for the creation process… seeing actual imaginations become reality; seeing young people excited about something that they’re passionate about,” she said.

Ms. Graham also expressed hope that the initiative will encourage students to step beyond their comfort zones.

“I am hoping and praying that this project really challenges our youth and encourages them to come out to do something extraordinary. They are to challenge themselves to do something out of the norm, to do something new… and to just come into their true potential,” she stated.

The Festival Queen believes that the benefits of the initiative will extend well beyond the competition.

“Students would have not only learnt a skill, or perhaps developed a productive hobby but they would have created something extraordinary and generated income from it. In essence, they would have become their own boss,” she stated.

Ms. Graham added that the initiative will “directly fuel the creativity and the future of our youth,” ultimately contributing to stronger communities and a brighter future.

JCDC St. Mary Parish Manager, Sanya Maragh, described the project as “unique” and outlined the Commission’s role in supporting the initiative.

“In terms of resources, the JCDC and the Festival Queen will assist in the sense… [of identifying] a sponsor. So, for example, if somebody is doing something in regard to plumbing, we know that we can call on [Chief Executive Officer of Plumbers Elite, Seymour Green], because he will assist,” she said, adding, “we will assist where we can”.

Ms. Maragh also addressed concerns regarding support for individual participants.

“In regard to identifying a student with an innovative product that you want to assist, we would love… if we are also aware,” she noted.

This, the Parish Manager added, to ensure fairness and prevent any student from gaining an unfair advantage.