Chetwood Memorial Students Shine In JIS Heritage Competition

Outstanding students from Chetwood Memorial Primary School in St. James dominated the essay component of the 2021 Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Heritage Competition, with students placing first, second and third.

They also copped three of the six category certificate awards in the essay component.

The star student who edged out her competitors to win the essay competition, 11-year-old Okaejah Stephens, wowed the judges with her highly researched, well written piece. This earned her the top prize of a tablet, courtesy of Innovative Corporate Solutions; a cash prize of $15,000 from Guardian Life; a weekend for four at FDR Resorts; and a first place trophy.

Okaejah also copped the category certificate award for best entry in the 11-year-old category and best researched entry in the essay component.

For this aspect of the competition, primary-level students were required to submit an essay, using the theme: “Triumphant, Proud and Free”, to explain Jamaica’s heritage and achievements.

Special Projects Manager and Chair of the JIS Planning Committee which executes the Heritage Competition, Andrine Davidson, notes that Okaejah’s essay stood out, as it demonstrated excellent writing skills and a clear understanding of the theme.

“The essay started with a question to the reader to consider how awesome it is that as a nation we are triumphant, proud and free. It ended with a call to action to continue honouring the country for these achievements,” she notes.

Mrs. Davidson says Okaejah’s expressions were clear as she affirmed the theme, giving sound definitions for “Triumphant, Proud and Free” and grounded them in the Jamaican context.

“She provided historical evidence and appropriate references, and her points were well developed, orderly, and lucid,” she says.

Okaejah, who is a Grade 5 student, tells JIS News that she strongly stands by the late Russian revolutionary leader and theorist, Vladimir Lenin’s quote that “Learning is never done without errors and defeat,” which fuelled her drive and determination as she worked diligently on the essay.

“[I had a] drive to do my best and looking at the prizes ahead and determination to complete the task given despite the many distractions around. I am extremely elated and thankful that I came out victorious,” she says.

The aspiring fashion designer says she is grateful for her support team and her coach, Special Education teacher Vinnette Webb who guided her throughout the process.

Ms. Webb, who currently teaches Reading in Grades 4 and 5 at Chetwood Memorial where she has taught for nine of the 17 years she has been teaching, tells JIS news that even though she does not teach Okaejah, she is a member of her essay writing club “and as such, I am familiar with her talents, abilities and brilliancy.

“I was responsible for coaching her throughout this competition. She is a humble student who is determined to excel and therefore, she works hard at any task given to her. Having to redo aspects of her essay over and over, she never frowned or got disheartened. It was always, “Yes Miss, I will have it done immediately.” This attitude made it easy to work with her and ensure she gave of her best,” Ms. Webb shares.

Ms. Webb says this was the school’s second time entering the JIS competition and the motivation to enter “stems from the fact that the essay topics are not only interesting but has helped our students garner a greater knowledge and appreciation for Jamaica’s culture and heritage”.

She was responsible for selecting and pairing students with a coach who guided them throughout the writing process. A total of seven students entered the competition this year.

“Prior to the writing process students, teachers and myself met via Google platform to discuss, dismantle and reassemble the essay topic thus ensuring all involved has a full understanding of the topic, their expectations and what areas they should focus their research on. Once all essays are completed, they are submitted to me for vetting. This is where I proofread for errors and have students make the necessary corrections where needed,” she says.

Ms. Webb says she is proud of the students’ success because the process was tedious at times.

“Students had to write numerous times to get it right, so their tenacity to stick to the task and become victorious is something to be truly proud of,” she says.

Another competitor from the school, Abigail Mundle who placed second and also copped the category certificate award for the essay component for best entry in the10-year-old category, says she is elated at the outcome of the competition.

“Even though I was not in first place, I am feeling very excited that my essay had brought me to the point where I could travel to Kingston and proudly take second position at the awards ceremony. I know I did my very best and my best is always good enough, so I am very proud of myself. Special thanks to my Coach Miss Merlene Brown for her patience and time invested in me,” she says.

In third place, Shadair Green expresses gratitude at having been a part of the JIS Heritage competition which “has helped to strengthen my writing skills and has taught me how to conduct research.

“Although I was not placed first in the competition, being in third place made me feel like the winner. I have worked really hard and I am super proud of the position I have taken. The support from my Coach Mrs. Williams Brown and my school family has certainly made me feel triumphant and proud,” the 10-year-old says.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JIS Donna-Marie Rowe, says the JIS Heritage Competition has given young people the opportunity to amplify their voices and become a part of the discussion on important matters.

Mrs. Rowe says she is pleased that the students rose to the challenge and worked hard on their entries, noting that the quality of the entries, especially the essays was very high.

The annual competition which is in its 11^th year, invited students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels to submit entries in the essay, poster and photography categories, depicting the theme: “Triumphant, Proud and Free.”

The top entrants in each category of the competition were presented with their prizes during an awards ceremony at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St. Andrew on December 15.

The competition forms part of the JIS’ thrust to engage students in national discussions and to widen their knowledge about Jamaica’s heritage.