Natural History Museum Awards Top Students in Earth Day Competition

The Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ) held its annual Earth Day essay, poster and photography competition award ceremony ON Wednesday (April 22) where prizes, including cash, were presented to top students in each category.
This year’s competition, themed: ‘Global Warning’, was targeted at high school students and aimed to expose them to environmental awareness issues.
Former Education Outreach Officer for the NHMJ, Dr. Sherene James Williamson, in her remarks at the award function held at the Institute of Jamaica’s (IOJ) Lecture Hall, downtown Kingston, pointed out that the theme for the competition was fitting as it “reflects what is happening now”.
“People are coming to the reality now that we are vulnerable,” she said, while pointing to the importance of such competitions in raising public awareness of the need to preserve the environment.
Senior Research Officer for Entomology at the NHMJ, Dionne Newell, urged more environmental education among young people to create a green generation.
A total of 18 schools participated in the competition, with 64 entries submitted. The number comprised 17 essay, 35 poster and 12 photography entries, which were judged on several criteria including originality, interpretation of theme and presentation of content.

Akino Lewis, a Cornwall College student, (second left) explains to Communication Assistant at the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd. (JPS), Detommie Sergeant, the essence of his winning poster entry in the Natural History Museum of Jamaica’s (NHMJ), annual Earth Day Essay, Poster and Photography competition, during an awards ceremony held at the Institute of Jamaica’s (IOJ) Lecture Hall, downtown Kingston on Wednesday(April 22).

Khamal Clayton of Cornwall College in St. James won the essay component of the competition, with Shaquille Brown of St. Andrew High School for Girls placing second, and Kathrina Watson of Hampton High school in St. Elizabeth, placing third.
Cornwall College swept the poster contest, with Akino Lewis, Harraine Brown, and Kona Weatherly, placing first, second and third, respectively.
First and second place in the photography competition went to Vanessa Logan of Immaculate Conception High School in Kingston, who submitted four entries, while third place went to Saffia King of St. Andrew High School for Girls.
Prizes for the winners included day passes for two to Chukka Caribbean Adventures in St. Ann; gift packages from Landline Internet Mobile Entertainment (LIME); trophies; cash awards; and scholarships for short course in the respective categories of the competition.
The NHMJ formerly, the Natural History Division is a division of the IOJ and serves as the storehouse of the country’s natural heritage.
Since 1990, the Institute, through the NHMJ, has been involved in various activities to highlight Earth Day, which is celebrated worldwide on April 22.