Maldon High School Football Team and Coach Dillon Thelwell. Inset shows Thelwell and Morrison. - Contributed Photos
Da Costa Cup Review
By Barrington Flemming Staff Reporter
Maldon High School, located in South St. James, who are still smart from their poor performance in the preliminary round in Zone A of last season’s da’Costa Cup Competition, are now in a rebuilding mode hoping to improve their performance.
The team showed sparks of brilliance in the previous two seasons but failed to fire last season, placing second to last in the competitive Zone A.
Coach Dillon Thelwell, in an interview with Western Mirror said the team was hit with a number of internal issues which saw the falling away of some key players.
“It is a fairly new squad we have because we lost 19 players from last season. We only retained three, so we have been trying to rebuild since April. We have some fresh faces and since we started in April, we have now begun to see things beginning to take shape now.”
He explained further that they entered the Under-20 competition as a means of building the team.
“This competition showed us exactly where we are. As we played the games we saw areas that needed to be strengthened and we have been doing that, so we can know what will be the right combinations, being aware that we only have a short time before the da’Costa Cup competition in two-and-a-half weeks’ time.”
Maldon got their first win in the competition on Wednesday, clipping an under-strength Norwood Strikers, who entered the game with only nine players, 1-0.
Thelwell explained that the coaching staff has drafted a three-year programme which includes the current players. “So we are not looking for great things this season as we are a young team but come next season, should we retain this core of players, and we expect that we should keep about 90 percent of them, then we should stand a better chance of competing for a place in the Inter-Zone Round,” he explained.
Team manager, Fellon Morris, was a bit more upbeat in his assessment of the team’s chances this season: “I think the team is going to do well this season even though it’s new. The experience that they have garnered over the summer holiday has actually helped them, and based on how they have been playing against the school teams in the pre-season games, they should give a good account of themselves. So I am looking for better things,” Morrison said.
Maldon have been draw in the competitive Zone A which includes the da’Costa Cup’s most prolific team in Cornwall College, which has won 12 championships, St. James High, Green Pond, Anchovy High and Irwin High.
Kirk Wiggan believes in sending the elevator back down. A tourism worker who now resides in the United States of America, calls Truro, a small community in Westmoreland, home. His passion for travelling, socializing, and learning about different cultures, steered him in the direction of the hospitality industry. His dream job has always been to be a general manager at one of the Sandals Hotels, and although his career route has taken him a distance out of the way, he has not given up on the idea.
After graduating Manning’s in the year 2001, Wiggan took a break from school before continuing his studies at the Montego Bay Community College (Com. C). There he pursued, firstly, an Associate Degree in Hospitality Management with a focus in Food and Beverage Management, and afterwards his Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management. After graduating Com. C., he got the opportunity to gain experience from the Work Travel Internship Programme. His first job was at the Kingsmill Resort, in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he gained experience in Housekeeping. In 2011, he acquired a permanent position with Windham Resorts as Room Inspector Officer. He was soon afterwards promoted to Housekeeping Manager.
After earning his MBA in 2017 from the College of William and Mary Mason School of Business, Wiggan landed a job at HMP Properties, a management company that owns multiple hotel franchises across the U.S.A. His first role there was Executive Housekeeper. He was shortly afterwards promoted to Front Office Manager, then Assistant General Manager, then Task Force General Manager, and now his current role is Regional Operations Manager. At present he has seven hotels under his portfolio. To date, his most challenging experience has been adapting to the American culture, in terms of communication in a leadership role.
DUAL BENEFIT
Although he is cemented in American Tourism, Wiggan still contributes to the Jamaican Tourism Industry. HMP Hotels rely heavily on H2B Workers each season, as there is not an ample work force in the areas where the hotels are based. They value Jamaican workers because of their work ethic and their availability. This programme allows Jamaican tourism workers to be more marketable as they are more efficient after the experience gained. He sees the programme as a dual benefit for both industries.
In a bid to further boost Jamaica’s tourism industry, Wiggan wants to start a J1 Internship Programme where students who have just graduated from community colleges and high schools can gain experience in the hotel industry for one year before continuing their studies.
“One of the main requests of Jamaican employees is work experience. If students can gain work experience while studying, they will be more marketable, and more efficient staff will be entering the Jamaican industry.” Wiggan stated.
Wiggan currently has a mentorship programme that allows him to guide youths in the West, from high school into their careers. Two of his mentees have already completed college and are now Engineers, and he is currently awaiting the CXC results of the youngest who just graduated Rusea’s High School.
FLOW MoBay Manager, JUTA operator victims of road crashes
By: Michael Nattoo/Shamir Brown
On Wednesday and Thursday, under circumstances in which both victims reportedly lost control of their vehicles, two women added to the increasing road fatalities statistics, marking off a relatively tragic week on Western Jamaica’s roads.
Dead are 40-year-old Kadesha Murray of a Martha Brae address, Trelawny, and 28-year-old Chelsie Malcolm, a JUTA operator of Cousins Cove, Hanover.
Malcolm became the first of the two women to die tragically on the road when on Wednesday, August 15, she succumbed to injuries she received in a motor vehicle accident on Lances Bay main road in the parish.
According to the Lucea Police, about 11:37 p.m., Malcolm was driving along the roadway when she lost control of her vehicle and hit a utility pole. The lawmen were alerted, and upon their arrival, Malcolm was observed suffering from injuries. She was transported to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
A few hours later on Thursday morning, over in St. James, Murray, store manager of the FLOW Fairview branch, was traveling in the direction of Falmouth from Montego Bay, when tragedy struck. According to the Fire Department, which responded to a call about 1:45 a.m. regarding an accident along the elegant corridor in Ironshore, Murray had crashed into a wall. Upon arrival at the scene and closer inspection of the crash site, the 2009 Nissan Bluebird in which Murray was traveling was seen on its top. A gaping hole was also observed in a nearby wall, which is reported to be the wall Murray collided with.
A few metres away, Murray’s injury-riddled body, bearing several lacerations, was seen.
Unconfirmed reports are that Murray had been heading home from an engagement, when her car lost control and careened off the roadway, ending up in a wall. It is suspected that well-liked Murray may have fallen asleep at the wheels.
FLOW HALTED
The close-knit FLOW Fairview branch, upon learning of Murray’s tragic passing, was overcome with grief. When this newsroom attempted to speak to Murray’s coworkers, it was revealed that the office had to be closed particularly earlier than it normally would, as staff members were unable to function.
The world-renowned Dunn’s River Falls
– Picture courtesy of Getty images/Lonely Planet images
by: Rosalee D. Wood
“When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money.”
Jamaica’s main revenue stream is from Tourism, which explains why the Tourism ministry works assiduously to increase the number of visitors each year to the island for this main reason. So far, they have done an excellent job in increasing flights and cruises from various destinations across the world. It is important to note, however, that we attract tourists because of our Geological Heritage, something we need to protect just as important as other aspects of our heritage.
When we speak of Geological Heritage, we are referring to the natural geomorphologic features that are seen as intriguing because of their beauty, scientific and/or educational value. Jamaica is known as the land of wood and water. The beauty of the island, because of these geological heritage sites, is our main selling point for tourism. Some of our more famous geological heritage sites used for tourism are the Blue Mountain, the island’s longest mountain range, the world-renowned Dunn’s River Falls, and, of course, our famous Seven Mile Beach in Negril.
In recent days, many have fallen into shock about the drying up of the Somerset Falls in Portland, one of our main tourist destinations in that part of the island, and speculations have started to arise regarding what could have caused this phenomenon. In addition, there have been cries about possible mining in the Cockpit Country, which is a protected natural reserve. One Facebook group labelled the Cockpit Warriors are opposing this by voicing the negative impact that bauxite mining will have on the environment. However, several geologists and other political figures have discarded the notion that there will be mining in the Cockpits.
Bauxite mining, however, is not the only act by mankind that can have a negative impact on the environment. Other issues that must be taken into consideration include pollution and illegal construction, and these cannot only be blamed on the government, but residents as well, who must also play their role.
PIT LATERINES, ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION AND OLD FARMING PRACTICES
Jamaica’s Geological Heritage includes the mountain ranges, our rivers, waterfalls and our beaches. The government has banned the use of single-use plastics in a bid to lessen the hazard that plastic waste has caused on the environment, while promoting more biodegradable and re-usable products. While this is considered a good move, there is still the issue of persons discarding of their waste improperly. Garbage is being dumped in gullies, in rivers and in valleys. Pollution does not only refer to improper garbage disposal. Although the country has become modernized, there are still several persons living in the country, and even the city areas, that have pit latrines. This is considered improper sewage disposal, which also negatively impacts our environment. Soil, water and air pollution are the results when either are contaminated by hazardous waste. This contributes to the creation of greenhouse gases and also harms marine and wildlife.
Construction alters geological heritage, therefore, we have to be mindful of where we build and what we build when we build. All construction must be approved by the parish council in each parish. However, the impact of illegal settlements is an issue right across the island. One of the major negative impacts of illegal construction on the environment includes flooding, landslides, and deforestation. These natural disasters help to alter the geological state of the environment. The long-term effect will see rivers changing route or drying up, less forest cover on our mountain ranges and beaches experiencing erosion.
At the recently held 67th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged that farmers refrain from “longstanding agricultural practices” such as the slash and burn technique in a bid to protect the environment. The negative effects of this practice include deforestation, depopulation of wildlife and loss of their habitats, an increase in wild bush fires, and an increase in air pollution and the release of carbon into the atmosphere – which contributes to global climate change.
If we lose our geological heritage, our island will have nothing to offer to tourists. In light of this, there are several environmentalists who have been raising awareness and teaching persons how to avoid destroying our main revenue generator. The onus is not only on the government to play their role, but also on the citizens.
WINNER: Lynford Jonas (L) of MoBay Darters accepts the trophy from Hubert Brown, Jamaica’s top darter, after topping the Men’s A Division of the Jamaica Darts Association Ranking Tournament held at the Montego Bay Cricket Club recently.
Lynford Jonas of reigning National Champions MoBay Darters, topped the Men’s A Division of the Jamaica National Darts Association Ranking Tournament held at the Montego Bay Cricket Club recently.
Jonas amassed 8 points to top the division from a field of 8 competitors. In second place was Mark Birthright, with six points, Shawn Noteman third with 4 points, and Winston Ferguson fourth, also on 4 points. Theodore Wynter, Damion Cheese and Dwight Smith and Winston Ferguson ended with 2 points each.
Many times National representative Mernel Brown dominated the Ladies A Division with 6 points , followed by Kemayia Wills 4, Novlett Bewry third with 2 points and Kerrice Moxam, who also sored two points, landing fourth place.
Fitzroy Ellison turned back all challengers to capture the Men’s B Division Open, gathering maximum 8 points to Romario Montaque, who was second with 6 points, Rahieme Scarlett notched third place with 4 points and so did Donte Burchell, also on four points. Wayon McKenzie Ruel Rowe and Tavarri Downie all tied on 2 points each.
Tavarri Downie emerged the winner in the Youth (Boys) Division after logging six points, while Raheem Scarlett was second on four points with Ruel Rowe and Ramorri Montaque third and fourth respectively on two points each.
Denee Whittle took the Youth (Girls) Division over second placed Shanna Headley on 2 points. Kemayia Wills and Lesha Steele were third and fourth.
LADIES CHAMP: Mernel Brown smiles appreciatively as she accepts the trophy for topping the Ladies A section of the Jamaica Darts Association Ranking Tournament held at the Montego Bay Cricket Club recently from Hubert Brown.YOUTH CHAMP: Tavarri Donnie topped the Youth Division (Boys) Jamaica Darts Association Ranking Tournament held at the Montego Bay Cricket Club recently. Here, he accepts his winning trophy from Hubert Brown of the Jamaica Darts Association. – Contributed photo
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has extended an invitation to actress Kerry Washington and her family to come to Jamaica for a family getaway during her next shoot break. The Minister, who was special guest at the Jamaica Independence Gala, had high praises for the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated American-born actress, who is of Jamaican descent.
She was honoured with an ‘Artistic Achievement Award’ at Jamaica’s 57th Independence Black Tie Gala, held at the Hilton Westchester Hotel in Rye, New York on Saturday, August 10. While Ms. Washington was unable to attend in person to accept the award, Minister Bartlett conveyed the special invitation to Kerry by way of her parents and lauded her for the contribution she has made as part of the Jamaican Diaspora, which has helped to propel and promote Jamaica, not just in the United States, but globally.
Mr. Bartlett told the gathering that Ms. Washington, through her trailblazing artistic endeavours, has made a significant contribution not only to tourism in Jamaica but by extension brand Jamaica. In a letter read by her parents, Ms. Washington noted her appreciation for the award and was humbled to have been considered for the recognition. She thanked the organizers, expressing regret that she was unable to attend in person to accept the award, reiterating that “I AM JAMAICAN” to enthusiastic applause.
Kerry’s career took flight in 2004 when she appeared as Della Bea Robinson, the wife of musician Ray Charles, in the biopic Ray. She won “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” for Ray at the NAACP Image Awards in 2005. Washington is best known for her portrayal of Olivia Pope in the ABC TV drama Scandal – that has earned her several Emmy, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Golden Globe nominations. She is also known for portraying lawyer/academic Anita Hill in the 2016 HBO film Confirmation, which she executive produced under the banner of her production company Simpson Street. Last year, Washington starred on Broadway in ‘American Son,’ which is now a motion picture to premiere on Netflix in fall of 2019.
(L - R) Lennox Wallace, Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James and Councillor Homer Davis, Mayor of Montego Bay, listen attentively to Dr. Derek Harvey, Senior Medical Officer at Cornwall Regional Hospital at Thursday's Media Launch of Solar All Inclusive Breakfast Party at Iberostar Rose Hall Resort.
Breakfast Party aims to raise millions for
CRH
The organizers of Solar All-Inclusive Breakfast Party are
doubling their efforts for the sixth edition of the event with a view of
surpassing the one-million-dollar donation made to Cornwall Regional Hospital
from the last staging.
Solar All-Inclusive
Breakfast Party was conceptualized under the theme ‘Let’s Rave for Charity’,
and is now one of the leading donors to the We Care for Cornwall Regional
Hospital initiative, with some $2.5-million in donations since inception.
The Antidote
Entertainment produced event has seen tremendous growth since inception in 2016
and plans are already set for two remaining stagings this year. Through this
increase and a move to get more sponsorship, as well as the general citizenry
involved, the organizers are looking to generate more funding for the
beleaguered hospital.
At a media launch of
the event on Thursday at Iberostar Rose Hall Resort, Kareem Jennings, Director
of Antidote Entertainment, said they were moving to create more awareness for
the event and the impact it has had in providing assistance for Cornwall
Regional Hospital. “Through the support of our patrons, the donations have been
used to acquire critical medical supplies and renovations to sections of the
facility. The needs of the hospital have increased, and we are planning on
playing a greater role in this effort to improve the facility. The state of the
hospital – the only Type A medical facility in Western Jamaica, is a troubling
issue and we believe that as much as we can connect with the government,
partner with Corporate Jamaica and get more persons behind the effort, greater
impact can be created,” stated Jennings.
He said the move to
engage as many stakeholders is part of an overall plan that will also see the
event being staged for the first time in Kingston in November of this year. We
are appealing to sponsors to come on board and assist this initiative and we
are looking to partner with other persons or organizations that are interested
in doing other projects to aid the hospital,” Jennings added.
Solar All-Inclusive
Breakfast Party is set for Sunday, August 18, 2019 at Tropical Bliss Beach in
Montego Bay.
Basking in the feat of his latest academic milestone, eighteen-year-old Rashaun Stewart is ecstatic. With five grades ones in the 2019 iteration of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), he has affirmed that he is overwhelmed by the results that he has achieved. With a total of twenty-three subjects and grade ones in nineteen of those subjects, Stewart has attained a prolific standard of achievement.
“I am overwhelmed,” he told the Western Mirror. “I
predicted this very result, but for my predictions to materialize is evidence
of Jehovah’s works in my life. Last year, I was quite disappointed by my subpar
performance, but I feel that I have redeemed myself with this performance.”
Stewart sat twenty-three subjects in total at both the
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and CAPE levels. He attained
eleven subjects at the CSEC level, all with grade ones. These subjects are
Biology, Chemistry, English A, English B, Human and Social Biology, Information
Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Principles of Accounts and Principles of
Business.
He also obtained twelve subjects at the CAPE level. Of those
twelve subjects, eight are grade ones, namely: Biology Unit 1, Biology Unit 2,
Chemistry Unit 1, Chemistry Unit 2, Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies,
Integrated Mathematics and Physics Unit 2. He obtained a grade two in Physics
Unit 1 and grade threes in Applied Mathematics Unit 1, Pure Mathematics Unit 1
and Pure Mathematics Unit 2.
“I’m exceptionally grateful for my achievements,” Stewart
affirmed. “I did not prepare as assiduously as I should have and I know that I
did not earn all ones because of that. Nonetheless, Jehovah intervened on my
behalf and the results are reflective of His benevolence. I believe that my
strong sense of spirituality is the chief reason for the attainment of these
nineteen ones.”
An alum of Cornwall College, the young man was actively
engaged in a diverse range of co-curricular activities during his seven-year
tenure at the all-boys institution. Stewart was an avid participant in the
Inter-School Christian Fellowship (ISCF), Students’ Council, Peer Counselling
Society, Science and Environmental Club, 4-H Club, Mathematics Club, Debating
Society and Interact Club. He also served in administrative roles as the Junior
Mayor of Montego Bay 2016/17, the Head Boy of Cornwall College 2018/19 and the
Region 4 Vice-President of the Jamaica Prefects’ Association. In addition, he
was a member of the Schools’ Challenge Quiz team for two seasons.
CHALLENGING
“I think that my involvement in a host of co-curricular
activities was somewhat problematic. I found that having to juggle the burden
of a broad variety of responsibilities with maintaining a high academic
standard was challenging. Quiz in particular occupied a significant portion of
my time and serving as Head Boy did not at all help matters. If I were better
able to allocate my time and invest effort into preparing, then I would have
certainly obtained all ones. Nonetheless, I am quite grateful and proud of the
achievement.”
Hailing from the community of Mount Salem in Montego Bay,
Stewart entertains ambitions of pursuing a career in medicine. He intends to
read for a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at the
University of the West Indies, Mona. Thereafter, he intends to specialize in
neurosurgery. The only impedance is the lack of funding for his aspirations and
the high costs affiliated with pursuit of his chosen degree programme.
LACK OF FUNDING
This lack of funding was an issue that affected him prior to
beginning his tenure at Cornwall College, but the 2012 Enid Davis Scholarship
was awarded to him by the Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC).
This scholarship was a five-year renewable scholarship that funded him from
grade seven through to eleven. It was renewed for a two-year stint in Sixth
Form.
“There are several stakeholders I must thank. First and
foremost, I definitely have to thank Jehovah for His everlasting grace, as
always. I must also thank my parents and my grandmother for their support,
guidance and love along every step of my journey. Several members of my
extended family, particularly my granduncle Peter, as well as well-wishers and
friends are also people who I must express gratitude to. Finally, I must thank
the JAAC for granting me the scholarship that funded my secondary-level
education. Without them, I would not have been where I am now.”
Going forward, Stewart is optimistic about his prospects for
attaining another scholarship to fund his tertiary-level ambitions. He admitted
that he has submitted applications for several scholarships and is presently
awaiting confirmation. These scholarships will be used to account for the
millions of dollars that pursuit of the MBBS degree will incur.
“The MBBS degree is perhaps the most expensive undergrad
programme at UWI. It costs roughly $4 million per year for tuition alone,” the
young scholar related. “I don’t have any sources of funding to pursue my
dreams. To that end, I applied for all the scholarships that I’m eligible for
and I sought as many other sources of funding I could, such as a student loan
as well as bursaries and grants. I also submitted entries in writing
competitions with cash prizes and I won one of them recently. By Jehovah’s
grace, scholarships will materialize for me to pursue my dreams.”
Stewart had some words of advice for students. “It’s
important for us to always retain a spirit of humility and gratitude on the
journey to self-actualization. I’m certain that self-actualization is
attainable by everyone, but we must aggressively pursue it at all times. Hard
work, diligence and passion for our pursuits are the traits that are most
conducive to success. Finally, in all things, we must always include Jehovah.”
General Manager of Henan Fifth Construction Group (HFC), Baoguo Chen, outlines his company’s promises regarding the Rhyne Park development. Behind him is an interpreter. – CWP photo
Clinton Pickering – Freelance Writer
Henan Fifth Construction Group (HFC), the Chinese firm that has taken on the $8.4 billion housing development at Rhyne Park Estate in Montego Bay, has publicly made commitments not heard before from any developer.
Its promises are supported by certification for high
standards, innovation, quality of work, timely delivery of projects undertaken
and adherence to costs.
General Manager of HFC, Baoguo Chen, spelt out six promises
at last Friday’s ground-breaking ceremony for the 754 houses and apartments the
Chinese company will be building over the next three years.
The first promise is “to keep the value of quality,
integrity and win-win cooperation.” The company will be introducing a
performance excellence model and international management standards. “Besides,
standardization and lean management will also be stressed in the whole
construction period for the quality housing solutions,” he said.
As seen in major projects undertaken globally, HFC says
advanced technology and techniques will be applied to guarantee construction
quality and improve efficiency.
Mr Chen has promised that all staff will be motivated to
have the project completed as scheduled and “local ecological environment will
be strictly protected” throughout construction as required by the government of
Jamaica and set out by NEPA in its approval of the development on July 16, this
year.
Against the background of concerns raised from time to time
about the ratio of local labour to that of imported labour on projects being
developed by the Chinese locally, Mr Chen promised that in keeping with an
agreement “we will use more than 70 percent of Jamaican labour to participate
in the construction.”
HFC says it wants to promote job creation and the
development of the local construction industry. Mr Chen says his company
“wishes to stay here for a long period of time” and cooperate with the Ministry
of Housing and the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) to continue providing
affordable quality housing solution for the people.
He says he HFC team sees Jamaica as “a very beautiful
country; its people are friendly and hardworking” and wants to be here for a
long time because they have been touched and fascinated by its culture and
scenery.
With the police still
trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding the deathof 39-year-old
Nichola Campbell, the close-knit family of management and staff at Jerky’s Bar
and Grill, Fairview Shopping Centre, Montego Bay, are still reeling as the
impact of her loss continues to be felt at the company.
“The work atmosphere is not the same as a vital member of
our close-knit family has been taken from us.”
The pain-tinged words of a distraught David Quilen, Human
Resource Manager at Jerky’s Bar and Grill reacting to the murder of Campbell,
the company’s Inventory Controller, whose lifeless body was discovered on
Wednesday, August 7, at her home in Paradise, Norwood, with her head bashed in.
Reports indicate that about 6 a.m. on Wednesday, residents
alerted the police that the body of a woman was seen at a house along Hollywood
Drive in the Paradise, Norwood area.
The police, on arrival, saw Miss Campbell lying on a bed in
a pool of blood, with what appeared to be wounds to both sides of the head.
She was taken to hospital where she was subsequently
pronounced dead.
Mr. Quilen says the death of Campbell continues to be felt
as while her principal role was that of the inventory controller, she was a
reliable and dependable employee and functioned as supervisor when necessary,
or would assume other roles as the need would arise, he explained.
“She probably served more hours than everybody else and was
very familiar with all the operations of the company, so she was very vital and
somebody with her experience and expertise, you cannot put a value on her worth
to the company. She was also very jovial and would lighten any mood,” he noted.
He said they are even
more saddened by the fact that Campbell was one of the caregivers for her
mother who recently suffered a stroke, and leaves behind a son.
“We have been in constant dialogue with her brother as we
continue to offer solace to the family,” he said.
