The Albion Primary and Junior High School is winner of the 13th staging of the St. James Municipal Corporation’s (StJMC) Disaster Education Awareness Programme poster competition.
The programme is used as a vehicle to sensitize the general public and students in particular, thereby stimulating their interest in disaster mitigation and effective preparedness.
St. James Parish Disaster Preparedness Coordinator Tamoy Sinclair, said at a prize-giving function last Thursday that this year’s event was successful despite the impact of the coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic which saw most students being separated from their formal schooling environment. There were 16 participants from six schools, one of which is in the neighbouring parish of Trelawny.
The theme for this year’s poster competition was “Managing Disasters When They Strike: Do Your Part, Be COVID-19 Smart”.
Miss Sinclair, highlighted the importance of ensuring that as many persons and organizations as possible, “are exposed to vital information that may make the difference between effective management of disasters and total anarchy which can result in disorganized attempts to mitigate any eventuality.”
Mayor Leeroy Williams, said it was hoped that the competition would impact the participating schools and their communities positively as they spread the knowledge garnered in producing posters dealing with management of the coronavirus.
Chief Executive Officer Gerald Lee, joined Mayor Williams, in commending participants and organizers of the competition.
The event which was chaired by Deputy Mayor Richard Vernon, saw first prize of $30,000 going to Shahiem Morris of Albion Primary and Junior High, second place of $20,000 to Jevaughn Jones of Flankers Primary and third place of $10,000 to Phidesha Gooden of Herbert Morrison Technical High School (HMTHS). Certificates of participation were presented to all other contestants. – CWP
