Up Front

YCLA 2001 FinalistsAnnounced

Winston Connolly	Wesley Howell	Kenneth "Kenny" Rankin
Nasaria Suckoo	Andrew 'Dax' Foster

The Honorary Board of the Young CaymanianLeadership Awards has announced the five finalists for this year'smuch-anticipated Awards ceremony, which will take place on Saturday,28 April at the Hyatt Pavilion.

The YCLA subcommittee that oversaw the screeningof this year's nominees spent months in a detailed review processto come up with the five finalists for the 2001 Award. Membersof the group said it was a long and arduous task, but one thatwas worth taking the time required to achieve a fair outcome.

Honorary Board members with close relationsto any of the five finalists have removed themselves from thescreening process to ensure an impartial decision on the recipientof the 2001 Award.

Corporate tables are still available forthe YCLA Awards Ceremony, however space is limited.

The gala evening will include a receptionand dinner, remarks by guest speaker Joe Theismann of pro-footballfame, personal video biographies of each of the five finalistsand a live broadcast of the event by CITN.

As with last year's programme, the recipientof the prestigious award will be announced during the televisedportion of the evening.

The following are this year's five finalists:

Winston Connolly

"I was surprised and elated, if nota bit overwhelmed, at such an unexpected honour."

Winston Connolly is a self-assured and charismatic27-year-old who, in spite of a very busy schedule, always findsthe time to give back to his community.
He has participated in many socially conscious and educationallybased groups over the years. In addition to working full-timeas a law clerk at W.S. Walker and Co., he is a full-time student,in his final year at the Cayman Islands Law School's LLb. (Hons.)Degree programme associated with the University of Liverpool.

Mr. Connolly also holds a BBA degree fromLoyola University in New Orleans. He is currently a member ofthe Chamber of Commerce's Constitutional Review Task Force, theThousand Man March Committee and Cayman Lodge No. 8153. He alsoenjoys participating with co-workers from W.S. Walker and Co.on the football, volleyball, softball and track teams in variouscorporate leagues.

An avid subscriber to the 'Balanced Man'concept adhered to by his university fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon,Mr. Connolly says he tries to live this code on a daily basis. Key to the concept are: leadership, scholarship, sportsmanshipand friendship.

Andrew 'Dax' Foster

"It is a great honour and surpriseto be a finalist"

Dax Foster is a deeply committed businessman,father and active member of his church. He is happily marriedand the proud father of two young girls, Jade and Bayley. DaxFoster is the son of retired businessman Steve and Thalia Foster(step mother) and Gracie and Ron Scott (step father).

A firm believer in family values, Mr. Fostersays he has the highest respect and honour for his parents, whoseguidance he continues to seek in his everyday life. He was educatedin the USA and attributes many of his leadership skills to hisyears spent and accomplishments made at Admiral Farragut Academyin St. Petersburg, Florida.

On weekdays Mr. Foster can be found hardat work in the family-owned business, Foster Brothers Ltd. Inthat role, he says his goal is to bring value and leading consumerproducts to his community.

On weekends, he enjoys boating activitieswith his family, as well as attending First Baptist Church, wherehe teaches a young adult Bible study class.

Wesley Howell

"My reaction was one of just beingoverwhelmed and humbled for being nominated and for making thefinals."

Wesley Howell, 32, is an accomplished professionaland devoted community servant. A Deputy Director at the ComputerServices Department of the Cayman Islands Government, this energeticyoung Caymanian says he genuinely enjoys this immensely challengingposition.

He and his team of 22 employees are responsiblefor the Technical Services area of Computer Services, which includesthe critical areas of network security, installation, supportand maintenance.

In addition to his numerous professionalresponsibilities, Mr. Howell spends countless hours helping hiscommunity and volunteering with local charity organizations.

He has served as a past president of theLeo Club of Grand Cayman and is currently Secretary of the LionsClub of Grand Cayman.

Mr. Howell is also very excited about hisnew role in working for the Lord, and is eagerly looking forwardto volunteering with the Kids-4-Christ programme at the Churchof God Chapel along with his wife, Renee.

Kenneth "Kenny" Rankin

"It was an honor to be nominated once,but twice is something for which I am truly grateful, yet surprised."

At 26, Kenny Rankin is one of Cayman's youngestand most successful entrepreneurs. After establishing one of theIslands' largest computer businesses, Paramount Computers, hewent on to found a marketing and public relations company calledImpact Marketing Group, as well as a more recent venture, IslandOffices HR, a recruitment personnel business.

As a young Caymanian who holds his country'sbest interests at heart, Mr. Rankin has also implemented a non-profitoperation which hosts an annual event to raise funds for localcharities, namely "Jet Around Cayman."

Describing himself as someone who has 'theambition of a small army,' Mr. Rankin says he has learnt manyof his business trade secrets from his parents, Kent and RuthRankin, who are themselves successful businesspersons and well-respectedin the local community.

This is Mr. Rankin's second year as a participantin the YCLA programme, as he was nominated for the 2000 Award.

Nasaria Suckoo

"I am very excited about my nominationfor the YCLA. I have been richly blessed this year and give Jahall thanks and praises. It is a great feeling to know that thehard work and extra time you put into your work is being noticedand appreciated."

The effervescent Ms Suckoo has been thehead of the John Gray High School Drama Department for the last7 years.

The consummate artist, she has many talentsand expresses herself through numerous creative channels. Sheis an accomplished writer of poetry, plays and short stories,as well as a talented painter, singer and producer of theatre.

Ms Suckoo received her undergraduate degreefrom Howard University in Washington, D.C. and her masters fromNew York University in Manhattan.

Although she does not have any biologicalchildren, she is 'mother' to hundreds of high school studentsand auntie to her beloved little niece, Janelle.

Ms Suckoo is dedicated to her role as moralguide for the young people of Cayman and excels at passing onher love for and knowledge of the colourful heritage of the CaymanIslands.

A deeply spiritual person, she says herfirst pledge is to serving her almighty and living God.
For more information, or to reserve a table for the YCLA Gala,interested parties should contact Melissa Cole at 949-1000.

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