Monday, June 26, 2006

Rotary essay finalists receiving their prizes from Tourism and Commerce Minister Hon. Charles Clifford.

CAYMAN Brac High School's Brendan Wahler emerged as the best essay writer in the Cayman Islands' school system after eclipsing three other students in the finals which took place on Thursday 22 June.

The Rotary Club, which organised the essay contest for Cayman's schools, announced the winner at its luncheon at the Westin Casuarina on the Seven Mile Beach.

Students were asked to write on the topic "My Cayman" and the quartet of Wahler, Erin Hislop, Chanelle Ramoon and Krystal Hydes topped their colleagues with superior skills.

Mr Wahler, whose trip to Grand Cayman was sponsored by Cayman Airways, expressed excitement on capturing the laptop computer and other prizes as the winner.

"I'm pretty excited, glad that I have won obviously," he told Cayman Net News after the ceremony.

"It's kind of an interesting mix of emotions that you get whenever you win something like this because you're happy and excited and sort of anxious still from waiting for the announcement," he said.

Mr Wahler spoke of his preparations: "I spend a lot of time reading and writing essays in general, which helps always in these kinds of things."

Although Ms Hislop of Cayman Prep and High School did not win the top spot, she found the topic very interesting.

"My teacher assigned the essay as homework and I didn't know it was a competition until afterwards, but it was a pretty interesting title to write under so I found it fun to do," she said.

For John Gray High School's Chanelle Ramoon reaching the finals has motivated her to write more.

"I think that since I reached the finals I will keep on writing essays until I get better and excel," she said. 

Ms Hydes of Triple C considered it a major achievement to be one of the four finalists.
"I feel this is a great accomplishment and a wonderful opportunity for me to be a part of. I really enjoyed the topic," she said.

On hand to deliver the winning prizes to finalists was Tourism and Commerce Minister Hon Charles Clifford.

In his address, he praised the voluntary work of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman.  

"It's highly commendable when one finds a group of citizens such as the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman - members who have voluntarily and intentionally brought themselves together for the chief purpose of community service."

Mr Clifford said the club's contribution to the development of youth was noted by his administration.

"It's even more laudable when they recognise the responsibilities of their service and encourage the younger generation to adopt the spirit of volunteerism," he said.
"The rewards to be gained from voluntary community service, though they may not be immediate, are invaluable."

To the school winners, he said: "You will undoubtedly find that the development of leadership and planning skills as well as the self-discipline that you have already acquired in this venture can also be applied to situations that each of you will face later on in your respective life."

He added, "You have each made a great start with your entries for this competition, the fact that you have come this far means that you already display many of the qualities and awareness needed to make fine citizens in your country."

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