Caribbean Publishing Company Achievers’ ‘Artistic Touch’ are winners of both ‘Company of the Year’ and ‘Product of the Year’ awards.
To celebrate the 16th anniversary of its Company Programme, the Junior Achievement (JA) of the Cayman Islands hosted its annual Awards Banquet at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort on Saturday, 17 May.
Over 200 achievers, sponsors, parents and supporters were in attendance as the Young Caymanian Leadership Award (YCLA) recipient Stephen Ryan featured as keynote speaker.
Mr Ryan gave an inspirational speech in which he gave advice to the achievers on leading a fulfilled and successful life.
“Artistic Touch”, sponsored by Caribbean Publishing Company, was named Company of the Year, surpassing 10 other JA companies for the honour. President of the Chamber of Commerce James Tibbetts presented the award, which has been sponsored by the Chamber since the inception of the programme in 1991.
Artistic Touch also went on to receive the “Product of the Year Award”, which was presented by Karen Bodden and Velma Powery-Hewitt of the Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Paul Byles, of Tower Marketing, presented St Ignatius School’s Britanny Borden with the Vice President of Marketing Award as Artistic Touch captured a huge chunk of the awards.
Gareth Ebanks, of “Unlimited Creationz”, sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada, won the title of “Male Achiever of the Year”, while Kayla Archibold of Artistic Touch grabbed the “Female Achiever of the Year” award. Both awards were sponsored by the Department of Youth and Sports and presented by James Myles.
Cayman Prep High School student Josh Preuss, of “Cayfalls” – a JA company sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers – received the “President of the Year” award to recognize the outstanding leadership and excellent work he exhibited throughout the JA year. James Tibbetts of Rotary Club of Grand Cayman presented the award.
Jonathan Campbell from Baraud International presented the Vice President of Human Resources award to Triple C student Megan Parsons of “Unlimited Creationz”, which was sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada in recognition of her outstanding performance.
Cayman Brac High School student Stephanny Reyes, of the multi-sponsored Cayman Brac company “Brac-A-Roma”, was awarded the “Vice President of Finance” award, which was sponsored by Focus Corporate Services & Consulting and presented by Mr Byles.
Eletra-Tech Services said it was pleased to sponsor the awards for “Vice President of Production” which went to John Gray High students Alexandra Terry of “Cayfalls” and Jawara Alleyne of “Unlimited Creationz.”
St Ignatius High School student Britanny Borden of Artistic Touch collected the Chamber of Commerce “Salesperson of the Year” award for selling more of her company’s products, beach sand in a decorative bottle, than any of the 175 achievers participating in the JA Company Programme during 2007-2008.
The evening culminated with the announcement of the achievers who have been selected to attend an all expense paid trip to the Canadian National Junior Achievement Conference (CANJAC) at University of Toronto, in Mississauga, Canada, in mid August. CANJAC is a forum designed to further educate young people about business and to provide an opportunity to reward and recognise outstanding performance while encouraging even greater future accomplishments.
Maxine Bodden, a Director of Junior Achievement and an attorney with Maples and Calder, announced the names of the students selected to attend the conference.
They are: Cayman Brac High School student Stephanny Reyes of “Brac-A-Roma”; Cayman Brac High School student Rebekah Khan of “Brac-A-Roma”; St Ignatius High School student Shay Miller of Artistic Touch; John Gray High student Renee Prendergast of “Kustom Kreation” – a JA company sponsored by Tony’s Toys; John Gray student Kayla Archibold of Artistic Touch; Caymn Prep High School student Josh Preuss of “Cayfalls” – a JA company sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers; St Ignatius High School student Britanny Borden of Artistic Touch; St Ignatius High School student Daniel McGrath of “Block Heads” – a JA company sponsored by Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Ltd.
The JA Programme is designed to help young people appreciate and better understand the role of business in the society. With the support and guidance of volunteer advisors from the local business community, the Company Programme provides basic economic education for high school students. By organizing and operating an actual business enterprise, students not only learn how businesses function, they also learn about the structure of the Cayman economic system and the benefits it provides.
Persons or organizations who are interested in finding out more about the Junior Achievement programme may call JA Executive Administrator Wilma McLaughlin at (345) 949-4306.
NB: This article was reproduced with the kind consent of Cayman Net News.
