TCI News
TCI: 2019-20 Junior Minister of Tourism is Gabriel Williams of the Maranatha Academy
#Providenciales, November 21, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The annual Turks & Caicos Islands Youth Congress was held today at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Providenciales and Gabriel Williams of Maranatha Academy emerged the winner and became the TCI’s Junior Minister of Tourism for 2019/2020.
The TCI Youth Congress, hosted annually by the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board during its Tourism Environmental Awareness Month celebration, is structured to mirror a Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) board of directors meeting. Today’s event signals the end of the reign of Ms. Danae Dennie nationally, however, having won the recent CTO Tourism Youth Congress held in Antigua, Ms. Dennie will continue to represent regionally. Both Ms. Dennie and Ms. Williams will attend CTO’s Tourism Youth Congress in 2020 where Ms. Dennie will chair the proceedings while Ms. Williams will represent the Turks and Caicos Islands as the current Junior Minister of Tourism.
The theme for this year’s TCI Youth Congress was ‘Developing Smart and Sustainable Caribbean Countries – Building Back Better’. There were eight participants from public and private high schools throughout the country. The participants, who were all fourth form students, were tasked with preparing a three minute oral presentation. Thereafter, a mystery question was presented to each participant and they were each allowed one minute to provide an answer.
The 2019 TCI Youth Congress yielded the following results:
1st Place and new Junior Minister of Tourism for 2019/2020 – Gabriel Williams of Maranatha Academy
2nd Place – Britney Gardiner of Raymond Gardiner High School
3rd Place – Jordan Melhado of Clement Howell High School
The other participants in the competition were:
Zara Oudman – Holy Family
Academy
Narisel Swan – Helena Jones Robinson High School
Queen Forbes – Marjorie Basden High School
Nelcy Val – TCIPS Comprehensive
Nicala Bowe – Wesley Methodist High
The competition was judged by Mr. Earlston McPhee, Jacqueline Jemmitt and Sophia Williams on the following criteria: knowledge of subject area, level of preparedness, presentation of information, tone and tactfulness, poise and confidence and the mystery question.
Ms. E. Blythe Clare, lead coordinator of the TCI Youth Congress and Tourist Board Training Manager commented, “Congratulations to Miss Williams and we welcome her to our tourism team and wish her all the best as she will now be an ambassador for the Turks and Caicos Islands locally and internationally. Miss Danae Dennie has served exceptionally and we wish her all the best as continues to serve on the regional level. We were happy to welcome a new school to the competition this year – Holy Family Academy and we look forward to their continued participation. I wish to also register my profound thanks to the hardworking teachers who assist the students with preparing for this competition. Each year the level of competition rises and we appreciate the efforts of our students; they all represented their institutions well. Our team will now work along with Miss Williams to design two programs which she will launch nationally during her tenure”.
The premier sponsor for the TCI Youth Congress for over 10 years is Flow and the Tourist Board also extended gratitude to additional sponsors Provo Water Company, Lyndon and Delleriece Hall and Sonny’s Taxi.
Release: TCI Tourist Board
Photo Caption: Pictured L-R: Third Place – Jordan Melhado of Clement Howell High School, First Place and new Junior Minister of Tourism for 2019/2020 – Gabriel Williams of Maranatha Academy and Second Place – Britney Gardiner of Raymond Gardiner High School
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
