Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Ardenne High School Wins Another Marcus Garvey Award For Excellence
#Kingston, September 21, 2021 – Ardenne High School has again copped the Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) performing arts competition.
The St Andrew-based institution topped the 2021 edition after picking up awards and trophies in the parish and national competitions which generated enough points to propel them ahead of the only other contender, Painite Theatrical Academy.
Ardenne, which has lifted the award for the past 11 years, was crowned during the JCDC’s recent National Performing Arts Excellence Awards Ceremony at the Little Theatre in Kingston.
The Marcus Garvey Award is presented to the most outstanding group or school in the annual JCDC performing arts competition. The winner is determined by their participation in at least three of the five categories of events, and points accumulated from medals and other awards won.
This year, candidates were allowed to participate in only four categories – dance, drama, speech, and music. Group performances, such as the traditional folk forms, were suspended in keeping with coronavirus (CoVID-19) physical distancing protocols on gatherings, to contain transmission.
Ardenne’s Principal, Nadine Molloy, tells JIS News that she is proud of the students’ and teachers’ accomplishments this year.
“I’m absolutely excited. It [was] a challenge; but [one wherein] we saw an opportunity and took great advantage of [it]. Everybody rose to the occasion, and we were able to make it happen,” she declares.
Ms. Molloy also praises former students, among other persons, whom she says were instrumental in aiding the school during the competition, while they navigated the pandemic.
“I thank everyone for helping us. I commend the JCDC and thank them for pivoting the way they have, in the virtual space,” she says.
The Principal points out that the JCDC provided a safe medium that enabled the youngsters to participate in the competitions. The participants were able to upload their entries and videos on the Commission’s website – www.jcdc.gov.jm.
“It [gave] our creative students the opportunity to do something else when the world went into sleep mode. They [rose] to the occasion [and] they [took] advantage of the digital space. I thank the JCDC and encourage them to continue [doing this] so young people can have the [opportunity for] self-expression and growth,” Ms. Molloy says.
She emphasises that the school is dedicated to developing students who are “well rounded and self-actualizing in areas other than academics”.
“Students are encouraged to pursue their interests in other areas, [and] they are supported in a very significant way,” the Principal further informs.
She tells JIS News that students are offered the opportunity to choose from a variety of activities in the performing arts, visual arts, sports, and clubs.
Ms. Molloy says these engagements are managed by co-curriculum coordinators, who are responsible for providing guidance and ensuring they are “up and running”.
The Principal indicates that students are permitted to take part in at least one activity each year.
“Students are very interested in that, because they are interested in building their portfolios for when they move on to tertiary level studies or just to compete in entry level jobs,” she says.
“Over the years, we have found that in addition to many other things, the students really embrace that creative side. So, you find [you have] a lot of students who do very well in the performing arts,” Ms. Molloy explains.
Co-curricular Coordinator, Rev. Marsha Lawrence-Davids, tells JIS News that Ardenne submitted more than 60 entries digitally for the JCDC’s competitions. She says an audit was conducted at the start of the year to determine the talent available, and the level of training and staff inputs required to prepare the students.
Rev. Lawrence-Davids says members of clubs and societies in the performing arts were involved in the speech writing and public speaking competitions. She points out that many of the rehearsals and workshops were conducted online to ensure the safety of students and teachers during the pandemic.
Rev. Lawrence-Davids notes, however, that virtual rehearsals had limitations. She explains that while the physical engagement requires two to three rehearsals for a drama piece, for example, up to eight are needed to do so online. She says, however, that in cases where students had to engage in face-to-face rehearsals, they complied with COVID-19 protocols at the school.
“I believe that as the parents saw the expectations clearly written down, they got a good picture of what the environment would be like. I think that is what allowed a lot of [them] to be at ease with sending their children to school for rehearsals,” Rev. Lawrence-Davids adds.
She indicates that parents and students were happy that the school was able to identify an avenue that allowed them to enjoy the performing arts experience, despite the pandemic.
By: Elaine Hartman Reckord
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
September 28, 2026 – Wall Street initially flinched at the $3-billion handshake. But in a matter of days, it was smoother sailing.
Perhaps the bigger Caribbean business story is not what Sandals Resorts International is getting from the deal. It is who is writing the
cheque — and what that says about what Gordon “Butch” Stewart built.
As reports of Royal Caribbean Group’s Sandals deal circulated Tuesday, RCL shares plunged 6.14 percent from Monday’s $250.25 close to $234.89, on sharply elevated trading.
When the agreement became official Wednesday — approximately $3 billion for a 50 percent equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts — shares slipped another 1.95 percent to $230.30 and touched $222.22 intraday. Investors were digesting both the size of the investment and committed debt financing secured through Morgan Stanley.
But by Thursday, RCL rebounded 3.77 percent, with shares continuing their recovery Friday to finish the week around $243. Analysts were also looking ahead: JPMorgan reportedly raised its RCL price target from $345 to $394, while Citi placed the company on a 90-day positive catalyst watch.
And just who is RCL?
Royal Caribbean Group is a global vacation giant, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange with a market value of roughly $65 billion. Its portfolio includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, alongside private destinations and an
expanding vacation platform.
So when a company of that scale commits $3 billion for only half of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the transaction puts a striking financial marker on one of the Caribbean’s greatest home-grown hospitality success stories.
The deal, expected to close in early 2027, creates a 50-50 partnership with the Stewart family and takes Royal Caribbean deeper into the all-inclusive resort business.
Butch Stewart started Sandals in Jamaica in 1981 believing a Caribbean company could compete with the world’s best.
Forty-five years later, one of the world’s biggest vacation companies is prepared to pay $3 billion just to own half of what he built.
Now that’s the handshake that does more than seal a deal — it cements a legacy.
Caribbean News
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group Investment to Advance Sandals and Beaches’ Growth and Broaden the Group’s Vacation Portfolio
Montego Bay, Jamaica and Miami, September 24, 2026 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
The partnership brings together two of the travel industry’s most celebrated vacation companies, pairing Sandals and Beaches’ all-inclusive resort expertise with Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform, including industry-leading brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – a portfolio of private destinations, new river cruising offering, and an industry-first loyalty program. United in a shared history in the Caribbean and connected by a love for their communities, the companies will offer travelers an unparalleled collection of cruise, private destination and resort experiences, serving guests across more vacation occasions and establishing their undisputed leadership in Caribbean vacations.
The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent vacation category, growing its participation in the approximately $2 trillion global vacation market, and meets the growing global demand for Sandals and Beaches Resorts by accelerating their expansion. The partnership will include Sandals and Beaches’ collection of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, and the companies will explore opportunities to broaden distribution, deepen guest engagement, and make it easier for travelers to discover vacation experiences offered across both portfolios.
“For nearly 60 years, we’ve reimagined what a vacation can be, constantly expanding the ways we inspire our guests to explore, connect and create lifelong memories,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have been building a vacation platform that brings joy to millions of people around the world and creates meaningful relationships that last with our guests. Our partnership with
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is an important next step on that journey – bringing together two iconic leading vacation companies to further strengthen and grow one of the most admired resort portfolios in the world. The Stewart family has created powerful and beloved brands, and we are honored to build on that legacy. Together, we see tremendous opportunity to expand the reach of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and continue turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality. Today is proof of how far that vision can go,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “This partnership is the natural next step in building on that conviction. It gives us the ability to grow faster with a partner that shares our values of exceptional hospitality, long-term investment, and the power of enduring brands. Together, we will introduce more guests to Sandals and Beaches Resorts while creating even more extraordinary experiences for those who have made our resorts part of their lives for decades.” Stewart added, “As we continue to grow, we will remain true to what has always defined us: delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home. The future has never been brighter, and I know this moment would make my father incredibly proud.”
The joint venture will be governed by a board under the shared leadership of Stewart and Liberty. Stewart will maintain a leadership role in
guiding the company’s long-term strategic growth as Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual, with the partnership bringing additional resources to support future opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, representing a forward EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x. Royal Caribbean Group has secured committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the investment. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and is expected to be accretive to earnings next year.
BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins and Jones Day acted as legal advisors to the Sandals Group. Perella Weinberg Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Royal Caribbean Group.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, mark the signing of an agreement to form a landmark partnership that expands Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort space and supports the future growth of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The signing took place at Royal Caribbean Group’s new headquarters in Miami, with the city’s skyline in the background.
The Caribbean tourism deal first reported as a possibility on Tuesday is now a signed agreement. Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay
approximately US$3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, putting the value of the business at about US$6 billion. The purchase is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals.
Founded in Jamaica by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, the resort business has a presence across nine Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sandals has described its workforce as nearly 20,000 people, most of them Caribbean nationals.
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality,” said Adam Stewart in the announcement carried by PR Newswire. He will remain executive chairman, while the Stewart family retains a stake. The companies say existing reservations and resort operations will continue as usual.
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