18 Awarded at Inaugural TCI National Youth Awards

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – Eighteen extraordinary young people across 19 categories were recognized in the Inaugural Turks and Caicos  National Youth Awards held at the Ballroom of Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos on September 27th. The awards come as the country embarks on new initiatives to keep young people educated, employed and empowered.

The Ministry of Education and Youth hosted the awards ceremony as the premier event of their Youth Week celebrations highlighting top scholars, sportsmen, entrepreneurs and artists.

The awards are as follows:

YOUTH IN EDUCATION – A Young Person who performed exemplary on national examinations and/or received international recognition for education.

Awardee: CHELSEA STUBBS

YOUTH IN SPORTS – A young person who has excelled in any sporting discipline in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Awardee: TANESIA GARDINER

YOUTH IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP – A young person who has generated or created a business idea and established a business that generates income and/or creativity in the field of business.

Awardee: HUNTLEY FORBES JR

YOUTH PROFESSIONAL AWARD – A young person who through excellent professional practice, upholds the standards of his or her profession.

Awardee: EMILIO SEYMOUR

YOUTH IN ARTS 8 CULTURE – A young person who has dedicated their time to the advancement of art and culture in TCI.

Awardee: BENSON WILLIAMS JR.

YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE – Young people that are either young farmers or are involved in agro-processing.

Awardees: STENLEY VALMIR AND ESTEVEN LUBIN HYDROFRESH

PERSONAL TRIUMPH AWARD – A young person who, in the face of exceptional challenges, continues to make an important contribution to society or is an inspirational role model to others.

Awardee: DIXIE SMITH

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD – A young person who has demonstrated environmental stewardship for the advancement of sustainability in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Awardee: JATAVIA HOWELL

YOUTH IN RELIGION – A young person who has dedicated their time to youth development through involvement in religious programs.

Awardee: KIATANA ROBINSON

YOUTH IN HEALTH & WELLNESS – A young person who has devoted their time to promoting health and wellbeing in TC or has excelled in the health and wellbeing profession.

Awardee: ANYA MALCOLM-GIBBS

YOUTH IN MEDIA – A young person that contributes to the positive of youth culture and the portrayal of youth in the media.

Awardee: ANDY MISSICK

YOUTH IN TOURISM – A young person who works in the tourism field and who has shown exceptional service to the tourism industry.

Awardee: BRIANNA WALCOTT

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – A young person that has contributed to the development of their community, showing outstanding skills in active citizenship and teaching others about civil society and youth involvement.

Awardee: AREAN LOUIS

YOUTH INDUSTRIAL AWARD – A young person that has demonstrated their ability in architecture, building, and design that has significantly changed the landscape of TCI.

Awardee: DOMINIQUE DURHAM

YOUNG ARTISAN AWARD – A young person who has produced excellent work and who has dedicated time to develop his/ her craft. Here we celebrate the craftsmanship of young plumbers, masons and carpenters.

Awardee: ORIEL SELVER

PERFORMING ARTS AWARD – A young person who has excelled in the performing arts.

Awardee: RYESHA HIGGS

LITERARY ART AWARD – A young person in the literary arts.

Awardee: LEONARDO LIGHTBOURNE

PREMIER’S AWARD – A young person that contributes to the positive aspects of youth culture and the portrayal of youth in media.

Awardee: ANDY MISSICK

The event was attended by the country’s top officials including Dileeni Daniel-Severatnam, TCI Governor, Washington Misick, TCI Premier, and Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education and Youth.

Magnetic Media congratulates all awardees.