DRCS HOSTED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH COMPETION ON OFFENDER REHABILITATION

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, 14 May 2024 – The Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision (DRCS), in partnership with Toastmasters International and the Rotary Club of Providenciales, successfully hosted its inaugural National High School Speech Competition on April 30th, 2024, at Beaches Turks and Caicos. The competition brought together eight (8) schools from across the country to participate in a thought-provoking event to foster dialogue and hear ideas that inspire change. The theme for the speech competition was “Understanding Trauma: The Key to Effective Offender Rehabilitation.”

Given the pivotal role of youth engagement in shaping societal discourse, the Department identified a gap and introduced this national competition to empower young voices to address pressing issues surrounding crime and the rehabilitation of offenders. With the goal of fostering greater awareness of the profession and the importance of rehabilitation in reducing and preventing crime, the competition provided a unique platform for students to articulate their perspectives and insights on this critical subject.

The participating schools included Alpha Christian Academy, Wesley Methodist School, HJ Robinson High School, Louise Garland Thomas High School, Marjorie Basden High School, Clement Howell High School, TCIPS Comprehensive High School, and Precious Treasures International School. Students showcased their public speaking skills and knowledge of trauma and its impact on the rehabilitation of offenders. The competition provided a platform for young voices to be heard and for meaningful conversations to take place surrounding rehabilitation practices in our communities.

After an intense competition, the winners were announced:

1. 1st Place: Elijah Simmons from Wesley Methodist School
2. 2nd Place: Dianna Charles from Clement Howell High School
3. 3rd Place: Jeffca Forbes from Louise Garland Thomas High School

The Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Honourable Kyle Knowles, expressed his support and appreciation for the initiative, stating, “The Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision’s inaugural National High School Speech Competition is a testament to the commitment of our youth to engage in culturally relevant conversations in our society. Understanding trauma is indeed the key to effective offender rehabilitation, and I commend all participants for their efforts in shedding light on this critical topic. Congratulations to the winners and all participants for their outstanding contributions.”

All participants were presented with unique gifts and trophies, with the top three winners receiving additional prizes. The top three schools also received a cheque sponsored by the Rotary Club of Providenciales. The success of this competition underscores the importance of collaboration between government agencies, community organizations, and educational institutions in promoting dialogue, understanding, and positive change in our communities.