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National Launch of the 54th International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF

PUBLIC SAFETY AND UTILITIES

 

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 9 April 2025: The Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities is proud to announce the launch of the 54th International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People, organised under the auspices of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This prestigious global competition is now open to youth aged 9 to 15 across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The theme for this year’s competition is: “Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone explaining why and how they should take good care of you.”

This timely and powerful topic invites young people to take on the voice of the ocean and inspire readers with messages about preservation, environmental responsibility, and sustainable living.

The Honourable Otis Chuck Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities expressed his full support for the initiative and encouraged nationwide participation:

“This is more than just a writing competition; it is a platform for our youth to speak truth to the world. At a time when environmental challenges are at the forefront of global concern, we have an opportunity to showcase the insight, intelligence, and imagination of our young people here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

The ocean is part of our identity, it surrounds us, sustains us, and shapes our way of life. I urge every eligible student to take part in this initiative and use the power of their words to advocate for our planet. This is their chance to be heard on a world stage, to represent our islands with pride, and to demonstrate that we are raising thoughtful, talented, and globally minded citizens.”

Participation in the UPU Letter-Writing Competition is an important cultural and educational milestone for the Turks and Caicos Islands. It reflects the country’s commitment to literacy, youth engagement, and the promotion of critical global issues such as climate change and environmental stewardship. The competition also represents an extraordinary opportunity for one of our students to represent the nation internationally, not just as a writer, but as a young ambassador for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The winning national letter will go on to represent the Turks and Caicos at the international level, competing with entries from over 190 UPU member countries. In previous years, top entries have received international recognition and awards — and the Ministry believes this year, one of our own may take home that honour.

The deadline for national entries is 28 April 2025. All submissions must go through the national competition to be eligible for international judging. The best national composition will then be submitted to the UPU’s International Bureau by the final deadline of 5 May 2025.

For more information including submission guidelines, schools and parents are encouraged to contact the Postal Services Department.

Let us support our youth as they raise their voices for our oceans, for their future, and for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

Contact:

Postmaster General

George Brown Post Office Building

Providenciales

Turks and Caicos Islands 

Phone: 1649-338-4641

Education

Champions for Christ International School of Excellence

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Tiffany D. Grant-Saunders, MSW, BA Acting Principal/Guidance Counselor

Turks and Caicos, September 5, 2025 – It is our esteemed pleasure to introduce you to Mrs. Tiffany D. Grant-Saunders, MSW, BA, as the new Acting Principal/Guidance Counselor for Champions For Christ International School of Excellence, effective September 1, 2025.

Mrs. Grant-Saunders is the youngest daughter of Millicent R. Grant and Kenneth Grant.  Raised in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, she is a 2016 graduate of Champions For Christ International School of Excellence.  She holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Clinical Counseling from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL, having graduated Magna Cum Laude.

She brings her experience as a Mental Health Technician and Education Liaison in Dade City, FL. In addition, she completed her internship as a Therapist Intern with North Tampa Behavioral Health and Zephyrhills Behavioral Health.

We are excited to have Mrs. Grant-Saunders return to the Turks and Caicos Islands and invest her time and talents in the continued building of our student body here at Champions For Christ International School of Excellence.

Please join us in welcoming her home!

 

Claudette M. Basden

Founder & Executive Director 

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Bahamas News

Holmes Rock Junior High School on Track to Open in September

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Bahamas Information Services

 

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Kingsley Smith along with Deputy Director of Education for the Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays District, Michelle Bowleg toured Holmes Rock Junior High School to assess ongoing progress and ensure the project remains on track to welcome students for the new academic term in September.

Following the tour, Smith expressed optimism regarding the ongoing progress, stating, “Having toured the site and seeing the work that is being done on the weekend, shows the commitment and dedication to getting it completed.”

He also noted that after discussions with the contractors, he was assured that with sufficient manpower and around-the-clock work, the project remains on track for completion by September 1, 2025.

“One of our underlying goals is really access, so we are happy that the school will be up and ready for our students,” said Bowleg.

She highlighted that several zoom meetings were held with parents to keep them informed about key updates including booklists, uniforms, and staffing. According to Bowleg, feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It is a beautiful facility, one that parents will be very proud of, and the entire West Grand Bahama community,” she added.

(BIS Photos/Danielle Rollon)

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Education

Belize Students Explore Cruise Careers Aboard Carnival Paradise

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Belize City, Belize (Aug 19, 2025) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, recently welcomed 40 students from five educational institutions in Belize aboard the Carnival Paradise cruise ship. The visit was part of an initiative organized in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Board, aimed at inspiring future careers in the maritime industry.

The students represented Gwen Lizarraga High School, Sadie Vernon Technical High School, Nazarene High School, Anglican Cathedral College, and the Hope Center after-school program. The visit provided a firsthand look at cruise industry operations from Carnival’s perspective, highlighted onboard career opportunities, and supported ongoing youth empowerment efforts in Belize City.

During the guided tour of the ship’s public guest areas, the students were able to observe daily cruise operations up close, describing the experience as inspiring and educational, with many noting they learned about opportunities available in the cruise industry.

Captain Ivan Vatovic, Chief Engineer Domenico Bibita; Hotel Director Vivek Menon; Food & Beverage Director Stephen Kim Reynolds; Human Resources Director Daniel Marques De Oliveira; and Environmental Officer Daniela Ramos Licon spoke with the students about their respective roles aboard the ship. Learning & Development Manager John Philip Ortega provided an overview of Carnival Cruise Line’s recruitment process and the various shipboard career opportunities available.

Kwame Scott, Cruise Relations Specialist at the Belize Tourism Board, highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, “Partnering with Carnival Corporation has supported us to expose Belizean youth to viable career paths within the tourism sector. When students can see firsthand how the cruise industry operates, it opens their minds to possibilities they may never have considered.”

Julian Mortis, Director of The Hope Center, praised the program’s powerful educational value in an interview with 7 News Belize. She explained that the tour provided students with more than just a glimpse into a cruise ship. By learning about the roles and requirements, the children realized that a career on a ship, and the opportunity to travel the world, was a real and achievable possibility for them.

Photo Caption: Some of the participating Belizean students and teachers pose for a group photo aboard Carnival Paradise during an educational ship visit.

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