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Dream, Dare, Deliver – Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Prestige Awards Celebrating Excellence and Dedication
Managing Director James McAnally greets those in attendance
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: The Open Air Theatre at Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) buzzed with excitement as it transformed into a stunning black and white affair for the resort’s highly anticipated Prestige Awards celebrations. Themed “Dream, Dare, Deliver,” the event aimed to honor and reward team members who have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and dedication.
As the team members arrived, they were greeted by photographers lining the red carpet, capturing every moment of their grand entrance.
Guiding the proceedings on the main stage with finesse, were the masters of ceremony, Julianna Musgrove, regional manager for learning and development, and the charismatic Sergeant Huntley Forbes Jr. also known as ‘Super P the Entertainer’, who both ensured an atmosphere filled with energy and excitement. After each award segment, the spotlight would segue to the awardee’s interview set, where Xiomara Adderly Daniel, assistant learning and development manager, and Tweens and Teens Coordinator, Shantol Macmahon, led engaging conversations with the winners. From discussing their style inspirations to sharing insights on their sources of motivation, the interviews provided a glimpse into the passion and commitment driving these exceptional individuals.
The pinnacle of the evening came with the announcement of the Diamond Team Member of the Year Award, bestowed upon Entertainment Playmaker, Andrico Lightbourne. Overflowing with joy and gratitude, Lightbourne expressed his pride in representing the brand and credited his consistent dedication for earning him this prestigious accolade.
“This recognition is truly one of the highlights of my career,” Lightbourne exclaimed. “Beaches challenges each of us to strive for excellence every day, and I am honored to be recognized for my contributions. This award is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our entire team.”
Diamond Team Member Andrico Lightbourne accepts award from Managing Director James McAnally
The Prestige Awards, one of the largest resort-driven team-member events across all Sandals and Beaches hotels, celebrate excellence and acknowledges those who consistently exceed expectations. Managing Director James McAnally, in his welcome address, praised all nominees for their outstanding contributions and thanked the entire staff for their exemplary teamwork.
Throughout the evening, awardees were presented with cash prizes, framed certificates, trophies, and a variety of gifts. The category winners included:
- Diamond Team Member of the Year Award: Entertainment Playmaker, Andrico Lightbourne,
- Platinum Team Member of the Year Award: Information Technology Coordinator, Wilican Seymour,
- Mover and Shaker of the Year Award: Security Supervisor, Damion Senior,
- Legendary Team Member of the Year Award: Dining Room Server, Claude Williams,
- Circle of Joy of the Year Award: Steward, Courtney Richards,
- Earth Guardian of the Year Award: Room Technician, Jason Haughton,
- Sandals Foundation Sentinel of the Year Award: Entertainment Administrator, Jaseth Wallace-Wilson,
- Standing Ovation Award: Senior Information Technology Manager, Stefan Williams,
- Money Maker Award: Photographer, Ainsworth Richards
- Heart of the House Award: Weddings and Romance Clerk, Pierre Michel St. Hubert,
- The People’s Choice Award: Butler, Jomo Edwards,
Entertainment team partner with executive team leaders in prviding a good event
- Pace Setter of the Year Award: Food and Beverage Manager, Oneil Paisley,
- All Rounder of the Year Award: Engineering and Maintenance Supervisor, Ferlando Fray,
- Founder’s Circle Award: Director of Sales, Tanya Swann,
- MVP of the Year Award: Night Manager, Sherryl White-Garland,
- The ‘A’ Team of the Year Award: Accounts and Cost Control Department.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Owenta Coleby, Human Resource Manager, expressed her satisfaction with the evening’s outcome, praising the meticulous planning and hard work of Roxanne Wade, and the entire HR department. Coleby also extended her gratitude to all departments for their unwavering support in making the Prestige Awards an unforgettable affair.
As the night drew to a close, it was evident that the Prestige Awards had not only celebrated individual achievements but also reinforced the spirit of unity and excellence that defines the BTC family. With dreams ignited, challenges embraced, and promises delivered, the stage is set for another year of remarkable achievements and shared success.
Header Photo Caption: Diamond Team Member Andrico with members of the Entertainment team
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
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