Dozens of students throughout The Bahamas accepted the challenge posed by FirstCare Medical Plan in association with The Ministry of Education and REACH Bahamas to pen an essay under the theme “Autism in The Bahamas: A Nation Without Boxes.”
Now in its third year, the annual essay contest aims to educate junior and senior students about Autism Spectrum Disorders – the fastest growing serious developmental disability in The Bahamas.
After weeks of pouring over the essay submissions, the panel of judges from The Ministry of Education and REACH chose two grand prize winners and three honourable mention winners.
“We truly believe that education is everybody’s business,” said Serethea Clarke, Acting Deputy Director of Education in her congratulatory address to the winners, highlighting the Ministry of Education’s continued support of the competition.
The five winners were awarded cash and prizes valued at more than $2k, including gift certificates from John Bull, The Shoe Village and Custom Computers.
“Ours is a long-term and nationwide effort, to do our part to ensure that children on the autism spectrum have every chance to become productive citizens,” said Corinna Neely, President of FirstCare Medical Plan. “It is encouraging to see an increasing number of students from Grand Bahama and other islands in our nation participate in the essay contest. This year we had a special competition for the school that submitted the most essays and Bishop Michael Eldon School in Grand Bahama won.”
LaTess Bartlett, an entrepreneur and eleventh grade student at Mary Star of The Sea Catholic Academy in Freeport penned the grand prize winning essay in the senior category. In her essay, Bartlett admonished Bahamians to “remember that only jars are labeled.” She noted that while those on the autism spectrum are differently-abled, their condition does not define them.
Amaya Fowler, a seventh grade student at St. Anne’s School in Nassau tackled the issue of bullying in her essay, noting “when we tease others it demolishes their self-confidence and it is very hard to restore.” Fowler urged parents of autistic children not to isolate their children for fear of embarrassment and encouraged the public to be sensitive to the needs of those on the autism spectrum and their caregivers.
Three honourable mention winners were selected. C. C. Sweeting tenth grade student Javonne Cumberbatch and Queen’s College eleventh grade student Ari Brathwaite were announced the senior honourable mention winners. Joseph Townsend, an eighth grade student at Sir Jack Hayward Junior High School in Freeport was named the honourable mention winner in the junior category.
Rickcardo Miller, Acting President of REACH Bahamas outlined the many initiatives that the non-profit organization is spearheading in his address to the winners. He noted REACH’s upcoming 15th annual summer camp hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Education that provides complimentary activities for more than 100 children over a four week period. This includes both children with autism spectrum disorders and related challenges and their siblings.
FirstCare Medical Plan has pledged to continue their work with REACH and to host the Autism Awareness Essay contest for many years to come. “We are encouraged more than ever to continue our work to increase autism awareness locally and to do our part to positively impact the lives of Bahamian youth,” said Neely.
Hard Work Pays Off - Five students claimed prizes valued at more than $2k at the awards ceremony for the 3rd Annual FirstCare Medical Plan Autism Awareness Essay Contest. Pictured left to right: Lucia Moxey, Operations Manager, FirstCare Medical Plan; Serethea Clarke, Acting Deputy Director of Education, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology; Corinna Neely, President, FirstCare Medical Plan; Ari Brathwaite, Senior Honourable Mention Winner, Joseph Townsend, Junior Honourable Mention Winner; Amaya Fowler, Junior Grand Prize Winner; LaTess Bartlett, Senior Grand Prize Winner; Javonne Cumberbatch, Senior Honorable Mention Winner; Racquella Sweeting, Business Associate, Custom Computers Limited and Rickcardo Miller, Acting President, REACH Bahamas.
A Nation I Want to Live In - Junior Grand Prize Winner Amaya Fowler, a seventh grade student at St. Anne’s School recited her winning essay. She encouraged others to be sensitive to the needs of those on the autism spectrum and their caregivers and to help to create a nation without boxes.
Only Jars Are Labeled - Senior Grand Prize Winner LaTess Bartlett, of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy in Freeport recited her winning essay. The eleventh grader, who is also President of the Lucaya Anchor Club, described her personal experiences as a volunteer interacting with children on the autism spectrum.
Grand Prize Winners LaTess Bartlett (Senior Category) and Amaya Fowler (Junior Category) celebrate their win.
