With a goal of developing leadership qualities in the youth through the use of the gospel, the Highbury Park Church of Christ for the past eight years has taken a group of the church's youth members to the Orlando Youth Convention where they engage in a number of activities, including the Bible Bowl and Bible discussions centered on a theme selected annually for the convention. The Lads program is open to all youths in grades three through 12. This year's theme was "One" and was based on the New Testament Books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.
The youth returned home with 37 awards captured in 13 programs, with Ricarla Bonimy taking first place in the speech division for 11th to 12th grade students; Alexandra Armbrister claiming the honor for ninth through 10th grade students, and Riya Miller taking the honor in the seventh to eighth grade division. Chrisselle Curry and Rhan Miller took the one-two sweep respectively in the third to fourth grade division. Madison Ingraham, Elicia Knowles and Sharnell Coicous were third in the seventh to eighth grade speech division.
In the song leaders division, Bruce Bowe was second among the boys in fifth and sixth grades; Theophilus Weir Jr. took the finalist trophy for grade four, and Darnell Coicous walked away with third place for seventh through eighth grade girls.
The students also did well on their exams, which are required as part of the convention participation. They had to study the books of Galatians, Ephesians Philippians and Colossians.
The highest scores awards were given to grades three to six participants Shiann Roker, Rhan Miller, Theophilus Weir Jr., Chrisselle Curry and Sharnell Coicous and grades seven to 12 students, Darnell Coicous, Riya Miller, Madison Ingraham, Alexandria Armbrister, Megan Woodside, Ricarla Bonimy and Elicia Knowles. The students placed third in the Bible Bowl team competition with Madison Ingraham, Elicia Knowles, Darnell Coicous and Riya Miller and took the finalist position for third to fourth grade students with Theophilus Weir Jr., Rhan Miller, Chrisselle Curry and Shiann Roker.
The church's youth members also engaged in art projects, song leading skills, speeches and debate, and laid claim to the art category win, something they've done since it was introduced in 2010.
"We are proud of the students and their continued stellar performance, not just at the international convention, but also in the local competitions which are done in Nassau prior to the contingent travelling to the United States," said Rochelle Newbold, the director.
The Lads Team is made up of a group of dedicated teachers -- Verlie Poitier, Rochelle Coakley, Margaret Woodside, Gwendolyn Sealy, Chris Curry, Sean Miller, Dorothy Been, Latterio and Vashti Woodside, Shirl Roker and Claire Edwards.
"It is because of the dedication of the team members that the program at Highbury Park has been so successful," said Lads administrator Sean Miller. "This program has been a tool that has provided the students with confidence and a direction for their lives, and we couldn't ask for anything more."
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