My Word – District Seven Does it Again!

The 2024 COURTS National Schools Reading Competition was held Tuesday at the Financial Centre, Pointe Seraphine, Castries.

Students were first selected to represent their schools and then competed against students in their respective districts.
Eight youngsters participated in the finals.

The finalists were Rajhan Joseph –district 1, Sheila Marie Leo-District 2, Qiannah Grace Joseph-District 3, Elijah Angelique Regis –District 4, Arianne Gaspard-district 5, Shermillah William-district 6, Aiden Craig Charles-District 7 and Sophia Monrose-District 8.

The students were judged in two segments: reading a narrative and presenting a news item.

Aden Craig Charles, a grade 4 student at the Dugard Primary School, won the judges’ nod with 443 points and was declared the overall winner of the 2024 Courts National Schools Reading Competition.

Aden was the only male among the eight competitors and represented District 7.

Last year, a student from District 7 also won the reading competition.
Aden says he loves Physical Education and sports and enjoys playing video games, particularly Minecraft.

He received a trophy, EC$1000 from COURTS, EC$500 from KFC, EC$200 from the Teachers Credit Cooperative and a gift basket from LUMNAT Distribution.

In second place with 412 points was Shermillah William, representing District 6.

She also received a trophy, EC$800 from COURTS, EC$300 from KFC, and gift basket from LUMNAT Distribution.

In third place with 410 points was Rajhan Joseph from District 1. She received a trophy of EC$500 from COURTS, EC$200 from KFC, and a basket from LUMNAT Distribution.

The finalists received certificates, tablets from UNICOMER, and gift bags from other sponsors.

In addressing the students, Beverly Diuedonne, Chief Education Officer, described the event as one that celebrates the power of reading and students’ amazing talents.

She also expressed her gratitude to COURTS for collaborating with the Department of Education in organising the competition.

“Your continued support of literacy initiatives has had a profound impact on our students encouraging them to develop a love for reading and this is foundational for success in both school and life,” Dieudonne said.

The Managing Director of Unicomer OECS, Johnathan Johannes, said in his address that he hoped more students picked up the practice of reading. “It will help you not only in your academic life, but in your professional life,” he said.

He went on to say that his love for Mathematics and everything he does today comes from a love for reading.

“As the Managing Director for UNICOMER OECS, I firmly believe that education is the corner stone of any thriving society,” Johannes said. “It shapes our future, opens doors to opportunity and fosters creativity, empathy and innovation. Reading is at the very heart of this process. It is the key to knowledge and the gateway to endless possibilities,” he added.

This is the fifteenth year that COURTS (Unicomer) is spearheading the National Schools Reading Competition along with the Department of Education and other partners.