"It's not about me anymore. It's about me and my son, making a better life for him."

Jacintha Marsham

Courage to Overcome:  Personal Adversity

When Jacintha Marsham was just 14 years old, she was forced to drop out of school due to pregnancy.  After the birth of her son Zion’ni, Jacintha returned to Verchilds  High determined to finish high school and make a better life for her son. Things were going okay when during the summer after form 4A1 tragedy struck.

Jacintha was taking an afternoon nap when she heard shots in the distance and her grandmother’s screams.  She rushed to her grandmother’s side and together they ran up the hill to where the shots were fired.  Covered in blood, her brother Dexter was being cradled in the arms of her brother Ricaldo.  Both were praying.  People in the crowd were shouting at her, saying that Alpha, her son’s father, had shot Dexter.  In the chaos of the scene, Jacintha realized that her son was missing.  The police couldn’t find Alpha or Zion’ni.  Finally, a neighbor from another village heard a baby crying, and Zion’ni was found alone in the bedroom of Alpha’s house.  Alpha was arrested for Dexter’s murder and remains in prison today, but the nightmare of that day and the events that followed, have forever changed Jacintha’s life. 
Dexter was her best friend, the brother she was closest to. People blamed Jacintha for his death; saying that if she’d stayed away from Alpha like she’d been warned, her brother would be alive today.  Jacintha carries the guilt of that burden with her everywhere. The pain and loss of that day are etched deeply in her heart. 

Jacintha credits her cousin Rosyln with helping her find the courage to overcome her adversities and move forward with her life.  “She has always been there for me,” Jacintha says of Rosyln.  “She is the one person I know who loves me unconditionally and it is her love that gives me the strength to carry on.  It’s not about me anymore; it’s about me and my son, making a better life for him.” 

Jacintha’s grades dropped as she tried to deal with her loss, but recovered with determination and hard work. Jacintha graduated from Verchilds last spring, sitting nine subjects and passing seven.

Jacintha believes it is important for adults to reach out to young people at an early age, to start in pre-school by teaching children the impact that today’s decisions will have on tomorrow.  Jacintha’s advice to other young people, “Be careful who you choose to be your friends; and think twice before you make any decisions.  You’ve got to understand that you can’t take back something once it’s been done.”

Jacintha is currently enrolled as a first semester student at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.  She plans to pursue a career in Criminal Law.

Jacintha is a 17 year old recent graduate of Verchilds High School.  She receives the Remarkable Teen award in the category of Courage to Overcome: Personal Adversity

Trevaughn Williams

Social Conscience

Social consciousness is defined as an awareness of the problems and difficulties that communities face and the issues which are important both individually and collectively. Trevaughn Williams is passionate about speaking out about such issues and about providing young people with a forum where their voices can be heard.

Even at six, Trevaughn recognized opportunity as he tagged along to ZIZ with his sister who had an appointment there. While waiting for her, a woman named Jasmine asked him if he would like to say a few words on the program she was currently hosting.  Trevaughn said “yes” and a star was born. Six years later Trevaughn continues to host the ZIZ Saturday radio program “Totally for Kids” presenting topics for discussion on a variety of issues that affect youth in St. Kitts and Nevis. 

Trevaughn has a strong voice and a quick mind.  Mature beyond his years, he views problems in the community as challenges that can be addressed through information sharing and communication.  He also believes it is important to provide diverse opportunities for engagement between young people and adults as he views this as a critical first step in building a foundation for genuine partnerships, respect and understanding.  Trevaughn feels strongly that programs such as “Totally for Kids” can be the catalyst for finding solutions through collective dialogue.

Appreciating the role social consciousness and activism have played in history, Trevaughn has many role models whom he considers inspirational, including Martin Luther King, Jr.

Trevaughn is also committed to academic excellence.  Sixth grade class Valedictorian, he has always believed in his dreams.  Trevaughn considers himself to be a fair minded and curious person; determined to learn everything he can from as many different perspectives as possible. 

Trevaughn is a 12 year old student at Washington Archibald High School with plans to attend medical school and become a physician. He receives the Remarkable Teen award in the category of Social Conscience. 

Rae Dawn Thomas

Theatre Arts

Rae Dawn Thomas has been actively involved in drama since 2005 when she was still a student at Tucker Clark Primary School.  “Drama helped me gain confidence in myself,” she says.  “Acting onstage was my emotional outlet.”

President of the 30 member Youth Exploring Talent Theatre group directed by nominator Moses Byron, Rae Dawn works as a coach for children ages six through twelve every Saturday afternoon training them to develop acting skills and stage performance techniques, focusing specifically on monologues. One of her goals for the clinic is to make it a place where kids can deal with their emotions, both negative and positive.  “Anger, pain whatever they’re feeling, I tell them it’s a safe place for them to be real and I encourage them to act out on stage, not offstage.” Rae Dawn’s life dream is to become the first actress from St. Kitts to reach Hollywood.

Her dream notwithstanding, Rae Dawn is also committed to sharing her passion for drama with providing a path for others to pursue their love for the arts.  Three years ago Rae Dawn created a scholarship program for students at Tucker Clark Primary School. Performing a monologue at the school to raise money to fund the program, Rae Dawn and others then select two drama students each year to receive the scholarship money which is then used to pay for school supplies.

Committed to academics as well, Rae Dawn graduated from Basseterre High School with eight distinctions.

Rae Dawn has made several DVD’s featuring her unique talent as an actress including “Hurry Dog Eat Raw Corn” and “Rae Girl on Stage.” 

Rae Dawn has a back up career plan too, and will continue to advance her education in the field of accounting. Rae Dawn currently attends Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College

Rae Dawn is a 16 year old graduate of Basseterre High School.  She is being recognized as a Remarkable Teen in the category of Theatre Arts.

Patrick Walters

Writer

Patrick Walters is an outstanding student and a committed community leader, serving as an active member of SKYNPA where he volunteers 40 hours a year to community service projects.

Patrick is also the past President of the Young Leaders Project for Sustainable Development where his team placed first, and he was a member of the Washington Archibald High School Junior Achievement Program, leading his team to win Best Business Plan, Best Marketing Plan, Best Financial Plan and Best Overall Business.

Patrick wrote his C.X.C.’s in 2010 where he attained ten subject passes and five distinctions. 

Aside from his academic endeavors, Patrick has been a member of the national youth cricket teams in both the under 13 and under 19 levels, as well as the Leeward Island under 17 team.  Patrick has also been a regular contributor to Island Expressions since 2008, a performance venue showcasing the talents of writers, musicians and actors.

Patrick started writing at the age of eight. He finds his passion in words. Much of what he writes concerns issues relevant to his generation, and as an involved young man he finds much to write about.  But poetry is the style of writing in which he is most interested.  Patrick writes every day and he considers himself a poet. 

In 2010, Patrick performed at the Independence Gala Night in front of the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.  His poem, Mash Down 2:00 O’Clock, was warmly received and he has continued to perform the selection by request at other events.  Patrick derives inspiration for his poetry from music, conversations and current events.  Patrick hopes to publish a book of his poems one day.

Patrick Walters is a second year student at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College where he is taking courses in law, literature and sociology.  He plans to continue writing while studying for a career as a criminal lawyer.  Patrick is being recognized as a Remarkable Teen in the category of Writing.

Aldeen Isaac

Academic Excellence

Aldeen Isaac is an involved teen, too. Co-Captain of the Basseterre Cheerleading Squad for four years, Aldeen helped bring her team to victory in more than one competition.  She also participated in netball, culture club and was a member of the Young Leaders Association. Aldeen has received numerous awards for her contributions over the years including: winner, in all categories, of the 2009-2010 “Effective Speaking Competition”, winner of the 2009 Rotary Club Talent Show in the category of dance, and winner of the 2010 French Spelling Bee competition.

Aldeen is also an academic with a heart.  A talented dancer, Aldeen loves to share her passion for dance with others.  She plans to continue dancing while pursuing her advanced education at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College by becoming a member of the CFBC dance ensemble; and she wants to give back to the community by using her years of dance experience to volunteer and teach younger children both cheerleading and dance.

Nominated by her mother, Mrs. Debbie Isaac wrote “Aldeen always strives for excellence and seeks to learn something new.  Her passion for dance pushes her to thrive. She does everything to the best of her ability and possesses a high level of emotional intelligence.”

Aldeen has a keen interest in radiology, but she also has an entrepreneurial spirit and dreams one day of opening a “Super Store” like Walmart.  While undecided in which direction she will ultimately go, Aldeen is currently enrolled in a two-year program at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College where she is taking courses in business management.

Aldeen is a 17 year old recent graduate of Washington Archibald High School.  Finishing school with 12 distinctions, Aldeen placed on the Honor Roll and Principal’s List every term from first through fifth form.  She receives the Remarkable Teen award for academic excellence.