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| STAYFIELD PRYCE ~ COURAGE TO OVERCOME: PHYSICAL LIMITATION |
Stayfield Pryce was born with webbed fingers, a fusion of the digits. The scientific name for this condition is syndactyly, and it occurs between six and eight weeks of gestation when “programmed cell death” is absent or incomplete. There is about a one in 10,000 chance that a child will be born with this abnormality of the newborn hand.Stayfield was also born without legs, a “sporadic birth defect” he was told; which is basically doctors saying they don’t know why it happened.
People stare at him; some bully, some are afraid, and most make up their own narrative about who he is, but usually when they get to know him, that narrative changes. Stayfield believes that people need to be able to tell their own story, to place you in a context within their own world, before they can understand and accept those who are different.
“I was born without legs,” explained Stayfield matter-of-factly. “This is all I’ve known, and to me, it’s not really a big deal.”
When Stayfield was six and about to enter kindergarten, he was fit for prosthesis and has worn them ever since. With the aid of the prosthesis, Stayfield found he could run and have fun like other children.
He began to believe he could do whatever he put his mind to.
“Not everyone is born perfect,” Stayfield said. “I have been given an opportunity to teach people to be more accepting. By living a full and productive life, and not letting my disability hold me back, I can be a positive role model for others.”
Stayfield is an active young man who enjoys skateboarding by balancing his torso on the skateboard and moving expertly through the streets. He also likes to play cricket with his friends and plays the position of bowler.
Passionate about singing, Stayfield competed in the “Talent Explosion” at Cayon High School and placed third. He also holds the lead position in the Cayon High School Choir and sings in the church choir. Love songs are his favorite.
Stayfield believes that love is more important than anything else in the world, and feels fortunate to have experienced the unconditional love of his family. Stayfield credits his mom for giving him the freedom and independence which has inspired his determination to challenge limitations, and his friend Sylvester Moses, for supporting his optimism and confidence.
Stayfield Pryce is a 16-year old fifth form student at Cayon High School. He receives the Remarkable Teen award in the category of Courage to Overcome: Physical Limitation.
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| KISHONA PEMBERTON ~ FASHION AND STYLE |
Kishona Pemberton was born to create style. She is passionate about fashion and style, and truly believes that by helping people discover their unique beauty, she is advancing a positive step towards building self esteem. “When you look good, you feel good,” she said, quoting Vidal Sassoon, world renowned hairdresser and entrepreneur.
As a little girl, Kishona would sew clothes for her dolls, dress them up, style their hair, and pretend they were on a runway doing a fashion show, and that she was the designer. Today, she uses the internet to follow fashion and style trends around the world, but sets her own trends, and uses her special creativity to help others express themselves.
Kishona especially enjoys hair design and is expert at styles, including braids, weaves, and locks. At the age of 10, Kishona started experimenting with her own hair, involving her mom, or “practice head” as she jokingly calls her, to try out new techniques and styles. By the age of 13, Kishona was designing hairstyles for other people and began to develop a clientele. When Kishona was 15, she met Esmie, a local hairdresser, who taught her more advanced techniques in braiding and weaving. Kishona now has a regular clientele of 60, including friends, family, and people who came to her by “word of mouth”. She operates this “business” mostly out of her home, but is happy to go to her clients if the need arises. Kishona uses the money she earns from hairdressing for school and to help her family.
Kishona believes in the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and feels that everyone has a responsibility to contribute something to a child’s life; to building a solid foundation toward healthy development and future success. Kishona volunteers as a substitute Sunday School teacher at the Church of Christ in Basseterre, and helps the teacher at her neighborhood school with marking papers when she is needed. Kishona is always open to lending a hand.
Kishona enjoys sports too, and plays football and netball. In 2009, Kishona was a member of the U16 National Netball Team.
Kishona plans to pursue a career in cosmetology and hopes to open a hair salon and cosmetics store in St. Kitts.
Kishona Pemberton is an 18-year old student at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College enrolled in the general studies program. She receives the Remarkable Teen award in the category of Fashion and Style.
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| DENNISIA CLARKE ~ PHOTOGRAPHY |
Dennisia Clarke approaches photography as an art. She believes that when you bring emotion to a photograph, or any work of art, it helps the viewer connect to the intent of the artist – happiness and joy, sorrow and despair, hope and expectation, universal emotions all weaving together the fabric of life. In photography, Dennisia has found a way to share how she experiences the world.
“A photograph should create visual tension to trigger emotions,” she said. Dennisia feels that in photos showing nature for example, it can be both the fragility and beauty, or the power and force; in portraits, the soul as seen through the eyes and the hands: different people connect to each photo depending on what they are experiencing, what they’re looking for. These experiences are what bring that photo to life.
Dennisia began taking pictures at the age of eight, an interest she acquired from spending time in her aunt’s photography studio where she used to help out after school. Now she sees photography as a way to express her creativity. Dennisia volunteers as the school photographer.
Dennisia enrolled in the Lyn Jeffers School in 2009 because her mother felt that she should repeat third form to improve her performance, and she was not allowed to do this at her previous school. Dennisia is glad she repeated a grade, believing that the experience has made her a more confident person. “I’m a diligent student,” she said. “And I always give 100% effort to do my best, not just enough to get the work done.”
In 2011, Dennisia suffered a severe head trauma and was hospitalized and out of school for three weeks. It was feared she would suffer permanent damage and be unable to read or write again. “I was scared,” Dennisia said, “but by the power of God’s hands, there was no permanent damage. I am grateful for God’s healing.”
Dennisia was President of her graduating class at the Lyn Jeffers School where she organized fundraisers and other school activities. She was also involved in the Young Leader program, meeting weekly, and participating in various fundraising and community service projects.
Dennisia especially enjoyed her experience in Junior Achievers. As Vice-President of her team in her second year, Dennisia was actively involved in all areas of planning and implementation, and remembers the excitement she felt going to St. Kitts to participate in the Junior Achievers Exhibition where the Lyn Jeffers team sold their “all natural ingredients recipe book”.
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| JEFFVANCIA MATTHEW ~ COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT |
Jeffvancia Matthew always looks for ways she can contribute to her school, her church, and her community. She understands that “we are all in this together” and she is dedicated to the spirit of community. Jeffvancia believes that each committed person can change a piece of the world.
From achieving “Best Test of Standards” results in 2008, to placing on the Principal’s Honor Roll since first form, and leading her team at the 2012 “Best in Class” St. Christopher Aviation and Sea Port Authority Quiz Competition, Jeffvancia has consistently demonstrated academic excellence.
Jeffvancia is involved in a variety of extracurricular activities at Saddler Secondary School where she is a member of the Science Club, Leadership Club, and Netball Club. She also volunteers as a peer mentor and tutor. Jeffvancia is an aspiring youth leader and a valued member of the student body.
Jeffvancia is also an accomplished athlete, receiving the “Most Valuable Player” award for two consecutive years as part of the netball team at Edgar T. Morris Primary School, and again at Saddler’s Secondary School in 2010 where she plays goal shoot, wing defense, and goal defense.
Jeffvancia loves to dance and has performed at Rotary Club, Independence Day, school, and church events. She is an active member of both the Wesleyan Holiness Dance New Covenant Ministry Dance Groups. At New Covenant, Jeffvancia coordinates the dance group, meeting twice a week with team members for practice and fun. She also sings in her school and church choirs.
Jeffvancia is a congregant of the New Covenant Ministries Church where she attends weekly services and spends an average of ten hours a week as a youth activities volunteer.
When asked for her reaction to being selected as a Remarkable Teen, Jeffvancia said, “I am ecstatic about being selected, especially in the category of community involvement. I don’t look at being involved as a duty, but as an opportunity to give back and to make a difference. I hope to represent my school, my community, and my country with grace and dignity.”
Jeffvancia especially enjoys the study of biology and plans to pursue a career as a pathologist.
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