Teens Rock the World Right Here from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis

SAMUEL OYEBEFUN ~ SCHOLAR ATHLETE

Samuel Oyebefun is both an athlete and a scholar; and a genuinely kind-hearted and thoughtful young man.

 A sprinter who competes for his school and his country, Samuel holds the record in the 400m U15 Boys at 54.80, and is rated the fastest runner in that same category for both the 100m at 11.87, and 200m at 23.9.

Part of the St. Kitts National Team in 2010, Samuel competed in the Leeward Islands Youth Games in Anguilla, and received the Gold Medal in the U13 Boys 800m, and the Silver Medal for the 400m.

A groin injury sidelined Samuel in 2011, but his passion for the sport, and his exemplary work ethic, brought him back in six months. When Samuel returned, Timothy Morton, Samuel’s coach and the man Samuel credits with his athletic excellence, decided to work on Samuel’s speed as part of his comeback routine, and entered him in the 100m and 200m events at the 2012 Washington Archibald Sports Day; and again in the SKNAAA Interschool Competitions, where Samuel won Gold Medals in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, and 4x400m events.  Earning five Gold Medals in this competition, Samuel was presented with the U15 Male Champion Honor for his achievement.

A fourth form student at Washington Archibald High School, Samuel has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll for three years straight. Samuel said that his role as Vice-President of Production for the WAHS Junior Achievers project in 2012 was an experience that taught him a lot about business, and an experience he thoroughly enjoyed.

Samuel is also committed to helping others.  He mentors young children who want to get involved in track and field, and tutors classmates who need help with their studies.  Samuel is an Usher at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, too.

Samuel hopes one day to become a computer software engineer.  Not surprisingly, based on his career dream, his role model is Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer.  Samuel looks up to Jobs both for his innovation and his inspiration in encouraging others to “Think Different”.

Samuel invests 100% in everything he does, and believes that others should too.  “Giving everything your best effort is the key to being successful.”  He hopes to change the computer world one day, and through his work, find real solutions to human problems.  It is an ambitious and admirable goal.

Samuel Oyebefun is a 14-year old fourth form student at Washington Archibald High School.  He receives the Remarkable Teen honor as a Scholar Athlete for his combined academic and athletic ability.



NEKHAILA TYSON ~ MOST PROMISING TEEN



Nekhaila Tyson is intelligent and creative, focused and committed, an exemplary leader and an involved citizen; but equally important, she is kindhearted and selfless, a humble and inspiring young lady.

Valedictorian of her primary school, Nekhaila represented her school at every quiz competition and remains unsurpassed academically for her age, winning “Best Female” in the 2010 “Best of Standards” competition.  Nekhaila continues to place first in class as a high school student, in all terms, and most recently earned 100% on eight of eleven subjects.

Nekhaila has been an active member of the Shekhinah Dance Theatre for the past five years, performing at special community events such as the Maureen Adams and Dillon Claxton Benefits, and the Blind, Light and Visually Impaired Society.

Nekhaila is also an aspiring poet and has been writing poetry and performing recitations publicly for the past five years.  Some of her dramatizations have been heard at the Tribute to the Elderly, Social Security 30th Anniversary, Church of God Regional Conference 2010, and the Renal Society.  Nekhaila earned first place at the CSS Poetry Competition, and third place at the Island Xpression Poetry Competition for her submissions.

Nekhaila is also a caring person, and committed to making her community a better place. She gives of her time generously, tutoring her peers in math and other subjects, and sharing her positive attitude.   Nekhaila has adopted two elderly people in her village, and does her best to enrich their lives by bringing them food baskets and visiting with them regularly.

During her school break this summer, Nekhaila volunteered for two weeks at the Flamboyant House, a local home for the elderly.  Nekhaila said that working with the elderly is one of her most gratifying experiences.  “Older people have so much history to share,” she said.  “So much to teach us; so many lessons for us to learn.”

Nekhaila is also a school leader, and served as Student Council President at Maude Crosse Preparatory Primary School where she led a school fundraiser earning $4,000 for the school.  A role model for her peers, Nekhaila is serious about her responsibilities.

Nekhaila is passionate about many things.  When asked what she is most passionate about, Nekhaila said, “Life”. 

Nekhaila plans to attend medical school after completing college and would like to become an obstetrician, hoping one day to find a cure for endometriosis. 

Nekhaila Tyson is a 14-year old third form student at Charlestown Secondary School.  She is being recognized as the Most Promising Teen for her combined abilities in leadership, academics, performing arts, and community service.

K'SHANTA REID ~ CAMPUS LEADERSHIP

K’Shanta Reid is the kind of leader with the ability to unite her peers toward a common purpose, a positive attitude that builds trust, and the character that inspires confidence.

K’Shanta is President of the Washington Archibald High School Student Council. In 2010 she was elected and served as Treasurer, and in 2011 she was elected Vice-President. K’Shanta explained that in 2012 the elected President had to step down, and she then assumed that position. As President, K’Shanta committed to representing all students, and believes that she has worked hard to accomplish this goal.  K’Shanta brings an inclusive leadership style to her position as Student Council President, making certain that she is approachable, and once approached, that she is a good listener.  

Some of the activities K’Shanta and the other council members organized and led throughout the year were: Spirit Week, Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week, and Word of the Week.

K’Shanta maintains high standards for herself and others.  She feels that part of her life purpose is to motivate her peers and younger children to move toward the positive things in life; to prepare themselves so that they will be able to make valuable contributions in their communities, schools, and to their country.  It is easy to see that she takes her role as a campus leader seriously.

Committed to academic excellence, K’Shanta has been on the school Honor Roll since first form.  K’Shanta earned the title of Valedictorian at the Seventh Day Adventist Primary School.

K’Shanta enjoys sports, including netball, basketball, football, and cricket, and continues to play on the school teams. K’Shanta was team Captain for the 2011 Open Netball Tournament. 

She sings at both school and church events, and since K’Shanta is educated in music, helps to prepare the other students by teaching and directing their music practices.

K’Shanta is a member of the Caribbean Healthy Life Style Club, a group that focuses on healthy living, encouraging abstinence from drugs, alcohol, and sex.  She also participates as a volunteer for the St. Christopher Outreach Centre, serving lunch to the homeless and hungry.

After high school graduation, K’Shanta plans to attend college where she will study criminal science and forensic pathology.

K’Shanta Reid is a 16-year old fifth form student at Washington Archibald High School.  She is being recognized as a Remarkable Teen in the category of Campus Leadership.

 

KHYLA BROWN ~ CITIZENSHIP



To Khyla Brown, being a good citizen means being an involved citizen.  It means being aware of what is happening in your country, your community, and your school – and making the commitment to do whatever you can do to help. “A good citizen thinks not only of himself, but of his country,” Khyla said.  “I live by my country’s motto, ‘Country above self’.”

When asked to sing for CARICOM at the Heads of Government Conference held in St. Kitts on July 3, 2011, Khyla accepted without hesitation and with a great sense of honor; the same for the Labor Congress Conventions in 2010 and 2011, and again as one of six people representing St. Kitts at the 2012 World Expo held in South Korea.

Khyla loves to sing and dance and has been a member of the dance group “LEAP” for the past two years.  She was also a two-year member of the Basseterre High School Cheerleading Team, serving as Captain of the squad in her second year. As part of the cheerleading team, Khyla led her squad to receive second place in the 2011 Interschool Cheer Competition. Khyla was also a member of the Basseterre High Team that was awarded “Best High School” for their song and dance routine in the 2011 Clash of the High Schools Competition.  

President of the 2012 Prom Committee for Basseterre High School, Khyla led the planning committee, including selecting the venue at the Firehouse Restaurant, and organizing school fundraisers to support this very successful event.

Khyla is an active volunteer, serving as a tutor and mentor for both peers and younger children experiencing academic challenges and other problems.  Last year, she was invited to speak to the sixth grade class at Tucker Clarke Primary School about preparing for the high school “Test of Standards” exams. Khyla enjoys her position as a role model for young people.

Khyla is also a young entrepreneur and the founder of “Cuchi’s Nail Creations”, an acrylic nail design business she started six years ago and manages from her mother’s shop, “First Class” at Port Zante.  Khyla saves much of the money she earns from her work, planning to use it to pay for college.

Khyla was on the Principal’s Honor Roll at Basseterre first through fifth form and earned six Distinctions in 2012.

Khyla Brown is a 17-year old recent graduate of Basseterre High School.  She is currently enrolled in science courses at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. Khyla receives the Remarkable Teen award in the category of Citizenship.

WRICHERLEY GUMBS ~ YOUTH ACTIVISM

Wricherley Gumbs is a doer; an active and informed young man, always willing to stand up for what he believes in and committed to the healthy and successful development of young people throughout the Federation.

President of the Washington Archibald High School Student Government Association in 2010, Wricherley was also elected President of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Student Government Association in both 2011 and 2012.  Wricherley is an outstanding public speaker, and especially enjoys debating and effective speaking competitions, consistently participating in these activities through church and school.  

Wricherley graduated from Washington Archibald High School in 2012 having attained eight subject passes and three grade ones.  However, like all teenagers, he faced a number of challenges in high school.  Wricherley explained: “In the first two years of high school negative peer pressure led me to drift from my goals, and in my third year I was demoted as a result of poor grades. I was devastated by the failure and made the commitment right then, despite the struggles I faced, that I would seize the opportunity of second chances, refocus my efforts, and strive for excellence.”

The setback of a demotion was Wricherley’s wake-up call, and his positive attitude when faced with this setback was critical to his present success.  It is a story that should serve as a model for all teenagers to use good judgment and to say no to risk taking behavior, and a story that Wricherley wants to share with other youth. “No influence in life is greater than peer pressure,” he said. “While positive peer pressure is a strong motivating force, the opposite can be said of negative peer pressure.”  Wricherley believes that a vibrant and resilient community fosters the successful development of children, and he plans to use his experience to help other teens avoid the consequences of making bad decisions.

Wricherley enjoys writing and has written many notable poems. His poems on education and the environment earned first place awards in the UNESCO 2010 Poetry Competition. Of poetry, Wricherley said, “Poetry is me.  It’s the medium I use to express my thoughts, where I find true solace.”  Proud of his culture, Wricherley also uses his talent as a writer to write and sing Calypso and has competed in Junior Calypso competitions for the past five years.

Wricherley Gumbs is 18 years old and a recent graduate of Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.  He has just started his first year as an English teacher at his alma mater, Washington Archibald High School.  Wricherley receives the Remarkable Teen award for Youth Activism.