The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Road Safety Committee (GBRSC) was pleased with the level of knowledge and ideas penned by students on the importance of road safety in this year’s essay competition - ‘Making Our Streets Safe for All Road Users’.

Tanae Lewis, of St Paul’s Methodist College, won in the junior high school category, while Adrianna Gardiner, of Grand Bahama Academy, won the senior division. The winners and runners-up were announced and presented with their prizes at the Ministry of Education on Wednesday.

GBRSC chairman Reginald Fraser presented Ms Lewis with the first place prize of a laptop, and a tablet went to Ms Gardiner.

Sade Johnson and Aiyanna Ferguson, both of St Paul’s Methodist College, who were second and third in the junior category, were presented with a cell phone, and a $100 gift certificate from Bethel’s Books & Stationers, respectively.

Asher Percentie, of Sunland Baptist Academy, was second in the senior category and received a cell phone. Third place winner Jamaice Bazilio, of the Eight Mile Rock High School, received a $100 gift certificate from Bellevue Business Depot.

More than 900 traffic accidents occurred in Grand Bahama last year and the GBRSC, Road Traffic Department and Police Traffic Division announced several initiatives this year to sensitise the public of the importance of road safety. This included an essay competition for students.

Tammi Mitchell, secretary of the GBRSC, commended students from the various schools for their participation. She noted that the winners were only selected after two rounds of intense judging.

Several students were also presented with gift certificates, including Brenae Rolle, of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, who received a $75 gift certificate from Playtime Sports, and Delvonae Beckles, of Sunland Baptist Academy, who got a $75 gift certificate from Bethel’s Books & Stationers.

Daytwon Dames and Israel Taylor, who wrote a road safety rap song, also received $75 gift certificates from Bellevue Business Depot and Bellevue Gifts & Supplies, respectively. Jemonique Barnable, of St Paul’s Methodist College, who submitted an artistic drawing on road safety, received a $75 gift certificate from Gizmos & Gadgets.

Mary Cooper, district superintendent of education for West Grand Bahama, was pleased that the committee decided to use the forum to discuss such an important topic.

Karen Mortimer, National Road Safety Co-ordinator, brought remarks on behalf of the Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith.

The committee thanked the essay competition judges Samuel Rigby, Valeria Burrows and Maria Martin as well as participating schools and corporate partners for making the event a sucess.