Left to right: Marva Daniel, principal of CCSS; Chad Goolaman, awardee; Earny St. Catherine, president of Orange Media Group; Brittany Henry, awardee; and homeroom teacher.
One of the region’s leading marketing agencies, Orange Media Group, recently presented a number of prizes to top-performing students at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS).
In its bid to show support for youth and academic excellence, the company provided the rewards, which included a scholarship, bursary and trophies for a host of different achievements, a press release said.
Among what was presented at the recently held CCSS graduation ceremony, was an Orange Media Group President’s Award for Excellence to Brittany Henry, the student of the year and valedictorian for the CCSS Class of 2013. She also received a special French Award and was also named Most Dedicated Student.
Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy presented the award.
President of Orange Media Group Earny St. Catherine said Henry’s awards hold special significance to him. St. Catherine, a past student of CCSS, was valedictorian in 1989; president of the Student’s Council; won numerous regional and international competitions for French and literature and was the island’s top junior debater.
He said: “I am very proud of Brittany’s achievements which remind me so much of my graduation year at CCSS. As my alma mater, CCSS will always have a special place in my heart for it was there that I developed a thirst for excellence. This commitment to CCSS is indicative of my and Orange Media’s deep commitment to the development of young persons who show present excellence and also potential to be truly outstanding in life and not only academically,”
An elated Henry, who served as the school’s head prefect and a youth parliamentarian, said,.: “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. St. Catherine because I have prayed a lot to especially get the Student of the Year award and getting it, tears are running down my cheeks. I am very grateful to have gotten this award and to be sponsored by Orange Media because now I can find out more about this company and probably become an entrepreneur myself to do something like he is doing to encourage students to create a business and to finance other students or to sponsor awards and just do something motivating just as he did; so I really congratulate him for helping me make my dreams come true.”
Meanwhile, Chad Goolaman who was named Most Disciplined Male, was also presented with the Principal’s Award and Orange Media Award for Contribution to School Life.
Noting his pleasure in receiving the company’s award, Goolaman expressed gratitude for the accolade “because it shows me that I have been awarded for my hard work at CCSS. I am greatly impressed by this award. I believe that this company is doing a very good job in sponsoring students; it shows that they are seeing what the youth are doing and this helps.”
The principal of the institution also articulated her appreciation for the Orange Media Group’s contribution particularly as it comes at a time when “resources are scarce.”
Among other awards given by Orange Media Group were the Best French Prize, the Business Education Department Award, Contribution to School Life Award and Student of the Year 2013 Award.
The company has provided a bursary for Henry to cover her regular school fees, uniforms, books, transportation and a laptop for her first year at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, the release said.
Orange Media Group is one of the leading marketing and advertising agencies in the OECS with over 20 years experience. The company has also been involved in conceptualizing and executing marketing and communications campaigns for high-profile clients in telecommunications, insurance, banking and retail, according to the release.