Nora Viola Henriques has given a lifetime of professional service in nursing and as a volunteer at the YMCA in Jamaica for more than 40 years. She was the first female to be appointed Chairman of the Board of the YMCA, and served in that capacity from 1985 to 1987 and from 1989 to 1991. She also served as President of the National Council of YMCAs in Jamaica from 1990 to 1991.

Kandi-Lee Alexandria Crooks-Smith, who was born in Kingston, has always had an interest in working with young people. This passion led her to The Mico University College where she graduated as a trained teacher in 1999.  She is now the Principal of the Allman Town Primary School.

 

Mrs. Crooks-Smith has been teaching since 1998, starting with her tenure at the Constant Spring Primary and Junior High School. The decision to join the Allman Town Primary School family opened the door of opportunities.  Within a few years she was promoted to Senior Teacher, and has been Principal since September 2008.

 

Service to her community is integral to her passion for her students’ success, and to her own personal growth and development. Kandi-Lee has contributed by being the Director of Children’s Activity through a Child Evangelism Outreach Programme, with motto, ‘Every Child Needs Christ’. She is also a volunteer with the St. Paul’s United Church’s After School Remedial Reading Programme for students in Kingston. She is currently the coordinator and teacher for the Allman Town Primary School Parenting Study Circle, and the faculty advisor for the Optimist Club at the school and at the St. Mathew’s Church.

 

This outstanding and success-driven educator has fostered a special relationship with the parents of students attending the Allman Town Primary School by teaching them about the Child Care and Protection Act. She also guides them as they pursue small business ventures.

 

Kandi-Lee Alexandria Crooks-Smith it is with pride and confidence that the members of the Governor-General’s Achievement Awards Committee of Kingston have selected you as a worthy recipient of the Governor-General’s Award of Excellence for the parish of Kingston, in the year 2009.

 Roberto Nicholas Moreland, known to his colleagues as “Pilot”, was asked by his mother “what would you like to be when you grow up?” This is a typical question asked of young children especially by their parents, and young Roberto proudly said, “a Pilot.” His shocked mother asked him for another option just in case this one did not come to fruition, and he replied, “I have no other plans, I will be a Pilot.”

 

Thus began the career path of Roberto Moreland.  He grew up in Kingston 14 and, faced with limited resources, was fortunate to have had parents who valued education and who supported him as best as they could. His life story is filled with determination and pride in his achievement despite the odds faced in a socially and economically challenged community.

 

Roberto admits that when he was younger he did not exercise the best judgement at all times, but he had very strict parents who sought to ensure that he adopted the appropriate values and attitudes to achieve success. His friends had to foster similar values, and his parents were very cautious about the different community youth clubs he joined. Voluntarism was a part of his commitment, and he and his colleagues cleaned and painted pedestrian crossings and parks. He fondly recalls his mother reminding him that “the devil finds work for idle hands,” so he kept busy by participating in positive activities.

 

A proud graduate of the Papine High and Mona High Schools, Roberto, after many hours of studying, worked to fulfill his career dream, and gained acceptance to the Caribbean Aviation Training Centre. This was a very costly programme, and after two and a half years of sacrifice and long hours of studying, he finally graduated in 2009 as a licensed private pilot.

 

Roberto Nicholas Moreland, the members of the Governor-General’s Achievement Award Committee of Kingston are proud to have selected you as a worthy recipient of the Governor-General’s Youth Award of Excellence for the parish of Kingston, in the year 2009.

 

Since 1991 the GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS has annually identified fourteen persons, one from each parish, who have from modest social and economic circumstances uplifted themselves and shown substantial social and economic upward improvement.  These persons must have never received a national award and must be actively involved in community activities.   Persons are nominated by their communities. Under this scheme The Governor General’s Youth Award for Excellence, an initiative of  His Excellency, The Hon. Kenneth Hall, was first presented in 2006 also been presented in recognition of excellence among Jamaican youths. Sponsored by The Gleaner Company, Jamaica National Building Society, Victoria Mutual Building Society and the Building Societies association of Jamaica the programmes continue to inspire achievement at all levels of national activity.