US Embassy and BNDC's Youth Express Anti Drug Awareness Contest Showcases Creative Talents of Bahamian Youth

March 28, 2012

Winner of the rap competition, Ms Chine’ Selena Bastian, posting her entry on YouTube. (Photo YouTube)

In observance of National Drug Council Month, the United States Embassy in partnership with the Bahamas National Drug Council (BNDC)cosponsored the first “Youth Express” Essay, Rap and Poetry Contest. The overall response was a great success with dynamic and creative entries from students throughout New Providence and the Family Islands.  The objective of the innovative contest was to encourage students, ages 12-14, to consider the harmful impact of illegal drugs, reflect on how they can resist negative peer pressure and act as leaders against drugs in their community.

The submissions were judged on several criteria including the strength of narrative, creativity, technical execution, and applicability to the theme.  The judges included the U.S. Embassy’s Narcotics Affairs Officer, David Jea and Public Affairs Officer Erica Thibault, BNDC Administrator, Dr. Bridgette Rolle, Nikita Shiel-Rolle of the Young Marine Explorers and Bahamian Recording Artist and Songwriter Terneille Burrows, better known as “Ta Da”.   

The winners will participate in a National Summer Youth Leadership Camp and will be given a unique opportunity to attend a National Geographic’s Photo Camp at the Island School in Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas this fall.  The finalists will also receive digital cameras and be featured in The Bahamas’ National Drug Demand Reduction Campaign, under the theme “Drugs and Crime are a Waste of Time”.

Mr. Jea noted that the U.S. Embassy is pleased with its ongoing partnerships with BNDC and National Anti-Drug Secretariat focused on reducing the demand for illegal drugs and fostering the development of young leaders throughout The Bahamas. 

“We were proud to a part of this effort because it takes a continued, combined effort by diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, and community leaders to achieve success in the fight against drugs”, said Mr. Jea.  “This contest provided young people with a unique opportunity to showcase their creative talents in a positive way and serve as leaders against drugs in their community.”

BNDC Administrator Dr. Bridgette Rolle noted that despite being the first of its kind for the Council, this Internet-driven competition netted fantastic feedback from students throughout The Bahamas.

“Our objectives were exceeded as it was determined that those that participated not only grasped the ethos of the competition, but reaffirmed our belief that this nation is not lost when it comes to talented young people,” said Dr. Rolle. 

The thirty two winners of the first “Youth Express” Essay, Rap and Poetry Contest are:

Joanna Evans - Bishop Michael Eldon High

Meres Miller - CH Reeves Junior High

Destiny Cooper - Grand Bahama Catholic High

Chine' Selena Bastian – Grand Bahama Catholic High

Matthew Farquharson - Bishop Michael Eldon High

Kennedi Mallory - Sunland Baptist Academy

L'leah Laing - Bishop Michael Eldon High

Dante Wilkinson - Queen's College

Juwan Rolle - Farmer's Cay

Tanavia Gilbert - St. Thomas More Catholic

Nandkumar Jagroo - Farmer's Cay All Age

Keith Stubbs - Kingsway Academy

Kenvon Sands - Crooked Island

Naomi Farrington - Eight Mile Rock High

Uriya Bethel - Temple Christian High

Versace Nicolls - Grand Bahama Catholic High

Deja Brown - St. Paul's Methodist College

Alexandria Pelecanos - Grand Bahama Catholic

Tamara Sawyer - Grand Bahama Catholic High

Jordan Turnquest - L.W. Young Junior High

Matayo Burrows - St. Paul's Methodist College

Paige Rolle - Sunland Baptist Academy

Dejon Jones - Temple Christian High

Dazanae Jones - St. Georges High

Quinton Jones - San Salvador High

Patrinique Adderley - Preston Albury

Dino Darville - Farmer's Cay

Zakiya Rolle - Temple Christian High

Cenique Johnson - Central Andros High

Charleigha Knowles – Grand Bahama Catholic

Maryann Uba - Temple Christian High

Brandyt Albury-Home Schooled

To view the top three submissions in the rap, poetry and essay categories, visit the U.S. Embassy’s website, http://nassau.usembassy.gov, US Embassy Nassau’s Facebook Page or the Bahamas National Drug Council’s website http://www.bahamasndc.org.