Vincentian Students Shine in Regional Essay and Poster Competition

From left: Jennaya Bonadie, Lendre Pemberton and Malachi Simmon. These images were obtained from the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development’s Facebook page.

By S.Browne. Updated 5:56 p.m., Thursday, January 8, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Three Vincentian students delivered strong performances in a regional essay and poster competition, earning placements in the 2025 Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) contests.

The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development reported that in the Senior Division of the FCCA Essay Competition, Jennaya Bonadie of the St. Vincent Girls’ High School placed third. Her submission demonstrated analytical ability, originality and a strong grasp of the competition theme, “If I were a cruise passenger, what would I like to see or do in my country?”

In the Junior Division of the FCCA Essay Competition, Lendre Pemberton of the St. Vincent Grammar School also secured third place. According to the Ministry, his essay reflected thoughtful expression and a clear understanding of the theme.

Meanwhile, Malachi Simmons of the Bequia Anglican Primary School placed third in the Junior Division of the FCCA Poster Competition. His work was recognised for its creativity, visual clarity and effective communication of key messages aligned with the theme, “How to Protect the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities.”

In recognition of their achievements, the FCCA will award each student a touchscreen device. The respective schools, St. Vincent Girls’ High School, St. Vincent Grammar School and Bequia Anglican Primary School, will each receive US$1,000 in support of their educational programmes. The awards will be formally presented to the destination’s official representative during Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, scheduled for April.

The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development extended congratulations to the students, their parents, teachers and school administrations, noting that the achievements underscore the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and regional partners in fostering academic and creative excellence among young people.

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