Fourteen young persons were recognised as the Territory’s newest ambassadors and were presented with Emerging Fellows Awards at a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education and Culture yesterday.

The fourteen recipients are Adrian Taylor, Kadeem Smith, Jackisha Rigobert, Johanna Gibson, Kaveh Penn, Terrell Harrigan, Kosay Jabre, Akeem Breadshaw, Sylvanna Charles, Hunter Christopher, Izariah Frett, Sapphire Flax- Clarke, Rebecca Nocholds and Keanu George.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, stated in remarks at the ceremony that his Government remains committed to providing the Territory’s youth with the necessary developmental opportunities so that they can be on par with the rest of the world.

He said that the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows Award opens a window of opportunity for young people to enhance their skills and develop their craft through training, exposure and mentorship.

 “Young people, this training means that you can begin to prepare for your career from now. It is never too early to start thinking about what you want to do, and take your rightful place in our workforce,” Premier Smith said.

The Premier added, this exposure means that there will be no limits to the students’ creativity and ability to become brilliant thinkers and doers.

Meanwhile, Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, congratulated the 2015 awardees and advised them that they are now ambassadors for the Territory.

Minister Walwyn said, “As you meet new instructors, mentors and friends this summer, be reminded that you are young scholars, athletes and artists, but you are also ambassadors for the Virgin Islands. We expect that you will continue in the same light as past fellows and represent the Virgin Islands well.”

The Minister for Education added that as the 2015 Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows are celebrated, he is hoping that the Government’s investments in the youth will mature as it continues to build young people to face the challenges of the future.

The 2015 Emerging Fellows Award is a grant for youth between ages 10 and 20 who demonstrate exceptional qualities in sports, academics or arts. It will fund enrichment programmes held during the summer of 2015.