Alison and Michael Brooks were filled with joy as their daughter, Ashleigh, was named winner of the inaugural Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Child Month Essay Competition, held recently at the JIS Television studio, Arnold Road, Kingston.

Their reactions mirrored pride, relief and happiness that Ashleigh, a grade-three student of Mona Preparatory School, made it from among the six finalists, including high school students.

The competition served to showcase and reward the best essay written by students from primary, preparatory and high schools, outlining ways of preserving and protecting the environment and children. It was held under the theme 'Preserve the Environment, Protect Our Children', and formed part of activities observing Child Month 2009.

Protecting the environment

Ashleigh, in giving a synopsis of her entry, stated the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling in preserving and protecting the environment.

"Reduce means to make less garbage. Reuse means you can use things like clothes again. Recycle means to take garbage and make something new," she explained.

"When we preserve the environment, we protect it. Keeping our surroundings clean helps to keep children safe and healthy. We have to keep our environment clean, so that children do not get sick from germs in the garbage," she said.

Replant trees

She also urged persons to replant trees whenever they are cut down, as they assist in providing food, protection and homes for birds and mammals, as well as clean air for children to breathe.

These sentiments were echoed by the other finalists, who encouraged individuals to be mindful of the environment and devise creative ways of protecting and preserving it.

Acting manager at JIS-TV, Shelly-Ann Harris, said the quality of the essays was excellent, making it very difficult to select a winner. She explained that entrants were graded for grammar, content, cohesion, structure, clarity and adherence to the rules, among other criteria.

Each finalist was rewarded with JIS limited edition posters and books. The winner, who received a certificate, will also co-host the JIS's 'Jamaica Magazine' feature on a date to be decided.

The finalists

The finalists were Dea Thomas and Denise Williams from Edwin Allen High School, Clarendon; Stephen Beep and Katelyn Chai from Mona Preparatory School, St Andrew; and Jodian Parchment from Old Harbour Bay Primary School, St Catherine.

- JIS