Lori-Ann Haye (left) and Kordell Clarke (right) - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Eleven Jamaicans in the county of Surrey were recognised for being local heroes with the work they have done in their professional lives and their communities at the Governor General Achievement awards ceremony held at Morant Villas in St Thomas on Thursday.
The ceremony, which was launched in 1992, honours Jamaicans from modest social and economic circumstances, who have turned their lives around, bringing their communities along with them. Over 200 persons have been awarded for their efforts since the inception of the award.
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen congratulated the awardees in his presentation, describing them as individuals who work "tirelessly" with an "appreciation for hard work".
The group of 11, which comprised youths and adult recipients, hailed from the parishes of St Andrew, Kingston, Portland and St Thomas.
giving back
"Among the 11 recipients to be recognised today are individuals who continue to work tirelessly to help students and families in their communities and at the schools from whence they came. It is their way of 'giving back' to a society that helped to foster within them an appreciation for hard work and a desire to achieve," said Sir Patrick.
The governor general encouraged the awardees to continue to be agents of change in their communities and country.
"Your contribution through community development, homework-assistance programme, sports among other activities is indeed significant, and will serve to forge national consensus and project a self-reliant and self-confident Jamaica," he said.
The ceremony for Surrey was the final of the three counties.
The 'heroes' awarded were:
Dr Odelley Henry, , Winston Wright, Herman Reid, Rev Dr Marion Elizabeth Sutton and Rohan Bryan.
The GG's youth awards went to:
Roberto Moreland, Kandi-Lee Crook Smith, Kordell Clarke, Adli Lewis and Jenzeel Thompson
Rohan Bryan (left) and Herman Reid (right).
Roberto Moreland (left) and Winston George Wright (right).
Dr Odelley L.Henry (left) and Jenzeel Keneisha Thompson (right).
Kandi-Lee Crook Smith (left) and Adli Lewis (right).
Elizabeth Sutton