Photos: Father Of Year Essay Contest Winners
The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc held the fourth Father of the Year Essay competition, which honoured eight fathers.
A Government spokesperson said, “Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 21, and to celebrate fathers and all they do for their children, Primary 5 and Primary 6 students in the Bermuda Public School System shared why their father should be Father of the Year in an essay competition.
“The Ministry of Education in partnership with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, sponsored the Minister of Education’s fourth annual Father of the Year Essay competition which honoured eight fathers.”
The Minister of Education Diallo Rabain, expressed, “I want to thank all the P5 and P6 students that submitted essays this year. This competition was created to inspire children to recognise the significant role fathers have in their lives. It is heartwarming that for the fourth year we are continuing to receive many submissions, and the quality of the essays truly highlight the important role of fathers.”
“We asked students to share their thoughts of love and appreciation in a handwritten essay describing why they felt their father was deserving of the recognition.
“One of the winners, Jaaziah Astwood, P5 Central Zone Winner at West Pembroke Primary, captured the essence of this competition perfectly when he quoted, “A father said to his son, “Be careful where you walk.” The son responded, “You be careful; I walk in your footsteps.”
Minister Rabain added, “Congratulations to both the winners and their fathers; I am sure this Father’s Day will be that much more special because of this contest.”
“Winners were chosen across the eastern, central, and western school zones with an overall winner in each year group. The prize for the overall winners is a Samsung Tablet and for zonal winners is a Google Chromebook.”
“We want to thank the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the Epsilon Theta Lambda Chapter, for helping to provide prizes for this competition. We also want to thank Red Laser for donating a Samsung Tablet and offering a discount on all Tablets. Both organizations are a true example of community support, and we appreciate your graciousness.”
The winners of the essay competition were as follows:
- Overall Winner Primary 5 – Amariah Kirkos – Harrington Sound Primary
- Overall Winner Primary 6 – Tarryn Matthie – St. George’s Preparatory
- Eastern Zone P5 Winner – Nala Outerbridge – East End Primary
- Eastern Zone P6 Winner – Erynn Paynter – Harrington Sound Primary
- Central Zone P5 Winner – Jaaziah Astwood – West Pembroke Primary
- Central Zone P6 Winner – Ann Bolyn [Summer] Maye – West Pembroke Primary
- Western Zone P5 Winner – Dunstan DeSa – Purvis Primary
- Western Zone P6 Winner – Shale Nisbett – Dalton E Tucker Primary
Primary 5 Overall Winner Amariah Kirkos said, “My baba [Father] is very encouraging. I have a tendency to quit and when I want to stop doing something, he encourages me to keep going.”
Primary 6 Overall Winner Tarryn Matthie said, “I think my dad, Harry Matthie, should be recognized for being a great father because he respects, loves, cares for, and supports me every day. My dad supports me with every fiber in his body.”
Primary 5 Eastern Zone Winner Nala Outerbridge said, “Another reason my dad is the best dad ever is because he believes in me. When I told him that I wanted to become a doctor, he told me that he believes in me and that I will be a good doctor.”
Primary 6 Western Zone Winner Shale Nisbett said, “He calls me every day to see how I am doing. Even if he is working, busy, on vacation, or just waking up from a nap, he always has time for me.”
Primary 5 Central Zone Winner Jaaziah Astwood said, “During a very hard time for my family, I admire how my father was able to manage work, keep the house clean, and still meet all of our family’s needs. I love my father with all of my heart and could never see myself without him. I always thought my father was a hero, but now I see him as a superhero.”
