(L-R) Suzette and Aliyah Sampson, Principal Janice Whittaker-Richards and Jasmine Parris

Nevis school librarians, in partnership with the Nevis Library Service and the Department of Education, held their first-ever FirstCaribbean Family Book Feud on Saturday, June 5, at The Occasions Centre in Pinney’s Estate.

The event took place under the theme, “Developing Partnerships with Families and Community through Children’s Literacy.”

Sonita Daniel, Director of Library Services, and David Duesbury, Corporate Manager for FirstCaribbean International Bank, both provided remarks to the assembled audience.
Palsy Wilkin, Education Officer Responsible for Reading, also addressed attendees, informing that language is the foundation for reading, beginning when a child first hears spoken words.

“Parents, you are your children’s first teachers. Reading with your children helps them to develop special feelings that come from the closeness which forms that bond between you and your children,” she said.

“It helps them to develop a lifelong love for reading and writing, and they read better at school.”

Wilkin also noted that family literacy ensures that “the cycle of learning” continues and that the advantages “span generations.” She further added that children have “fragile personalities which must be protected at all costs.”

Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry, said that he was pleased to see the many persons who came out to witness the FirstCaribbean Family Book Feud.

He highlighted the fact that father/son teams were dominant, pointing out that five of the nine participating students were boys, and that five of the nine parents were fathers. He specially congratulated the fathers for “taking up the challenge” in being part of the Feud.

“This is a time of bonding and fun,” said Premier Parry. He referred to the objectives set by the event organizers: to encourage and strengthen family ties; cultivate a reading environment in the home; develop a love and appreciation for reading and books; create a social event where the school, home, and community can work together; and encourage families to spend more time together.

Moderator Rohan Isles introduced the families prior to the beginning of the activites.
The parent/child teams representing each school were as follows:

Violet O. J. Nicholls – Janice and Rol-J Williams
St. Thomas’ – Chesley Davis and Cheslin Maloney
Lyn Jeffers – Tanmay and Tarana Kacker
Charlestown – James and Jarette Greene
Belle Vue International – Herman and Recardoe Rodriguez
Ivor Walters – Percival and Naomi Thompson
Elizabeth Pemberton – Dahlia and Desimba Prentice
Joycelyn Liburd – Terez and Tyreke Dore
St. James’ – Suzette and Aliyah Sampson

Nine of the island’s 10 primary schools participated in the event; Maude Crosse Preparatory was the only one not represented.

Six categories, which were carried out in separate rounds, were completed: Folk and Fairy Tale, Nevisian History, Fiction, Classical Literature, Science, and Nursery Rhymes. Each team had material relative to all categories except Nursery Rhymes, thus it was dubbed “the unseen round.”

After each round’s completion, audience members were asked trivia questions by Project Officer Marva Paris, who also awarded Sandra Stanley with a round-trip to St. Kitts on the Sea Bridge because Stanley and her daughter were the first family to arrive at the event.

Adults and children who answered correctly won prizes, which included horseback riding, lunch for two, and $50 worth of gasoline.

The venue was packed, providing a kaleidoscopic view within the centre. A very ardent audience gave lively cheers for the teams throughout the night, while buying light snacks and drinks from the bar to keep themselves energized.

During the event, Paris acknowledged persons who played any role in World War II for Nevis. Godfrey David and Reuben Walters were given tokens. Claude Guishard and Percy Williams were absent, while Kenrick Liburd was understood to be off island.

The Sampson family emerged as the winners of the event. The official results were:

Sampson – 55
Greene – 50
Dore – 45
Thompson – 35
Williams – 35
Rodriguez – 35
Davis – 30
Prentice – 25
Kacker – 20

The first, second, and third place winners were awarded night retreats at Mount Nevis Hotel, Nisbett’s Plantation, and the Reviera’s House, respectively. All children received certificates, a participant’s trophy, and a Junior Savers accounts at FirstCaribbean International Bank, among other items.

The Sampsons, in a brief interview, said that they felt great about winning the Feud.
“We are proud to be the winner,” the elder Sampson said.

The mother and daughter prepared for the event together, and were proud of their teamwork. Suzette noted that her daughter loves to read, and always finds time to enjoy her books. Young Sampson is in grade three; children participants had to be from grades three to six.

Sampson knew that her daughter was capable of doing justice in the Feud but was concerned about their preparation time. She relayed that it was Tuesday, May 25, when they began readying themselves for the Feud, which was then slated for Saturday, May 29.

The mom from the winning team saw the event not as a competition but as a means to show parents that they need to work with their children.

Project Officer Paris told The Observer that she felt her hard work did not go in vain, and was glad that everybody enjoyed the event.

“This was the main goal, so that families can come together, socialize and have fun,” she said. “Everyone left here and felt that they were a winner, even though we had a winner.”

She informed that the families all hailed the event, eagerly anticipating next year’s Feud, as it will be an annual event. Also noted was the fact that the Feud was intended to bring about an increase in the amount of time that families spend reading together.
Paris was satisfied with the overwhelming public attendance, and expressed confidence in seeing a larger crowd in 2011.

The Family Book Feud is a project of FirstCaribbean’s Adopt-A-Cause Programme. Jasmine Parris, Nevis Branch Manager of the bank, told this media house that the programme was introduced in Nevis in 2004, and that it has two aims: nurturing communities with the provision of sponsorship and contribution; and creating an environment of volunteerism teamwork amongst the bank staff and community.

Parris stated that the entire bank staff was present, and that they all worked together as a team in providing assistance towards the preparation and execution of the event.
Charlestown Primary was the first school to be benefit from the programme in 2004. Since then, other projects have been successfully undertaken, such as painting the classrooms at Ivor Walters Primary.

According to Parris, the Adopt-A-Cause Programme shows that FirstCaribbean has a “genuine interest” in the community and is serious in responding to their needs in tangible ways.

A message from Clinton Weekes, from The Nevis Association of South Florida, a sponsor, was read.

“With this humble contribution (backpacks and school supplies for participants), The Nevis Association of South Florida, in support of advancing education, and youth development, wishes to congratulate the organizers, students and parents for their commitment in making the FirstCaribbean Family Book Feud a reality, and pledges continued support in future endeavours,” it said.

Local sponsors of the event included Pinney’s Service Station, Digicel, Karibhana Trading Ltd., Pemberton’s, Erm’s Fancy Store, LIME, Best Buy, Choice FM, Dr. James Stewart, Bargain House, TDC, VON Radio, Super Foods and Nevis Bakery.