By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
(Basseterre, St. Kitts)”Two students from the Irish Town Primary School were awarded for their contributions to the 39th World School Children’s Art Exhibition held in Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan), from September 6-25. Kayla Williams and Levon Liburd received awards for their art work at a handing over ceremony at the Irish Town Primary School organized by the Embassy of Taiwan and the Ministry of Education and Youth. Williams, whose art piece was entitled “Snail” received a bronze certificate for third place while Liburd received a certificate for fourth place. Twenty pieces of art were submitted from St. Kitts and Nevis among 800 pieces from 56 countries. Students from the Federation between the ages of 6 -15 were invited by the Government of Taiwan to participate in the art exhibition. His Excellency, Taiwanese Ambassador Rong-chuan Wu, Chief Education Officer, Mr. Patrick Welcome, Principal of Irish Town Primary School, Mr. Elvis Charles, representatives of the Taiwanese Embassy, Coordinator of Community Achievers Project, Victoria Baucom, students, and staff were on hand to witness the ceremony. Mr. Welcome, in his opening remarks lauded the Irish Town Primary School for their achievement and growth and said that the school continued to excel under the leadership of Mr. Elvis Charles. The achievement of the two awardees from the school was a significant one because the school has been recognized internationally, Mr. Welcome said. Ambassador Wu said that two things that Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis have in common are that they are mountainous and that parents are very concerned about their children’s education. To date, 125 primary school students have benefitted from scholarships granted by the Government of Taiwan. Presently, 23 students from the Federation are studying in Taiwan on Taiwanese scholarships. Ambassador Wu expressed a desire to bring the Rotary Clubs from St. Kitts and Nevis and Taiwan together for a student exchange program. The exhibition was designed to encourage and forge mutual friendships among the younger generation throughout the world through art exchanges, First Secretary of the Taiwanese Consulate, Elaine Chen said. A 30-minute presentation of Taiwan was shown to those gathered.
