By John Denny Observer Reporter
(Occasions, Nevis) ” Grooming today’s youth for tomorrows jobs on Nevis, the Ministry of Tourism awarded many nominees from various schools around the island for essays and ideas promoting Nevis” number one industry: tourism. The keynote speaker at the Dec. 8 function at Occasions, Mrs. Cavelle Jeffers, is a taxi driver. She cut to the chase addressing to the crowd of youths about her role in tourism and what it meant to her. “The most exciting thing about my job is the money,” she said. This drew laughs from the crowd, but she went on to tell audience of how fulfilling her role as a tour guide on a beautiful and historic tropical island was. In two or three hours, Mrs. Jeffers said she could give a good historical tour of Nevis and send tourist home feeling like they had learned something about her home. “Get to know your history. That is what our visitors want to learn,” she said. Even if what the visitors want to see isn’t what she prefers, she doesn’t mind, even when it comes to the number one pest of Nevis: monkeys. “People like to see the monkeys,” said Mrs. Jeffers. “I don’t like monkeys. The monkeys and I share a mutual hatred, but that is what some come here to see, so I take them where the monkeys are.” She reassured the youths that employment in the service industry does not mean they could not have their own mind. “It is ok to disagree, but don’t be disagreeable,” she said. “There is a difference. No one wants to be around someone who is disagreeable, but you are entitled to have your own opinion.” Being honest in dealing with customers is a very important aspect of the tourism industry, she said. “Never take advantage of someone. We want our visitors to come back and to tell their friends to come here,” said Mrs. Jeffers. “If we get a reputation for being dishonest to the tourists then people will not want to come here and that affects everyone.” Among many points she made at the luncheon, learning to speak proper English well was one thing most important to marketing oneself in the tourism sector. Another major point was self-improvement. “Always challenge your self to be better,” she said. Premier Joseph Parry spoke to youths mentioning that hard work and dedication would take them far, but the blight of crime would ultimately diminish the industry of tourism on Nevis. “Tourism is so important to us and the rest of the world,” he said. “This is our most important resource and you are our future. We must look after this resource and that comes from having the right attitude. It takes a willingness to serve ” and serve with a smile. Hard work may not seem that attractive, but hard work pays.” The Premier said crime could be the downfall of Nevis, if not abated. He encouraged the youths in the audience to shun criminal activity, discourage it in their peer group and to report criminal activity to the police to help stem this rising tide. “If you want to destroy Nevis” If you want to become beggars in other parts of the world because no one wants to come here, all we have to do is continue on this path of crime,” Parry said. The following students were awarded at the luncheon: Ivor Walters Primary; Nicolai Williams Gingerland Primary; Kelsia Liburd, Cordiesere Walters, Leandre Dyer, Vanel Bailey, Derez Mortion, Tristal Perkins, Tyra Newton, Acaidieon Tyson, Zahren Claxton. Charlestown Primary; Kerese Elliott, Kianna Fraiser, Alan Broadbelt, Christina Ram, Renika Daniel. St. John’s Primary; Keelia English, Akiana Skelton, Tafari Byron, Savita Tilackdharry, Fazeena Persaud, Caresia Wilkinson, Kiemarley Stanley. Maude Crosse; Nekhalia Tyson. St. Thomas Primary; Kareema Wilkinson, Arnile Francis, Yvado Simmons. Lyn Jeffers Primary; Ellen Alice Terry, Brianna Brantley, Jessica Amory, Siobahan Petre-Mears, Kate Molle, Jahleel Kelly, Dues, Chantel Rigby, Dina Hansen, Renika Daniel, Herbert Pollard, Sash Lloyd, Rachel Yearwood, Federick James Amory, Stephan Murell. Special Education Unit; Nick Dias, Lettisha Davis. VOJN Primary; Edion Gumbs, Brendon Claxton. St. James Primary;Jenika Huggins, Raciato Jeffers, Kurtis Huggins. Charlestown Secondary; Serena Clarke, Uta Trish Taylor, I-Shana Broadbelt, Dilon Warner, Michelle McGrath, J”Rose Daniel, Shelisia Glasford. Gingerland Secondary; Dylan Browne, Kendra Pemberton, Dylan Grant, Krystal Lescott. Lyn Jeffers Secondary; Trifon T. Simmons, Herbert Pollard, Sasha Lloyd, Rachel Yearwood, Federick Amory.
