Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — Fifty young persons will be honored at the third annual GIFTED Royalty Awards Ceremony to be held on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017 at the Belair Community Centre. Nominations for the awards were received from seven high schools for the students they wished to recognize for their outstanding performance in each of five categories. The participating high schools are: St. Dominic High School, Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy PSVE, MAC Comprehensive Secondary, St. Maarten Academy – Academic Section, Sundial School and Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performance Arts.
The GIFTED Royalty Awards are aimed at turning the spotlight on the positive things that the youth in our community are doing. The categories for awards are: Academics, Athletics, Community Service, Expressive Arts, and Leadership. This year’s nominees have been selected by their respective high schools as someone between the ages of 13 and 20 who has been making a positive impact in that sphere of expertise. GIFTED’s WorldChangers slogan is “Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever you do, you change the world.”
The Worldchangers being recognized this summer are as follows per category. For Young King of Academics are Radjeev Rampersad, David Beek, Senlly Samuel, Esner Ilceus, Jaevy Beggs, and Kai Piscione. The nominees for Young Queen of Academics are Flor Carty, Melanie Felix-Polanco, Naomi Jankee, Amarykecia Busby, Jhohana Richardson, and Chanel A. Almonte de los Santos.
In the category of Young King of Athletics are Rayouri Fleming, Adonijah Romney, Darvin Valerie, Vern T. Graham, and Michele Palella. Their counterparts nominated for Young Queen of Athletics are Aichell Peters, Angelina Percy, Whitney Walsh, and Princess Z. Priest. The nominees for Young King of Community Service are Chris Sargeant, James Brooks, Brian Kook, Kyron Mussen, and Shawn Peterson. The Young Queen of Community Service nominees are Jahnilla Priest, Gabrielle Andre, Karly Jacob, Sheena Generlette, Loudahlia T. K. Brill, and Karina Wadhwani.
In the category of Expressive Arts are for Young Kings – Densley Arrindell, Miguel Morgan, Manukiell Edwards, Shamar Luckson, and Ray-Angel C. A. Simon. The Young Queen of Expressive Arts nominees are Nuriska Edward, Naomi Warsop, Dorothy James, Xochiquetzal Gonzalez-Toro, and Daniella Simmons. In the category of Leadership, the nominees for Young King are James Samuel, Jean Philip Pierre Louis, Caleb Carter, and Elston Harregan. The nominees for Young Queen are Genora Jankee, Jodian McDonald, Sianta Maria, and Georgia Nelson. The foundation has published photos and profile descriptions of the nominees on their Facebook page for the public’s viewing and support.
Last year, G.I.F.T.E.D. celebrated fifty-two young persons across the five categories. Five Young Kings and five Young Queens were awarded with additional prizes and due recognition. G.I.F.T.E.D. means “Going In. Finding Truth. Enlightening Darkness.” The foundation seeks to impact the youth of St. Maarten and the region through providing positive influential social enhancement through music and other platforms by networking with local, regional and international partners. For more information, visit and like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GIFTEDLIGHT.
