PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – During the reception on the occasion of the new Parliamentary Year, a youth is awarded the President of Parliament Award for exemplary behavior, leadership skills as well as their contribution to the community. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams announced Mr. Isaiah Peterson as the recipient of the President of Parliament Award 2024.
Mr. Peterson received this recognition for demonstrating outstanding leadership skills and a deep commitment to community and service. Mr. Peterson has also excelled academically, in his soft skills and showed entrepreneurial interest.
In the past years, he has led projects to bring joy and support to foster children on the island, assisted in the Sint Maarten Lions Club eyesight initiatives in the community, and he has led the Sint Maarten Leo Club’s “Tis the Season” Christmas project during his tenure as the Leo’s President.
Mr. Peterson also showed his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to tackling Sint Maarten’s landfill situation by participating in the National Youth Pitch 2022 with his team and their business concept, Upcycle. The concept proposed a company dedicated to collecting solid waste, such as plastic, cleaning and separating it, and transforming it into reusable materials for manufacturing processes.
His leadership also extended to being the captain of the Sint Maarten National Debate Team at the 2024 Leeward Island Debate Competition in St. Kitts and Nevis and encouraging his peers to get involved in their school debate clubs thereby promoting soft skills development and elevating debating on the island. Mr. Peterson is also actively involved in swimming.
Mr. Isaiah Peterson accompanied by his parents were present during the reception of the Opening of the Parliamentary Year 2024-2025 to receive the award. He proudly accepted his award with an acceptance speech during which he expressed his gratitude for being awarded this year’s President of Parliament Award.
The nomination application was submitted by Ms. Lateen Clark, President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, who was also present at the reception to witness the ceremony.
The Parliament of Sint Maarten encourages all youth in Sint Maarten to continue to show exemplary leadership skills and contribute to our community.
