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The Valley, Anguilla – The prize giving ceremony for the annual James Ronald Webster Essay Writing Competition was held on Monday 10th March 2025 at 9AM at the Teachers’ Resource Centre. Sponsored by the family of the man known in Anguilla as the Father of the Nation, the J. Ronald Webster Essay Competition was launched in 2021 and is now in its fourth year. The ceremony was attended by the Honourable Premier, Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge, the Honourable Minister of Social Development, Education, Library, Youth and Culture, Mrs Shellya Rogers Webster, Honourable Elected Member and Ministerial Assistant Sports Youth and Culture, Mr Jeison Bryan, the winners of the competition, their parents, teachers, family of James Ronald Webster and education officials. The Chair of the prize-giving ceremony was Mrs Rita Celestine Carty, Education Officer Human Resources and Professional Development, who invited the Premier and Minister to bring remarks.
The Honourable Premier reflected on the contributions of Mr James Ronald Webster and noted that Mr Webster’s leadership and commitment helped establish Anguilla’s fundamental right to self-determination and political autonomy. Therefore, the competition not only honoured the Father of the Nation but also presented an opportunity for Anguilla’s youth to engage with their history, culture and the social and political ideas foundational to the Anguillian identity.
The Honourable Minister of Education also emphasised Mr Webster’s role in laying the foundation which continued to present opportunities for young Anguillians development, education and a chance to contribute to their island home. The Minister then went on to say, “as relates to the essay competition, I think it is incredibly important…that we continue to have essay writing competitions.
In a social media age where everything is about quick writing…it is extremely important for our students to understand…the value of being able to effectively communicate in writing.” The theme for this year’s competition was, ‘Mr James Ronald Webster: Shaping Anguilla’s Past, Present and Future.’ All grade 5 and 6 primary school students in Anguilla are eligible to enter. However, this year, the winners of the J. Ronald Webster Essay Competition all came from the Orealia Kelly Primary School. They were Miss Zahria Niles (Grade 5), in first place, Miss Annarella Marcelino (Grade 5) in second place and Master Kevin Bryan (Grade 6) in third. Each received a plaque, a certificate and a cash prize. The first prizewinner was asked to read her essay, which she did with aplomb given that she had not known it would be required of her.
The Department of Education administers the essay competition on behalf of the sponsors and recruits the judges. Mr Michael ‘Dumpa’ Martin and Mr Perry Hughes treated the gathering to music. The prize giving process was managed by Curriculum Officer Language, Ms Vanessa Hobson, the Premier, the Minister of Education and Mrs Yvonne Webster Pryce, stepdaughter of Mr James Ronald Webster. Other members of the James Ronald Webster family participated in the ceremony in various ways; Mrs Valerie Thompson, Mr J. Ronald Webster’s stepdaughter, performed the prayer. Mrs Paloma Reece, his daughter, read the scripture, and Dr Timothy Hodge, his nephew, gave closing remarks reminding the group that 2026 would be the centennial of the birth of the Father of the Nation.