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| Big Hitter by Andre C. Fernandez Guynaese Iningrant Valedictorian by Felicia Persaud All in the Family Gospel Singer, Nine, Enchants Montreal Stop Linked Center's Past to His Future Standing Out, Fitting In Blindness Not A deterrence... Developing Countries Struggle to pay for Education Dominican Ranstar Luke to Attend Aviation Camp Antiguan Baby Undergoes Successfull Brain Surgery Guyanese Lass Undergoes Successfull heart Surgery Teen turns dream to reality Child prostitution widespread in Jamaica Locks of Love by Matie Singh Haitian student aiming for Duke ... by Elizabeth Wendt Khadian Thomas is academically gifted Lecture series honores student's ability to maintain ... The State of the American Child by Annan Boodram Resources for College by Annan Boodram Laura Khillawan is Making History by Felicia Persaud Nevisan Mickia Mills Wins Conde Nast .. by Annan Boodram Talking Dirty in School by Dr. Warren Throckmorton |
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Jamelia Harris, from Morvant, is a graduate of Bishop Anstey High School in Port of Spain, and was awarded the President's Medal for Higher Secondary Education (Open). Harris was one of the two most outstanding students at the Cambridge Advanced Level. The other was Akash Maharaj, whose brother was also awarded the President's Medal in the past. Yesterday, the proud young woman said her second award came as a surprise. The first national award was for her outstanding performance at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), in 2005, when she attended the Success Laventille Composite School. "The competition is stiff, we have a lot of smart people in Trinidad," she said yesterday after collecting her award at President's House, St Ann's. Harris told the Express that focus and commitment had seen her this far, especially in light of the negatives surrounding her hometown. "One thing I always say is you need to re-channel the negative vibes that you get from everybody else," she said. "Pessimistic people motivate me, because I don't like anyone telling me you can't do something or you not going to make it. I use that and it is a sort of incentive for me to do well and prove them wrong. "I wish everybody else could be like that and use that negative vibe to help drive themselves to do well. Also, you have to understand what you have and not compare yourself to other people. Accept your situation and work with what you have." Harris is taking a short break before heading to Southampton, England, to pursue further studies in economic and actuarial sciences. President George Maxwell Richards, who delivered remarks at the function, said there is a need for a universal pre-school system if the country is to inculcate sound learning habits in the youth at an early age. (See other story) "I am very pleased to note that this latter (universal pre-school system) is already well in train and I have doubt in time, the full effects of a well-organised system will be felt throughout the country. The introduction of pre-school education is a most progressive step," he said. Richards highlighted the fact that this country's primary and secondary school system was the envy of the entire Caribbean.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening of a one-day workshop on "The Traumatized Child" held as part of National Child Protection Month, Butler-Turner said child abuse is "very real" in The Bahamas. Citing child abuse statistics for 2007 that were compiled by the Children and Family Services Division of the Department of Social Services, Butler-Turner said there were almost 1,600 cases of child abuse reported in The Bahamas. Child neglect was the leading form of abuse with 672 reported cases, followed by physical abuse (356), child sexual abuse (286), care and protection (159), abandonment (24), incest (21), verbal/emotional abuse (20) and others at 44 for a total of 1,582 cases. Butler-Turner said the situation becomes even more vexing "when one realises that only one-third of the cases of child abuse are reported." "Child abuse can destroy the very soul of a child and child sexual abuse is probably one of the best kept secrets," Butler-Turner said. "Every day there is one child who experiences one of the many forms of abuses (while) many children suffer repeated physical abuse at the hands of their parents or guardians under the guise of discipline. "Educating our children and adults on the various forms of abuse is critical (as) too often, an abused child is not brought to the authorities when they disclose that they have been violated to a family member." Butler-Turner said the National Child Abuse Protocol will ensure that there is an effective coordination and partnership process that will include caregivers and service users. "We must not allow any child to fall through the cracks," Butler-Turner said. "Our network must be cohesive. We must be sensitive to the uniqueness of each individual case. We must further ensure that all children have access to the proper treatment and not allow parents or guardians to disregard the necessity of treatment following trauma." Butler-Turner said there is a tendency for parents or guardians to underestimate the need for counseling which, she said, is a key component in the recovery of abused or traumatised children. "Some guardians for example, feel that the counseling sessions serve to keep the traumatic event fresh in the mind of the child because they do not fully understand what the process is about," Butler-Turner said. "It is our role to ensure that they understand the necessity of therapy for that child."
Vernice Stubbs Higher Education Sustaining Scholarships are awarded to qualified and talented university and technical students enrolled full-time and pursuing a first undergraduate degree, but who could be in danger of withdrawal due to lack of financial resources. The 2008 Vernice Stubbs Higher Education Sustaining Scholarship will pay scholars' boarding fees for the remaining academic year. The Spring 2008 Scholarship recipients are: KEVIN ANTONEY BROWN - University of Technology SHAWNA-KAY RACQUEL McLARTY - University of the West Indies MICHAEL VERNON HAYNES - University of Technology MELISSA CHENOWETH ANDERSON - University of the West Indies The Caribbean Education Foundation was asked the reason boarding scholarships are important, and CEO, Nikiki Bogle replied, "Scholarship recipient, Kevin Brown explains the fundamental reasons in his scholarship essay." Kevin wrote "by securing funding for accommodation fees, I do not have to travel through my volatile home community to get to school daily. By residing on campus, I will not have to worry about being prevented from traveling to classes by violence in the community. This not only ensures unimpeded access to education, but significantly mitigates the stress that arises from worrying about whether or not I will arrive to school safely in the mornings or arrive home safely in the evenings." According to Ms. Bogle, "Some of our students face critical safety concerns daily and many students are simply unable to attend classes regularly due to a lack of transportation fares to get to campus. However, for some students, such as Kevin Brown, it is a combination of both dismal circumstances. Campus boarding fees range from 45,000 to $51,000 per semester and if the family's paycheck is $5,000 per month, our students cannot do their best for a myriad of reasons. CEF is very pleased our scholarships are able to aid bright students to remain safely on campus to successfully complete their education." The Caribbean Education Foundation scholarship recipients satisfied the Vernice Stubbs Higher Education Sustaining Scholarship strict requirements: high academics (at least a 3.0 grade point average), evidence of financial need; resides in urban or rural depressed community; exhibit leadership qualities/community service and solid production prescribed essay. KEVIN BROWN is obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technology, specializing in Enterprise Computing at the University of Technology. Prior to UTech, Kevin was a top student at Wolmer's Boys' School and a Prefect and Head Boy. He was successful in 8 CXCs and a member of the Schools Challenge Quiz Team for two years. Kevin has received many awards and scholarships too numerous to detail. He received the 10th highest grade in the world for Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing at Cambridge GCE A' Level in 2004. He achieved the 2nd best CXC Exam results at Wolmer's Boys' School in 2002. Kevin was nominated for the Prime Minister Youth Award for Excellence in the field of Academics in 2004. In 2005, he was listed in The Gleaner's Annual "Top of the Class" publication as one of the top 100 students in Jamaica. In addition to his studies, Kevin was President for the UTech Association of Student Computer Engineers for two terms; Student Representative for the School of Computing and IT; Member of Leadership Committee and is a Student Leader Mentor in UTech-EHF High School Mentorship Program. In 2007, he was awarded Student Representative of the year by UTech Students' Union. SHAWNA-KAY McLARTY is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication with a minor in Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies. Prior to UWI, she was on the Principal's Honour Roll and graduated with Upper Second Class Honours. Shawna-Kay was successful in 7 CXCs and continued to 6th Form and achieved 3 CAPE subjects. At UWI, she is Block Representative and a Volunteer at the Office of Special Students Services. She was the Vice President of Tri Star Youth Club. She has maintained a 3.5 grade point average at UWI, which will allow her to graduate with First Class Honours. MICHAEL HAYNES is an undergraduate majoring in Industrial Technology in the field of Mechanical Technology at the University of Technology. Michael was successful in 6 CXCs and 6 CAPE subjects. In addition to maintaining a high grade point average of over 3.0, Michael has received his Certification in Community Service; awarded a 2nd Place Medal for 4H Quiz Club and is an athlete in a number of sports including track and field and football. MELISSA ANDERSON is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Medicine and Surgery at the University of the West Indies. Melissa was successful in 8 CXCs, including Chemistry and Physics and 5 CAPE subjects. In addition to maintaining in excess of a 3.0 grade point average, she is a UWI Peer Support Provider, UWI - UCAM Treasurer and Responder in the UWI Student Emergency Response Team. Indeed, as is evidenced from the caliber of students who were awarded scholarships, the Caribbean Education Foundation standards are high. "Our difficulty was not in locating bright scholars who desperately need aid, instead, the challenge was in choosing which students to award scholarships from limited resources," explains Ms. Bogle. "We wish CEF could have helped many more students who applied. We have no doubt that CEF will accomplish those goals in the future."
Allen and several top female Jamaican artistes will attempt to raise some (JA) $10,000,000 on Sunday, to build a shelter for battered women in that country. In a statement issued by Caribbean Vizion on Wednesday, the organisation said the group also intended to develop an education programme in Jamaica's Women's Centre for teen mothers. Choc'late is chief executive officer of Caribbean Vizion. Called a Sisters to Sisters Mediathon, the seven-hour concert will be broadcast live on radio and television, according to the release. Entertainers expected to perform include Nadine Southerland, Etana, Queen Ifrica, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Macka Diamond and Cindy Breakespeare. Also in the line-up are Cherine Anderson, Tessanne Chin and Cecile. The dreadlocked Choc'late arrived in Jamaica in February, and performed at some of Jamaica's premier stage shows, including Rebel Salute, Africa Unite and Smile Jamaica. The statement said the youth activist, at the urging of Jamaica's Minister of Information, Culture, Women's Affairs, Youth and Sport Olivia Babsie Grange, has also agreed to campaign for the country's battered women. Daughter of singer Kurt Allen, Choc'late, 14, shot to prominence last year, when she staged a self-imposed, dawn-to-dusk fast for three days outside of the National Library in Port-of-Spain. The fast sought to draw greater awareness to T&T's crime situation. Choc'late also delivered motivational speeches to students at several schools throughout the country.
Taking part in the T&T Game Fishing Association's 28th international fishing tournament, Mendonca, a Westmoorings student, hooked the monster fish at 9.57 am on Saturday and spent the next one hour and four minutes coaxing the fish on to his uncle Maurice Lloyd's boat, Indigo. When the fish was brought to shore for weighing at the Speyside fishing jetty, judges found that it was 135 inches (11 feet, three inches) long and that its girth was 72 inches (six feet), said Marylin Sheppard, who heads the tournament's rules committee. The fish is about twice the height and about six times the weight of the teenager. "This boy may have broken the junior angler world record for blue marlin," said Sheppard, adding that the verification and certification of the world record would be done by the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), which is headquartered at Dania Beach in Florida. Bill Rewalt, an American judge who was at Speyside for the tournament, filled out a form which he will take to the IGFA this week, said Sheppard, who assisted in weighing the fish. Rewalt will also take the lure, the hook, the leader and 30 feet of the nylon used to reel in the fish to the IGFA. Mendonca received $100,000 for breaking the existing blue marlin record which was 644 pounds and $315,000 for catching a blue marlin over 800 pounds. He also received trophies for the largest fish of the tournament and for capturing the heaviest fish. Sheppard said at 890 pounds the blue marlin was likely to be the largest fish ever recorded at a game fishing tournament in the Caribbean. The tournament was previously held at Crown Point but was moved to Speyside this year, for the first time, because of rough seas off Tobago's south-west coast, said Sheppard, who is also responsible for beach control which involves contacting the boats by radio and recording their times. The tournament was sponsored by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Tobago House of Assembly, Carib and the local Game Fishing Association along with a number of other sponsors. Most of the boats in the tournament were anchored at the Blue Waters Inn in Speyside.
A long jump silver medallist at last year's Pan American Junior Championships in São Paulo, Brazil, Reid has taken Texas A&M University by storm. He turned in a personal best 7.92 metres to finish fourth at the NCAA Indoor Championship on March 14 and clinched the Big 12 Conference indoor title on February 29. He posted his PR on his third attempt at the NCAA Indoors after his first two efforts got the red flag and he was the opening competitor in the second flight of nine athletes. "I wasn't thinking about a PR on my third jump," said Reid. "I just wanted to get a safety mark to reach the finals and progress from there," he told the Aggies website. "An improvement in my run-up caused me to foul on the first two attempts, but my coach and I were able to fix it on the third... Then in the finals I just wanted to be consistent and produce better marks," he said. Apart from claiming an All-American honour, Reid climbed to No 2 on the Texas A&M all-time list. "I knew coming into the meet I was third on the all-time indoors. My objective was to break the school record, but I'm still pleased," he added. At Wolmer's, Reid was always an outstanding jumper. At Boys Champs 2007, he won the Class One high jump, finished fourth in the long jump where the top seven athletes went beyond seven metres, and captured the triple jump Open. At last year's Carifta Games in the Turks & Caicos Islands, Reid grabbed silver in the Under-20 Boys high jump and snatched gold in the long jump. He ended his high school days as National Junior triple jump champion and runner-up in the long jump to Nicholas Gordon of Calabar. At the Big 12 Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, Reid - who participated at the 2005 World Youth Championships - finally believed he could one day get a major medal for Jamaica. "I came here with one focus, to win," Reid said at the Big 12 Championships. "I wasn't too bothered with the distance (7.76m) I won with; my mindset was just on winning and performing to the best of my abilities," he said. The Olympic qualifying A standard for the event is 8.20m and for the triple jump, 17.10m. Reid's PRs outdoors are 7.55m for the long jump and 15.83m for the triple.
Child care and education costs will represent a larger share of costs for raising the '07 baby through adulthood than they have in the past, the Agriculture Department said in an annual study on child-rearing costs. "The cost of providing food decreased from 24 percent to 17 percent of total child-rearing costs, while child care and education expenses increased from 2 percent to 12 percent," the department said. Housing will be the single largest cost for U.S. families -- making up 33 to 27 percent of total expenses across income groups, USDA said. Factoring in inflation, the grand total for middle-income families comes to $269,040, USDA said. Total costs also include transportation, health care, and other necessities. Child-rearing costs have soared since USDA began conducting its annual study in 1960, and can vary dramatically according to a family's income. Families making less than $45,800 before taxes can expect to spend less, $148,320 in real terms over the course of their child's first 17 years. Those on the other end of the income spectrum, making more than $77,100 a year, will spend $298,680 in 2007 dollars on raising their '07 child. Even though the study does not include the cost of college, USDA found that children get more expensive as they get older. Teenagers were the most costly. The department also noted that child-rearing costs are the greatest in the urban West, and lowest in the urban Midwest and rural areas across the country.
Speaking at the official opening of the Second Special Session on Children of the CARICOM Council of Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Monday, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Nils Kastberg revealed that among the group, boys are more likely than girls to be victims of this crime. "The region also presents the highest rate of global gun crime - 42 per cent of the world's homicides," Mr Kastberg said, adding that this is among the multitude of growing challenges facing youth in the region. "It is high time for us to deal with where the violence starts." "While progress has been made in some key areas including education, it is clear much more needs to be done if the region is to achieve the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)." The UN official further urged Caribbean countries to work towards developing a reputation "not just as a region fit for tourism, but also one fit for how it treats its children". To focus the attention of the visiting delegations on the issues that matter to young people themselves, child delegates from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname read a joint statement at Monday's opening session, calling on all CARICOM states to move beyond just talk and make necessary changes to support the region's children. "We experience injustices such as sexual, physical and verbal abuse, unavailability of good quality and affordable education, and the stifling of our voices," they told the delegates. "Children have the right to be heard." "We may be powerless now but in a few years we'll be the ones sitting in your seats and making the decisions," they continued. "Give us a foundation that you would be proud of. Let us be the change you want to see in the world...We demand from you a Caribbean that is safe, one that provides us the right environment in which we can grow up and reach our full potential in whatever areas we choose, a Caribbean that can contribute to a world that is fit for us, your children." Mr Kastberg said the timing of the COHSOD session was especially significant since "we are at a crossroads - just past halfway to 2015", the target date set for the realisation of the MDGs. The meeting, attended by Ministers from CARICOM member states, was called to assess progress made since the 1st special COHSOD meeting in 2002 on those areas that especially affect children: Early Childhood Development, Child Protection, HIV and AIDS, and Infant and Maternal Mortality
Each year thousands of students nationwide participate in the Disney College Program and get a taste of working with an internationally recognized company. The program offers participants the chance to network directly with Disney leaders and executives, build transferable skills, take part in personal- and career-development classes, and potentially earn college credit. Presentations: * Recruiters will host presentations at Brooksdale Community College- NJ area college students interested in a paid internship opportunity. * Interested students must view an on-campus presentation or E-Presentation online to be eligible for an interview. * For a schedule of recruiter visits to campuses nationwide or to view the E-Presentation, visit www.disneycollegeprogram.com and click on "Walt Disney World® Resort." Fast Facts: · Open to all full- or part-time college students at least 18 years of age, in any major and at any academic level. · Participation in the Disney College Program can lead to, and may be a requirement of, Disney Professional or Management Internships. For more information on internships, visit www.disneyinterns.com. · Three new college-level courses are available to participants. Advanced Studies in Hospitality, Corporate Communication, and Creativity & Innovation: Gaining the Edge are currently under review by the American Council on Education for credit recommendation. · Additional educational opportunities include Professional Development Studies which are courses that are major-specific. Enrollment is limited to students who have declared majors in engineering, entertainment, security, and finance. The Disney Exploration Series is open to all participants and offers students the unique opportunity to learn more about how the Walt Disney World® Resort operates in key areas. · Participants are housed in fully furnished one- to four-bedroom apartments near the Walt Disney World® Resort with 24-hour security and various resort-style amenities. · For students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for the Disney College Program, Disney's CareerStart Program is a unique alternative. The CareerStart Program offers participants a one-of-a-kind experience where they can discover their true potential and map out their next career move. The program is open to anyone who has earned a high school diploma or GED in the past 48 months. For more information, visit www.disneycareerstart.com. Roles: * A variety of Cast Member roles are available, including attractions, costuming, culinary, entertainment,* food and beverage, hospitality, lifeguards, and merchandise. Disney is an equal opportunity employer drawing creativity from diversity. Dream it. Do it. Disney. *Audition required for entertainment roles.
Grand-prize winner Francisco Martinez, a 15-year-old from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, earned top honors for his submission, "Boy in Archway." As part of his prize, National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths Belt, one of the contest judges, will attend a celebration at Martinez's school this spring, where he will be recognized as the top winner at a special school assembly. This summer Martinez and his parents will be flown to Washington, D.C., for a four-day, three-night stay courtesy of National Geographic Traveler. His prize also includes a 35 mm digital camera, a private tour of the National Geographic Society and a tour of the city with one of the magazine's leading photographers. The second-prize winner is 16-year-old Tara-Kay Salmon from Jamaica. Her submission, "Playing in the Light," earned her an "ultimate photography package" prize of a digital camera and carrying case plus three National Geographic photography books. Third-prize winner, Jawanza Bassue, is a 16-year-old from St. Kitts. He will receive 10 National Geographic photography books for his image, "Watering Hole." The winning images will be published in the July/August issue of National Geographic Traveler and will be exhibited this summer at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. "The entries this year were of an exceptionally high standard, so it was a challenge for the judges to get them down to just three. What struck me as most powerful about the three final images was that each was a true moment of real life on the islands. Each gave a little window into daily life in the Caribbean, yet each was completely different from the others," said Griffiths Belt.
In its just released World Youth Report 2007, the UN noted that "a combination of social alienation, lack of opportunity, and high unemployment of large numbers of youth in unstable, poorly managed urban settings contributes to gang violence and civil unrest in the region". "Evidence suggests that violent crime is usually concentrated in poor urban communities, and most offences are committed by young people," it said. "In Jamaica, for example, young people constitute almost two thirds of those found guilty of crimes, with men four times more likely to be found guilty than women." According to the report, although youth unemployment has declined slightly over the past 10 years, it continues to be high in most small island development states. In fact, it notes that one in every five youth in the Caribbean is unemployed. It also pointed out that even when young women attain higher education than their male counterparts, that has not translated into gains in their employment prospects. "They are still much more likely to be unemployed than young men," the report indicated. "In St Lucia, almost half of all young women in the labour market are unemployed." It identified a variety of problems which it suggested limit employment opportunities. These include scarce resources, limited capital and a relatively undeveloped business sector. "In addition, sustained population growth has led to annual labour force increases that greatly exceed the rate of job creation in the formal sector. Thus, job opportunities are frequently only available in informal or traditional sectors that do not meet young people's expectations and are not highly regarded by society," the report noted. As a result of this, the UN document pointed out, the probability of youth migration in the region is among the highest in the world as young people "seek opportunities and a more exciting life" in other countries. On the issue of health, the study found that the younger generation in many countries including those in the Caribbean face a variety of problems, chief among them teenage pregnancies and HIV/AIDS. "Of all regions for which data are available, young people living in the Caribbean have sex at the earliest age. Early sexual activity and low rates of contraceptive use combine to produce high rates of teenage pregnancy, particularly for those with little education and those living in rural areas," it said. "Teenage pregnancies not only pose health risks, but given the limited support for child care, also reduce young women's life opportunities." the report noted. This sexual behaviour has been blamed for the increasing vulnerability to HIV infection in the region. The Caribbean as a whole has the second highest HIV prevalence rate in the world. High rates of youth suicide were also identified in the report as a matter of serious concern. The suggestion was that this may be related to the lack of opportunities that young people face.
The members, Northern Caribbean University (NCU) graduates Conroy Smith, Ayson Baxter, Damian Mitchell and Imran Allie (ICAD), are currently in Silicon Valley in Pal California, for the two-week Imagine Cup Accelerator Programme sponsored by Microsoft and British Telecommunications (BT). The programme brings together the brightest minds in the field of information technology to work with the top six Imagine Cup teams, equipping them with the training to turn their projects into products. Senior director of academic initiative for Microsoft, Joe Wilson, notes that Microsoft's continued commitment to education was making the breakthrough a reality. He was speaking during a press briefing at the Computer History Museum on Tuesday. He noted that the Imagine Cup was not only about creating technology, but creating the technology that matters. Last year's theme was 'Imagine a World Where Technology Enables a Better Education For All'. At the 2007 Imagine Cup in Seoul, South Korea, the Jamaican team came third with their Computer Aided Distance Instruction (CADI) software. CADI is an interactive classroom software that connects teachers, students and resources from anywhere in the world once there is steady Internet access. The programme provides real-time translation in 12 languages. Students and teachers can share material regardless of language in a virtual classroom. "I never imagined that project could have brought us this far. Today we are here and this goes to show that you never know when your break will come or what you will do," notes team member Allie. The teams currently participating in the programme are: Thailand, Korea, Ireland, Mexico and Poland. Surprised by their third place win in Korea, Baxter told The Gleaner, that he was surprised to see these companies interested in their software. "It's amazing to see the glee in their faces, that they are impressed," he said. Wilson told The Gleaner he was impressed with the team's software and what it could do. "But I was more impressed with the people," he continued. "If this is an example of what Jamaica can offer the world, you guys are in perfect shape."
The amateur tape, which appears to have been recorded by another student with a cellphone, has been circulating via the Internet for several weeks. This has raised cries of concern from several education officials who believe the incident is a reflection of a general breakdown in the society. Full view of students The recording, which is a little over three minutes long, shows a female student sprawled on a staircase, legs apart, with a boy dressed in khaki uniform having unprotected sex with her. The voices of other students can be heard in the background, instructing the duo on what to do. Both the girl and boy, at separate points in the tape, turn their faces to the camera; the girl flashes a smile in the process. Amazingly, this was being done in full view of several younger students, who appear to be under 10 years old, who were constantly walking by the staircase. The tape is among a slew of similar recordings being circulated via both the Internet and cellphones, which involve very graphic images of students in sex acts. Dr Charlene Ashley, communi-cations director at the Ministry of Education, said persons must be aware that what they are viewing is, in fact, child pornography and carnal abuse. "Anyone who views this really has a responsibility to report it to the Children's Registry," she appealed. "These are children that we are speaking about. They are underage and cannot consent to sex under the age of 16." Conducting investigation Ashley said Minister of Education Andrew Holness, after being made aware of the recordings, reported the incident to the police. |"He also spoke to the Children's Advocate (Mary Clarke)," she said. She said the chief education officer would also be conducting an investigation into the incident in order to administer the necessary intervention programmes. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Herfa Beckford, the officer in charge of the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, said she has also seen a copy of the tape and the matter is being investigated. DSP Beckford said that, under the Offences Against the Person Act, a boy who is 14 years and older could be charged for carnal abuse if he is found to be having sexual relations with a girl under the age of consent. In Jamaica, the age of consent is 16 years old. She however pointed out that, if both individuals are under the age of consent, by law they can be taken into custody and brought before the Family Court. "With the behaviour that is displayed (on the tape), we can take them in for care and protection because it is deemed that they are children without any guardianship," she said. 'Mind-boggling' behaviour Sylvester Anderson, president of the National Parent-Teachers' Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ), said he too has seen a copy of the video and finds it 'mind-boggling'. "It's a sad situation," said Anderson. The NPTAJ president said this and other such incidents speak to a multifaceted problem that is present throughout the country. "It speaks to an issue of values, whether these children have any value of themselves and respect for their own lives." He said, however, that these children should not be expelled from school but should receive counselling. Anderson said this also highlights the problem of cellphone usage in schools and again called for restrictions to be placed on the type of phones allowed to students. Dr Grace Kelly, chairman of the Behavioural Sciences Department at the Northern Caribbean University, said students who were involved in such acts needed psychiatric evaluation. "Nobody in their rightful mind would do an act like that and feel proud about it," she said. "Something is wrong and (we) probably need to check to see whether or not these students have access to drugs," she said. Kelly said it was not normal for individuals to behave in such a way unless it was done under some sort of duress or other kind of influence. Moral fibre Jennifer Willie, head of the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors in Education, said the whole moral fibre of society has broken down and this is being reflected in the behaviour of children. She said the problem of pornographic material is a concern in the island's schools, as teachers have to often confiscate such material from students.
Seventy percent of Cuba's 11 million people were born after Castro's 1959 revolution. The younger ones dream of traveling abroad and want access to the Internet, iPods, trendy clothes, music and films. Many were disappointed when Raul Castro, a 76-year-old army general, succeeded his ailing brother on Sunday as Cuba's first new leader in almost half a century, and other elderly communists were appointed top key posts. "This is a dynastic succession. Everyone is so disappointed," said Virginia, a teacher who quit her state job earning $19 a month to work as a nanny. Raul Castro's appointment as president was no surprise, but the new leadership team is more rigid -- and older -- than many young Cubans expected, or would like to see. Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, a 77-year-old hardliner who fought with the Castro brothers in their guerrilla army in the 1950s, was named as Cuba's new deputy leader. Carlos Lage, 56, who pushed market reforms in the 1990s and is respected by foreign businessmen, had been expected to take the job but he was passed over. Young people are tired of poor salaries and food shortages, and feel constrained by a system that offers few opportunities to own nice homes, cars and other consumer goods. Some saw Lage as a leader who might help modernize Cuba. "It should have been Carlos Lage. He has many good ideas. We should be rejuvenating," 20-year-old sociology student Maidolys said on Monday as she hitched a ride to classes. Fidel Castro's government built up the mythology of his 1959 revolution, celebrating the anniversary of important battles and exhorting people to be like Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the late Argentine guerrilla who fought with the Castros. But this has diminishing appeal to a younger generation that wants less Che and more Shakira. "To them, change means not just better living conditions but the opportunity of freedom, the opportunity to live like the rest of the world does," said Andy Gomez of the Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies in Miami. Even among university students who believe in the socialist system, especially the advances in education and health care, its failings have fueled impatience. At a town-hall meeting last month, computing students peppered the head of the country's legislature, Ricardo Alarcon, with uncomfortable questions, including why their access to Google and Yahoo sites was blocked. One asked why a Cuban must work two or three days to buy a toothbrush. Raul Castro has fomented debate on the state's shortcomings and what needs fixing since taking over as acting president when his brother fell ill in July 2006. He has raised hopes of modest economic reforms but will move slowly and also vows to continue communist rule. In his first speech as president on Sunday, he said he would move to lift some restriction soon but gave no details. "Raul Castro's speech ... has not dispelled my doubts," said Yoani Sanchez, one of the few independent bloggers in Cuba (http://www.desdecuba.com/generaciony/), adding that Raul Castro has not delivered yet on other promises of change. The 32-year-old philology graduate says her generation saw their parents grow disillusioned with communism when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, causing severe shortages of food and basic goods in Cuba. "We're a mixture of pragmatism, disbelief and cynicism that is not a good combination to believe in any ideology," Sanchez told Reuters on Monday. In her new blog, she also said she would willingly forfeit the government's monthly rations of subsidized beans, rice and sugar "for an extended dose of freedom of expression". Pichi, a former state driver turned odd-job man, said he did not even listen to Raul Castro's speech, and instead spent Sunday afternoon tinkering with a fifth-hand Russian-made Lada car. "Everyone is on stand-by here. But I don't see change in the next 10 years. It's not easy.
"This new relationship strengthens and solidifies our position as a major research institution," said Dr. Joseph Barba, Dean of The Grove School of Engineering. "We will be able to build upon the infrastructures and research capabilities at both universities." At the present time, the Ph.D. program at The Grove School is offered through the CUNY Graduate Center, with options for specialization in Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. The CUNY Board of Trustees was expected to vote to authorize CCNY to offer the Ph.D. in engineering at its regular meeting on February 25. UPRM offers a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, with specializations in Structures, Transportation and Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Computer Information Science and Engineering. While students will be able to take courses at both schools, it is expected that they will do most of their work at the institution where their advisers are based. Their dissertation committees will include professors from both schools, with the chair selected from the institution that will grant the degree and the co-chair from the other university. There is also a one-year residency requirement at CCNY for students working towards a CUNY degree. The new collaboration is an outgrowth of UPRM's participation in the NOAA-CREST (Cooperative Remote Sensing Science & Technology) Center, which is based at CCNY. "Our research collaborations have evolved into academic collaborations and, now, programmatic collaborations," Dean Barba noted. One UPRM student is already at CCNY working toward their Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Reza Khanbilvardi, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the NOAA-CREST Center. As Puerto Rico's only public school of engineering, UPRM boasts a strong student body, Dean Barba pointed out. Many of its graduates have obtained or are working toward Ph.D.s from elite private universities in the United States. Since UPRM students are overwhelmingly Hispanic, the new collaborative program will fortify CCNY's position as a leading producer of Hispanic Ph.D.s in engineering, he added.
Saifudeen Nausrudeen won the 800-m in a time of 2:13, one second shy of the AAU national indoor record. `After months of hard training and development this gold medal means a lot to me,` said Saifudeen. `This gold was possible only with Allah's permission and with the help and guidance from my family and coach. ` Saifudeen, an elite US junior runner, has been experiencing continuous success over the past years. Only one week before, on February 10th, he won the gold in the 800-m and 1,500-m at the USATF Northeast Indoor Classics. The gold medalist is also expected to do well at the upcoming USATF Championships in a few weeks. Ron McBride, Saifudeen's Coach commented that, `Saifudeen is having a great year, he works hard, we expect him to do many more great things in 2008. It is has been a wonderful experience training and guiding Saifudeen so far.` The AAU US National Indoor Championships was held on February 15 17, 2008 in Merrillville, Indiana. More than 2000 athletes from across the United States participated. Saifudeen, an 8th grader, also holds track and field records for his school, county and state. Saifudeen looks forward to participating in the World Olympics Games one day. CaribWorldNews.com
This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Andrew Holness at the weekly post-cabinet press briefing on Wednesday. Holness said many acts of violence go unreported and are usually dealt with internally by the school administration. He said based on the growing trend in violent acts on school campuses, decisive action would have to be taken and students found in possession of an offensive weapon must be reported to the police. He said further that the Ministry of Education would be working closely with the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police in deciding on the appropriate response to the spate of violence in schools. Holness said school administrators will be required to report all incidents of violence to the Ministry. He said this information would enable the ministry to develop a system-wide framework to deal with gangs, possession of offensive weapons, indiscipline and disruptive behaviour. In relation to access to school compound by parents and visitors, the Minister said guidelines were also being worked out and will be circulated to all schools. He said the lack of proper parenting and a general breakdown in the fabric of the society was at the heart of the problem, but expressed the hope that the guidelines that are being developed would enable teachers and principals to respond appropriately.
Carl A. Christopher won first place in the "Best Editorial Cartoon" category for his "smoke signal" cartoon in the Voice's Technology Issue. The UVI Voice won third pace in the "Best Special Section or Theme Edition" for the Technology Issue. Miriam Welderufael won an honorable mention in the "Best Informational Graphic" category for "The Freshman 15: Myth or Fact." Also winning an honorable mention was Jane Meade in the "Best Feature Writing" category for her article "Celebrated Journalist Discusses 'Winds of Change' in the New Africa" featuring Charlayne Hunter-Gault."Our students were competing directly with students from all of the HBCU institutions of higher learning in the United States there are no 'big school/small school' categories. So our first place and third place awards are major accomplishments," Dr. Sterns explained in an e-mail to UVI faculty and staff. "What amazes me about this and what impresses me is that there are schools that do a cartoon editorial five days a week all year long," Dr Sterns said in an interview. UVI Voice is published about four times a semester. "It is absolutely phenomenal that he (Christopher) would win." The UVI Voice Technology Issue that garnered two wins was published in October 2007. It focused on problems that plagued the University as a result of a lightening strike, and UVI's conversion to a new information system. That issue featured eight news stories, editorials and opinion pieces about the technology problems. Five UVI students and one UVI administrator contributed to the articles. Attending the conference were St Croix Campus Managing Editor Miriam Welderufael, St Thomas Campus Managing Editor Aslin Leger, reporter/copyeditor Sana Hamed, reporter Andrea Soto, and Dr Sterns. The conference was hosted by Morgan State University in Baltimore. Welderufael and Leger selected and entered the content for the experience of competing with other journalism students. Leger said that in considering what stories to enter in the competition she and Welderufael looked at the stories that generated the most feedback from the UVI community. Leger described the conference as "phenomenal," with its networking opportunities and informative workshops. "We all learn from each other," Leger said. Impressed by the UVI group, several organizations have shown interest in the students. An editor of the Detroit News has offered a paid internship to one student and two graduate journalism program directors are recruiting the students for their graduate programs, said Dr Sterns, who is also a UVI English professor. This is the second consecutive year the UVI Voice has won awards at the conference. Last year UVI Voice won second place in the "News Series" category and second place in the "Editorials" category. UVI is a charter member of the Black College Communication Association, which sponsors the conference.
Student applicants should apply through their respective schools. Application details can also be obtained by visiting www.gacaribbeanamericanheritage.org. The application deadline for this year is May 1, 2008. Completed applications should be mailed to Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition, P.O. Box 392, Atlanta, Georgia 30301, for the attention of Dr. Princess Beckford. Interested businesses should contact the GCAHC at 404-752-6080 or e-mail caribline2004@yahoo.com
But a different light was shone on Mr. Huard's decade of work in Haiti yesterday as he and a fellow aid worker from Quebec, Denis Rochefort, were charged with sexual crimes against a total of 10 boys, aged 13 to 17. The two are accused under a section of the Criminal Code that allows sexual crimes against children to be prosecuted in Canada even if they are committed abroad. The Crown has opposed the men's release from custody because of the nature of the alleged crimes. A bail hearing is set for today. "These sorts of crimes have been considered particularly serious for several years," Carmen Rioux, the Crown prosecutor, said in an interview. She noted that a conviction on a single count carries a mandatory prison term of at least 45 days and a maximum sentence of 10 years. "These crimes are alleged to have been committed in a country that is trying to rebuild," she added. The justice and policing systems remain rudimentary. "It is a country where it is relatively easy, more than here in Canada, to commit such crimes," Ms. Rioux said. Mr. Huard, 64, faces 13 counts of sexual interference and sexual exploitation of minors. Mr. Rochefort, 59, faces 10 counts on the same charges. The offences are alleged to have occurred between Dec. 1, 2006, and March 1, 2007, when the two Quebec City residents were working in an orphanage in the port city of Les Cayes, 200 kilometres from Port au Prince. The Haitian national police had received reports of sexual abuse at the orphanage and began an investigation early in 2007 before seeking assistance from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, which includes officers from the RCMP. The Surete du Quebec sent an investigator to interview the alleged victims last September. Little is known about Mr. Rochefort's work in Haiti, but Mr. Huard has kept a higher profile. In 2004, he told a Radio-Canada reporter he was anxious to return to Haiti despite the upheaval at the time. "For me, Haiti is practically my homeland," he said. He had formed a partnership with a Quebec aid group, GRANDIR, which encouraged people to donate to his work in Haiti. "You have to see him live among the people, eat and sleep as they do, to realize that a commitment like this is very rare," the group wrote on its Web site. In another passage, they called him "Father Teresa." In a letter dated last Dec. 28 and addressed to his donors and partners, Mr. Huard announced he had left the orphanage in Les Cayes. He blamed his departure on a lack of support from the local community and international aid groups, and on difficulty obtaining land for a new building. He said he intended to return to Haiti and solicited donations to cover medical and education costs for Haitian children. The Canadian Criminal Code was modified 10 years ago to allow for the prosecution of child sex crimes committed abroad. This is the third prosecution brought under the new provisions. Benjamin Perrin, an assistant professor of law at the University of British Columbia, said one Canadian has been convicted so far. Donald Bakker, of Vancouver, pleaded guilty in 2005 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing children in Asia and for abusing prostitutes in Canada. A second B.C. man, Kenneth Robert Klassen, was charged in 2007 for alleged sex crimes in Cambodia, Colombia and the Philippines. That case has not yet gone to trial.
The fee is paid first, then raunchy sex videos involving the students engaging in sex acts in the classroom are transferred to the customer via cellphone bluetooth. This was revealed at a seminar on juvenile delinquency yesterday at the Faculty of Social Sciences Lounge at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Head of the Unit for Social Problem Analysis and Policy Dr Daphne Phillips said it was poverty-stricken students who made the pornography to sell in order to take care of their families. Phillips said a study was conducted by her unit to expose the "real life conditions and experiences" of children. Fourteen junior secondary schools were randomly selected for the study and the principal from each school chose one Form Three class as the focus. According to Phillips, the classes then held group discussions with her unit as a main data collection tool. "We didn't moralise them...we encouraged them to talk," Phillips said. The students-most of whom came from single parent families-revealed the abuses which they endured. Phillips said pornography was prevalent in the more urban schools, whereas students from rural schools preferred other means such as stealing fruits to sell in order to make money. Phillips said they found that in one case a student claimed to have stolen a child to make money. The findings of the study drew a link between violence and broken homes, and were intended to inform the policy makers in society so adjustments could be made to existing policies. "Policies before were not really evidence-based...The unit tries to bridge the gap between policy-making and evidence," Phillips said. A proposal, Phillips said, would then be drafted and submitted to the Government ministries suggesting amendments to "build adequate social policy." Team member David Balfour presented the experiences of some of the students that were documented. Presented exactly in the vernacular spoken by the students, a series of issues were highlighted. Calls to Education Minister Esther Le Gendre's cellphone were not returned up to late yesterday. TTUTA responds: In an immediate response to the study's findings yesterday, general secretary of the T&T Unified Teacher's Association (TTUTA) Peter Wilson said he was not familiar with the study, but acknowledged that it was a cause for concern. He said the Education Ministry had a Student Support Services Unit which could deal with social issues such as pornography in schools. Wilson blamed the situation on poor parenting and a general breakdown in society. Some responses by students to situations at home: -Some parents treated the girls like "housewives." -Parents arrive home late, without helping their children with their homework. -Excessive abuse and cursing. -Parents go to "passa passa" fetes and leave their children unattended. Likewise, some parents take their children to passa passa and leave them to fend for themselves in the party. -Fathers, as well as mothers, sexually abuse their children. -Brothers have sex with their sisters. Some situations in schools: -Teachers "sweet talk" and touch students. -Teachers videotape students to make porn. -Students make porn and sell from $5-$20 to help support their families.
"BAM is so grateful to Trustee Richard Feldman whose generosity has made the Samuel H. Scripps BAM Scholarship possible," stated Lynn M. Stirrup, BAM's vice president for planning and executive director of special campaigns "BAM's Education & Humanities programs serve over 22,000 students from over 175 New York City schools annually. These scholarships will enable BAM to make a significant impact in the lives of students who have been inspired by their BAM arts education experience and are pursuing higher education in a related field," said Stirrup. BAM Board member Richard Feldman commented, "It gives me great pleasure to honor the memory of former BAM Trustee Sam Scripps through the creation of the Samuel H. Scripps BAM Scholarship. Sam began his career in the theater and was a generous patron of dance and theater throughout his lifetime. He understood that the future of the arts rested with our youth, and he believed in nurturing talent and creativity, so we are delighted to launch this new program in his honor.
"Soon to be graduates are able to get a jump start on their careers," said Carole Lakin, Group Relations Manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car New York. "The scholarship/internship program allows us to provide students with the tools they need to get ahead in the current competitive job market." In order to qualify, applicants must be currently enrolled in a 4-year accredited college or university in the New York area and be a senior as of September 2008. The winners will be selected for an internship at Enterprise Rent-A-Car through the New York Urban League and will receive $2000 towards their college education from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation. The application deadline is March 15th, so be sure to apply today! Scholarships will be awarded later this spring. To apply for the scholarship/internship please contact Courtnei Evans at 973-709-2387 or Courtnei.J.Evans@ERAC.com.Founded in 1957, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car is headquartered in St. Louis and serves customers in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Germany. Enterprise ranks No. 21 on the Forbes Top 500 Private Companies in America. Enterprise has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport car rentals in eight out of the past nine years, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study SM. For more information about Enterprise call 1-800-RENT-A-CAR or visit www.enterprise.com.
In poorer communities of the Dominican Republic, housing is not built to sustain the region's extreme environmental conditions such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Therefore, residents face the risk of injury and homelessness regularly. Merrimack civil engineering student and Dominican Republic native Franklin Miguel will lead five other students as they design economical housing that can better withstand environmental issues. Miguel will assist the team with language and cultural barriers while in Santo Domingo. Dr Aaron Bradshaw, assistant civil engineering professor at Merrimack, is the team advisor. The project is funded by the Davis Foundation. Upon their return, the students will use their onsite research to design cost effective, safe structures by reflecting on learned skills, and their experience.
Fourteen-year-old Ametza Nicholls and 12-year-old Chelsea Tuach were two of just 20 surfers from 16 countries around the world who are now world-wide surfing ambassadors. Nicholls, a student at The St Michael School, and Tuach, a first-former at Queen's College, ended last year ranked first and second respectively in the Open Ladies Division while Nicholls is the reigning Under-18 Girls' champion and Tuach the Under-12 champion. Both have already secured their places on the junior team that will be travelling to the ISA Junior World Championships in France in May. The two were ecstatic on hearing the news and both see this as a step on the path to turning pro. "I want to be a pro surfer and go on the women's world surfing circuit and travel," said Chelsea, who has been surfing since she was seven. After the initial euphoria on learning the news, Chelsea explained: "It's [the ISA scholarship] really good for my surfing 'cause the money I'm going to get will let me go to France." The first-former, whose dream was always to attend Queen's College, said she was doing well at school. Juggling school work and surfing is no problem for her, she said, adding that she tried to complete homework at school and then put two hours in the water. For Ametza who burst onto the local surfing scene in late 2004, her dream of turning pro seems one step closer to reality with the scholarship. But she frankly admitted she had to cross the immediate hurdle of Caribbean Examination Council's (CXC) exams. "Right now I have some CXCs like Maths and I'm supposed to be going to France, but I have some CXCs around the same time so I'm not quite sure how that is going to work out," she said. "Right now I'm hoping to turn pro, but I want to concentrate on my CXCs so at least if that doesn't work out I can have them to fall back on." She, too, has mastered the art of juggling school and work. "I don't really have any problem," she explained. "I try to go every evening." Ametza who has been to Brazil as part of the team that competed at ISA Junior Surfing Championships in Brazil, said overseas experience has made her a better surfer. "You get to see other surfers and compare styles and it helps you to want to get better." Both Ametza and Chelsea have credited older brothers with introducing them to the sport. In addition, they have also thanked president of the Barbados Surfing Association Andrew Lewis for having encouraged them to enter. The scholarships were awarded on skill and academic ability and is intended to help finance overseas trips and equipment.
The event is often described as surfing on snow. Snowboarders descend a slope strapped, standing sideways on a lightweight board about 150 centimeters in length. With origins dating to the early '70s, snowboarding has exploded within the last decade, even becoming an official Olympic sport in 1998. Since then, it has continued to grow steadily in popularity to the point where Dick Eversoll, the chairman of NBC Sports and Olympics, says that by 2010 he expects that "snowboarding will be the second most important sport on NBC's Olympic coverage ahead of skiing but right behind figure skating - snowboarding, being great from the young viewership." As for Wright, he moved to Canada at a young age where he went to school, and on the side, he picked up snowboarding at age 10. At age 14, he began to compete in local halfpipe events, joining various local programs. Wright moved steadily up the ranks to the point where he is now training with the Canadian and Dutch Olympic teams, and competing against the best in the world at professional events and World Cups. Wright has earned titles such as Swiss National Champion, he placed third at the Junior Worlds, and even landed a third place spot at a World Cup event in Whistler, Canada. He began the 2006/2007 snow season ranked 13th in the world for halfpipe. The three Olympic disciplines in snowboarding are Snowboard Cross, Race, and Halfpipe. Snowboard Cross, also known as Boarder-Cross, is a four to six man race down the mountain through obstacles including jumps and banked turns. It is common to see a competitor ejected from a corner or collide with another competitor during a race. Race, similar to ski racing, is set up as a slalom course, in which competitors are timed while weaving left and right through the plastic gates. Halfpipe is considered a 'freestlye' event. It is performed in a 22ft. semi tube (half of a pipe) where the riders go as high out of each wall as they can while doing tricks, often reaching 10 to 15 feet of altitude. A competition run in the pipe usually consists of four to five airs, three being tricks. Tricks are measured in degrees, of rotations beginning at 360 and increasing by increments of 180. Tricks also include a grab which is when the snowboarder holds onto his snowboard with his hand. Grabs have many different names based on hand position, including melon, indy, nose, tail, and mute just to name a few. Tricks can also have names based on rotation axes, direction of rotation and starting position including frontside, backside, switch, corked, rodeo, Mctwist, misty, underflip, wildcat and tamedog amongst others. An example of a halfpipe run would be; frontside indy, corked backside 720 tail grab, switch backside 540 mute grab, and hakken flip 720 nose grab. Halfpipe is a sport judged based mainly on style, execution, difficulty and amplitude. s
Kids are making a huge impact. In fact, America's youth contribute more than 1.3 billion hours of community service each year, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service*. Kohl's feels strongly about recognizing the actions of these stand-up kids. The Community Service Survey* notes an estimated 15.5 million youth participate in volunteer activities; this is nearly twice the adult volunteering rate. Last year's national Kids Who Care scholarship winners included a 9-year-old who raised $19,000 to buy 23,000 pounds of food for a local food pantry, a 12-year-old who raised more than $20,000 for kids with life-threatening illnesses and a 17-year-old who founded a school group to increase student and community autism awareness. These kids are not only making a difference by their own actions but inspiring others to join in as well. Kohl's wants to reward young volunteers like these nationwide and encourage them to keep up the good work. "We've seen kids take volunteering to new heights by creating their own community programs, teaching younger kids to read after school and hosting birthday parties to benefit animal shelters, among other good deeds their compassion is evident and inspiring," said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Kohl's Department Stores. "Through the Kids Who Care Scholarship Program, Kohl's is thrilled to encourage and reward these kids for their initiative, creativity, leadership and generosity." To nominate a young volunteer for a Kid Who Cares scholarship, visit www.kohlskidswhocare.com. Nominations are accepted February 1 through March 15. Two nominees from each of Kohl's 900+ stores will win a $50 Kohl's gift card; 190 of them will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education. Ten volunteers will earn national recognition winning scholarships worth $5,000 toward post-secondary education. Kohl's will also contribute $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on behalf of each national winner. The Kids Who Care Scholarship Program is part of Kohl's Cares for Kids, a program focused on improving the lives of children. Kohl's Cares for Kids benefits children's health and education opportunities nationwide through its merchandise program, fundraising gift cards and A-Team associate volunteer program. For more information or a list of past Kohl's Kids Who Care winners, visit www.kohlskidswhocare.com.
CaribWorldNews, LONDON, England, Tues. Jan. 22, 2008: Black Caribbean children in schools in Northamptonshire are performing `significantly worst' than their white counterparts, a new report claims. The report, commissioned by the Northamptonshire Race Equality Council and the Wellingborough Black Consortium, claims that the progress of pupils suggests the gap between different racial groups is actually widening, with young people from black Caribbean backgrounds causing particular concern. Professor Andrew Pilkington from The University of Northampton, who authored the reports, states, that `Examination of trends over time confirms that black Caribbeans and other black children are a particular cause for concern, since the gap between them and the white British is growing.` Pilkington added, `The underachievement of black Caribbean pupils cannot be simply explained away in terms of social class, since differences remain even when controls are made for social class. Something else is going on and additional explanations are needed.` He recommends that local authority produce an annual monitoring
report on ethnic differences in educational achievement and disseminate
this widely to schools, the racial equality council and community
groups.
To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $60,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/ or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.
information produced annually by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu) is now available for download on the "Resources" page of cIcu's Web site: http://www.nycolleges.org/resources.php. The online edition of Affording College and its Spanish language equivalent, Como pagar la universidad, provide information that students and families need to make informed college financial aid decisions. The 20-page guidebook defines the different types of state and federal assistance available to prospective college students and outlines the financial aid application process. In addition, contact information for more than 100 independent college and university admissions offices, and a variety of Internet resources offer avenues for additional learning. A postage-paid information request card also is available online. "It is important for first-year students and families who are new to the financial aid process to get the facts. With January 1 being the earliest students and families may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Affording College provides helpful tips, important deadlines, and answers to the most frequently asked financial aid questions at an ideal time, said Susan Nesbitt Perez, cIcu's Vice President for Outreach and Financial Aid." "Independent colleges and universities are committed to helping families from all income and demographic groups meet college costs. Few students pay the "sticker price" - nearly 8 out of 10 students across the nation receive financial aid. In New York, cIcu's member campuses annually provide more than $2.2 billion in scholarship grants from their own funds to help students meet college expenses. Millions more from state and federal grant and loan programs assist our students," said Abraham M. Lackman," President of cIcu. cIcu has produced free publications on college admissions and financial aid since 1981. Visit the "Resources" tab at http://www.nycolleges.org to learn about cIcu's complete collection of brochures, resources, and guides.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the said sum will be made available immediately to the ministry and it will be used to expand several sections of the facility including its dining area. Jagdeo also said he would make computers available to the children to occupy their time. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand said the Child Protection exercise began in March and since then several of them have been integrated back into their families while others have been enrolled in school. As regards juveniles who have committed crimes, the president inspected several areas within the compound of the Sophia Skills Training Centre and requested a proposal to erect a 'holding facility' for juveniles being processed through the Court system. This facility would ensure that they are not entered into the prison system, GINA said, and would provide an alternative to the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) facility at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast which is overcrowded. The president said the proposal must be submitted before the 2008 Budget is announced so that it could be included. The social services, youth and home affairs ministries are collaborating on the project. The ministers from these entities accompanied Jagdeo on the inspection exercise.
Carey, who solidified himself as one of the best eighth graders in America after the Elite Eighth Grade Rating Camp in Houston, Texas on December 26, 2007, has also secured invites to the Kobe Bryant and LeBron James Elite Basketball Camps this summer. These camps are by invitation only from sneaker giant Nike, for the top 100 basketball players in America. For Carey to have received an invite as an eighth grader, puts him the category of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James when they too were eighth graders. As a result, there is no question in the minds of basketball professionals in America that Carey is a phenom which comes around once every 10 years, like Bryant and James. Carey, who is of Bahamanian background, also continues to work hard in the classroom. He works more than five hours per day on his basketball skills under the watchful eyes of John Lucas and his developmental coach and mentor, Frank Rutherford. Carey, as John Lucas puts it, is a "freak of nature". When Lucas speaks of Carey's basketball instinct and basketball IQ, he mentions it as a gift that one can only be born with. This season, Carey has averaged 40 points, 10 assists, and 20 rebounds per game, and continues to get better day by day.
Powell, who will join a team that includes two of the top horizontal jumpers in the United States and will be coached by the reigning National Jumps Coach of the Year, Jake Jacoby, made a break from a recent tradition. In the past 10 years or so, a number of Munro past students have made a bee-line for Baton Rouge to attend Louisiana State University (LSU), but Powell said he "wanted to make a change and start a new tradition". The soft-spoken 6' 4" 195 lbs athlete who was fourth in the triple jump at the Junior Pan-Am Games held in Brazil last year, said while he got a number of offers, Louisville was more attractive given their strong tradition in his specialties. He said, "I am feeling OK about the scholarship and I have confidence in the coach because he is a good jumps coach. He has been the number one jumps coach in the US for the past two years so I'm pretty confident in his ability." s
Peart, who suffered from Kerataconus, a deformity of the cornea that causes severe vision defect leading to blindness, received two corneal transplants at the Toronto Eye Surgery Centre last year to treat the condition. The most recent transplant was performed in December. Tamika Peart (seated right), with some of her benefactors who made it possible for her to receive successful eye surgery in Canada. Standing (from left) are: Lorna King, president of PACE Canada; Verna Andrade, vice-president of Canadian Friends of St Thomas Healthcare Organisation (CFSTHCO); Ron King, businessman; Alton Telfer and Dan Williamson from CFSTHCO; and Sandra Carnegie-Douglas, president of the Jamaican Canadian Association. Seated at left is Maud Fuller, president of the University of the West Indies Alumni Association and stooping in front is Jamaica's consul general to Toronto, Anne-Marie Bonner. (Photo: JIS) Peart, who is in Canada recovering from her surgeries, thanked each financial donor for giving her the gift of sight. "I didn't expect this at all. I am really thankful that people who don't know me have gone this far for me," she told JIS News. Her battle with Kerataconus began in 2001 when doctors in Jamaica diagnosed the rare condition in her right eye. Over the years, the eye progressively deteriorated until eyeglasses were no longer of any use. Peart was slowly going blind and the only thing that could be done was a corneal transplant. "I was attending pre-university as a first-year student," recalled Peart. "Due to the adverse state of the Kerataconus, I was unable to decipher things that were written on the board or to read from a computer monitor. So, with the greatest of regret, I had to dismiss myself from the programme. I was sitting at home for 16 months unable to do anything and being very depressed until my aunts decided to invite me to Canada on a medical visa." Her family, including her aunt Karlene Haughton, a Canadian resident, was able to raise the C$6,000 needed for the surgery and Peart went to Canada in June 2007. At the first consultation with the doctors at the Toronto Eye Surgery Centre, Peart received the crushing news that the Kerataconus had also affected her left eye. Though devastated by the news, she remained optimistic about her condition and pushed ahead with the surgery on the right eye. To raise money for the second surgery, Peart and her family appealed to Jamaica's consul general to Toronto, Anne-Marie Bonner, who sent out an SOS to members of the Jamaican community in Toronto. Through the generous donations of several individuals and organisations, the money was raised for Peart to undergo the second corneal transplant in December. Those who contributed included the Jamaica Canadian Association; the Canadian Friends of St Thomas Healthcare Organisation; Ron and Lorna King; Maud Fuller, president of the University of the West Indies Alumni Association; Jamaican Ex-Soldiers Association and Ms Bonner. Peart said her greatest desire is to return to her pre-university studies on the Mona campus of the UWI. "I intend to go back to Jamaica and back to school," she said. "I will have to start over, but I don't mind."
"On child survival, we must continue to focus on the critical period after a mother gives birth and an infant's good start in life," UNICEF Regional Director Nils Kastberg said in a statement on Monday, underlining the need for more public investment. He called for greater support to increase breastfeeding and better prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, while also providing HIV-positive mothers with treatment that would allow them to live to see their children grow up. Preparedness before natural disasters must be improved to cut down on the catastrophic impact they have on families and towns and emergency responses must be accelerated to avoid loss of lives and livelihoods, which tend to affect women and children first, he added. In a region where 80,000 young people die every year as a result of violence in the home, 2 million suffer commercial sexual exploitation and 6 million suffer severe abuse each year, remedial measures are crucial and urgent, Kastberg stressed. He also called for more funds dedicated to programmes to create opportunities for adolescent development. "Specifically, we need to ensure that the 25 per cent to 30 per cent of adolescents and young people between 15 and 24 years of age, who are out of school or out of work, be better prepared to formally enter the working world," he said. An important element to achieving this would be to expand basic education beyond primary school to include education from pre-primary to secondary, and to make it intercultural, of good quality and open to the different languages in the national cultural context. "With 2008 being the international year of languages, it is timely to focus on that element of education," Kastberg said. "By providing a full and proper education, we can build a full and proper work force of young people." In coordination with the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and other UN agencies, one of UNICEF's challenges in 2008 will be to develop a reliable system to gather pertinent information from sub-national level, which would better reflect the social realities and disparities of the region. Summing up UNICEF's programme for 2008, Mr. Kastberg concluded: "We would hope the end result of such efforts would mean that by this time next year, we would see an important shift for and among young people; that they would feel more confident of their role, their place and their rights in building the region confident that change was happening with them and for them, and not at their expense."
At 18, American teens can assume control of their legal and financial futures. Yet they need to understand that slip-ups now can affect their futures for years to come. "Once kids turn 18, they have their first shot at establishing a positive credit history," said Mike Sullivan, director of education for Take Charge America, a national non-profit credit counseling agency. "If they end up abusing or misusing the system, their actions can prevent them from qualifying for additional lines of credit down the road." According to the most recent statistics from Nellie Mae, in 2004 college students reported freshman year as the most prevalent time for obtaining credit cards, with 56 percent having obtained their first card at age 18. "Our homes, cars and other valuables are all rooted in our credit history. The younger you start, the sooner you'll be able to achieve financial independence," said Sullivan. "Without a consistent, positive track record, teens and 20-somethings won't be able to rent an apartment, buy a car or apply for a loan without their parents' signature." So, what does it take to build a positive credit history? Sullivan describes what not to do: * Don't go on a spending spree Just because you have the credit, doesn't mean you should spend it all. Your first credit card should have a low limit, such as $100 or $500. This will help prevent large impulse buys. If you know you're an impulse shopper, you can further restrict temptation by applying for a store or gas card, as opposed to a general bank credit card that can be used at almost any location. * Don't test your credit limits Make a small purchase to kick off your credit history and then make consistent payments. You don't want to be caught in an emergency situation with a maxed out credit card. If you withdraw over your credit limit, you will be faced with exorbitant fees. Plus, the overdraw shows up on your credit report, and that could prevent you from receiving other forms of credit at reasonable interest rates in the future. * Don't share your credit information No one should have access to your credit information, including close friends. Don't leave your monthly bill in plain sight, nor ask anyone to hold onto your credit card. This could leave you susceptible to fraud and identity theft. * Don't ignore the fine print You need to know exactly what you are getting into before you sign the contract. Financial jargon can be confusing, so ask questions if you don't understand the terminology. You will be held accountable for all information listed in the fine print, whether you understand it or not. Be cognizant of over limit and missing payment fees. How much could these fees potentially cost you? What happens if you miss a payment? Do you have an introductory fixed rate? If so, for how long? Once you have established a line of credit, be sure to examine each monthly bill and take notice of the minimum payment amount, the total balance and the interest rate. Has anything changed? Is there an unauthorized purchase? Call the credit card company immediately if you notice inconsistencies. * Don't be afraid to ask for help It's normal to encounter bumps along the road to establishing credit. Have an open dialogue with your parents and ask them to go over your credit card bill if you are confused. You can also seek the advice of a credit counselor. Visit www.bbb.org to locate a reputable agency.
According to the New York State Society of CPAs, these two education tax credits can help defray education expenses for you and your family. And because a tax credit is subtracted dollar-for-dollar from the taxes owed, it's more favorable than a tax deduction, which simply reduces the total income on which your tax is based. For example, if your tax bill is $2,000 and you qualify for a $1,000 education credit, you can cut your tax bill in half. The Hope Credit INCREASES For 2006, the maximum Hope credit has been increased to $1,650, up from $1,500 in 2005. To calculate the credit, you claim 100 percent of the first $1,100 in college tuition and fees for each eligible student, plus 50 percent of the next $1,100, for a maximum tax credit of $1,650 per eligible student. The Hope credit can only be claimed for the first two years of pursuing a degree at a college or other post-secondary institution. The student must be enrolled at an eligible education institution at least half-time during the year. You can claim the Hope credit for qualified education expenses for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your tax return. Expenses that qualify are tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance. Generally, books, room and board, student activities, athletics, insurance, equipment, transportation, or other similar personal living expenses do not qualify for the purpose of calculating the Hope credit. The Lifetime Learning Credit While the Hope credit is available for only the first two years of college, the Lifetime Learning credit applies to any person taking undergraduate or graduate classes. It provides a tax credit of up to $2,000 on the first $10,000 of college tuition and fees for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent child. The qualifying expenses and eligible institutions are the same as for the Hope credit. But unlike the Hope credit, you can take advantage of the Lifetime Learning Credit even if you're only taking one college course. The Lifetime Learning credit, which may be claimed for an unlimited number of years, is calculated per family, not per student. The maximum credit ($2,000) is the same, regardless of how many family members are in school. Study THE fine print You cannot claim both the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit for the same student in the same year. But if you pay qualified education expenses for more than one student during the same year, you can claim the Hope credit for one eligible student and the Lifetime Learning credit for another student. Both the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits are phased out for higher-income taxpayers. To qualify for the full credit in 2006, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be below $90,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly, and below $45,000 if you're a single filer. A partial credit is available for joint filers with an MAGI between $90,000 and $110,000 and for single filers with an MAGI between $45,000 and $55,000. You cannot claim an education credit if your MAGI is $110,000 or more if you file a joint return ($55,000 for single filers). To apply for the Hope or Lifetime Learning credits, you must complete IRS Form 8863, Education Credits, and submit it with your tax return. Educational institutions are required by law to send students Form 1098-T, which shows the amount of qualified tuition and related fees paid during the tax year
The student training system found at www.caribbeanexams.com features over forty full-length, timed, computer-adaptive tests whose delivery simulates that of the actual exam. It includes resources for parents, practice questions, answers, and explanations (via an online help desk), as well as a comprehensive Language Arts review section. The website provides resources to enhance the preparation process for the following examinations: * Grade Level Assessment Test (GLAT), * Common Entrance Examination (CEE), * Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), * Continuous Assessment Programme (CAP), and * Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT). After a student takes a practice test, they receive their scores instantly. They are able to review each of the test questions to see which items they missed. The system allows students to return and rework th |