The Rotary Club of St. Vincent hosted its 25th Annual George Phillips Excellence Awards Ceremony, celebrating academic achievement, personal growth, and the accomplishments of outstanding young people across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The ceremony on June 4, held under the theme, “Excellence in Every Step: Celebrating Progress, Growth and Continuous Development,” recognised exceptional Fourth Form students from 27 secondary schools across the country.
Awardees were selected based on their academic performance, discipline, extracurricular involvement, leadership qualities, and their ability to maintain a balanced approach to school life.
The awards are held in honour of George Phillips, the charter president of the Rotary Club of St. Vincent, whose commitment to service and youth development established a lasting legacy of encouraging excellence among students.
For 25 years, the programme has provided recognition and motivation for young people striving to achieve their full potential.
Under the leadership of Rotary Club of St. Vincent President Felicia Cumberbatch and led by Director of Vocational Service Troy Valcin and her committee, the event brought together students, educators, parents, sponsors, and Rotarians to celebrate the achievements of the awardees.
Cumberbatch highlighted the importance of investing in youth, recognising that today’s students are the future leaders, innovators, and contributors to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The ceremony featured an inspiring address from guest speaker Xavier Stapleton, chef and owner of Cultured, who encouraged students to pursue their goals with determination, embrace their talents, and continue their journey of growth.
Remarks were also delivered by Senior Education Officer Mavis Findlay-Joseph from the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training & Innovation, Digital Transformation & Information, who emphasised the importance of education, skills development, and preparing students for future opportunities.
Representatives from two longstanding sponsors, Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and FLOW, also shared remarks, reaffirming their commitment to supporting education and youth development.
“As the Rotary Club of St. Vincent celebrates 25 years of the George Phillips Excellence Awards, it reaffirms its commitment to education, service, and empowering the next generation of leaders in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” a press release said.
