Little Student Jackie Leemu Barclay of the Lott Carey Mission School has emerged as first place winner of the ARISE Impact Initiative, “Adolescents Book Reading Challenge Competition.
Jackie beats 13 other Young Readers finalists to the prestigious Bootcamp” Cohort-one Award ceremony, held at the Sinkor-Palace Hotel on Saturday. The Young Reader, who read brilliantly in front of a mass audience and scored the highest mark in the three-month competition, took home a cash prize of 20,000 Liberian dollars and a modern computer to enhance her studies.
She triumphed over her colleague, Theodore S. Greene, of Lott Carey Mission School, who won 15,000 Liberian dollars, and David Kelechi Iheme of the Mary Help of Christian Catholic school, $10,000 LD, rounding up the second and third place, respectively, in the colorful ceremony.
In her Keynote address, Madam Ora Barclay, Founder of Girls for Change Liberia, charged young potential leaders to identify and define career goals to become change-makers for a better Liberia. She inspires the students on the importance of education and the power of Books” while urging them to embrace more reading as a key to Education and development growth.
Further addressing the “Adolescents Book Reading Challenge” Young Readers Bootcamp” award ceremony, Madam Barclay encouraged students not to let their present circumstances define their future, ” but rather embrace reading as a stepping stone to identifying their career goals. The Girls for Change Liberia Executive Director, Mrs. Barclay, further deliberated describing young people as hope for a solution as She recounted her life journey and how she overcame negative stereotypes to achieve important milestones.
She urged Young leaders to rise above the challenges and define their career goals through more reading and research. The “Adolescents Book Reading Challenge” Young Readers Bootcamp” is an ARISE IMPACT, and the AWAKE BOOK CLUB” Initiative“ aims to educate, motivate, inspire, and mold the minds of young leaders to become change-makers in society. For her part, Wilnet Sara Zola Gaye- Executive Director of ARISE Impact, lead for Young Readers” Bootcamp,” Cohort-1, commended the young readers for showcasing the power of perseverance and curiosity.
She admonished the young readers for their commitment, dedication, and resilience while embracing the attitude of becoming change-makers. “Today is an important milestone in our journey together, and we are here to celebrate your hard work, creativity, and dedication to becoming the deal, ” the real change-maker tomorrow,” Madam Gaye said.
She urged the students to always embrace the world of Books and writing for personal growth and development. Madam Gaye, in her overview of the Young Readers” Bootcamp” Cohort-one Award ceremony, said young leaders not only engage in deep learning but also being critical thinkers, as the “Bookcamp” was founded on the belief reading and critical thinking are not just skills, but a give way to opportunities.
