FREEPORT, The Bahamas – Life’s challenges are preparing you for what is ahead, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Iram Lewis told Junior Achievers on Saturday, March 6 during the JA Speech Award Presentations held under the theme, “Innovative Dreams; Virtual Realities.”

The brief ceremony took place in Training Room 3 of the C.A. Smith Building.

Minister Lewis was accompanied by his wife, Heather.

During his address, Minister Lewis shared with the students that he was born and raised in Water Cay where they did not have Facebook or FaceTime but library books and people time. He said there was no internet, but they networked.

Addressing the students, he said they will have challenges and obstacles in life, but they must strive to overcome, learn from experience, move on, and be better.

He used basketball legend Michael Jordan as an example saying that while Jordan missed more basketball shots than any other players, but he is more well known “because in life, you will never make a shot you didn’t take. You must be bold enough to take that shot.”

Continuing, he said referred to a Chinese proverb, “Look not where you fell, but rather at what caused you to fall.” The Minister told the students it is important to acknowledge what made them fall, make the adjustments, and move on.

Ivan Butler, District Superintendent of Education, noted that the theme for the day was overcoming challenges, and in Education there is a lot to be proud of. “Do not take for granted where we are today in Grand Bahama. Students in Grand Bahama, private and public, have been in school from October. That is to be commended. Some schools in Nassau are still closed.”

He said the island has been challenged with Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, and for every child to be in school on the island, speaks volumes for the work being done by the Ministry of Education.

Also present were: Ron Dames, Programme Manager for Junior Achievement; Mrs. Monique Leary, Senior Cultural Affairs Officer, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; and Youth Coordinator of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Carla Brown-Roker; advisors and parents.

The senior speech finalists were: Robyn Knowles, Wilton Cartwright, Chardonnay Bowe (senior winner), Christopher Pratt, Patrelle Laing (senior 2^nd place winner), A’Nya Edwards (senior 3^rd place winner), Devaughn Woods, Jania McMinns, Ricardo Simmons, Imara Nesbitt, Danielle Wiilson and James Bain.

The junior winners were: 1^st place, Noa Wilkerson; 2^nd place, Toquan Lightbourne; and 3^rd place, Rebecca Collie. The 2020 senior speeh winners were: Philip Joe, 1^st; Jadyn Thompson, 2^nd and Shonnell Laing, 3^rd.

Minister Lewis had a busy weekend on island by visiting the Grand Bahama Emera Baseball Park for Little League Baseball on Friday, the YMCA field for Girls Soccer in recognition of Women’s International Day on Saturday afternoon, and a church service at Kingdom Worship Centre on Sunday morning.