The spirit of literacy and learning came alive at the 37th staging of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) National Reading Competition, held recently at the TVJ Studios, where Jamaica’s brightest young readers displayed their skills in comprehension, fluency, and confidence. 

The event concluded with an awards ceremony segment, recognising the exceptional talents of children across the island.

Among the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the CIBC trophy and cash prize to the national runner-up Quain Raymond in the 9–11 age category, made by Sherian MacDonald, Senior Manager, Deals Management at CIBC Caribbean.

The celebrations continued on August 28, 2025, with the National Awards Ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, where finalists, parents, and educators gathered to honour Jamaica’s outstanding readers. MacDonald again represented the bank in presenting awards to participants who distinguished themselves in the competition.

She said CIBC Caribbean was honoured to support such a transformative initiative, noting that reading is the gateway to knowledge, confidence, and lifelong opportunity. She emphasised that by supporting the Jamaica Library Service National Reading Competition, the bank is helping to equip children with the literacy skills they need to succeed not only in school but also in life.

Dionne Barnett, Senior Librarian at the Jamaica Library Service, expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting that partnerships with sponsors like CIBC Caribbean made it possible to sustain and grow the competition. She noted that the programme continues to provide children with opportunities to showcase their talents while strengthening the culture of reading across Jamaica.

The National Reading Competition, organised annually by the Jamaica Library Service, is one of the country’s premier literacy development programmes. It serves as a vital platform to encourage active reading and comprehension skills, reinforcing the value of education in national development.  This year’s competition set a new record with 5,600 registered islandwide.

CIBC Caribbean’s sponsorship as an Associate Sponsor reflects the bank’s ongoing commitment to education and community development, ensuring that Jamaican children have access to the opportunities and resources necessary for academic success.