The Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew (KCNSA) recently hosted it 2022 edition of the Builders Clubs Oratorical Contest for its 10 Builders Clubs in primary school for the first time in more than a decade. 

The aim of the competition was to equip the Builders with the skills of thinking clearly, speaking persuasively and listening to the opinions of others critically and constructively. 

As part of the programme, Kiwanians Najae Murray and Gary McKenzie led the training activities for the students and their faculty advisors. 

The contest was open to students from KCNSA’s 10 Builders Clubs. Video submissions on the topic ‘How can I help to prevent violence in school’ were presented for judging and five finalists representing Half-Way Tree Primary; Swallowfield Primary and Infant; Constant Spring Primary and Infant; and Pembroke Hall Primary School were selected.   

The finale was held recently at the Mico Youth Counselling Centre where the students were required to present a prepared script discussing the topic ‘School uniforms are not beneficial to the learning experience’, as well as an extemporaneous presentation on ‘What does Builders Club mean to me’.

At the awards ceremony, KCNSA President Dwayne Cargill expressed joy in hosting the contest and noted how proud the members of the Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew was of all the Builders who participated. 

He noted that the training provided was very beneficial to the students. 

“I was very elated to listen to the very informed and engaging presentation made by all our Builders today,” Cargill said during his remarks at the ceremony.   

In announcing the winners, Kayla Swell Mills, one of the judges, commended the students for their strong performance in the contest. 

First place went to Asha-Rae Morgan of Half-Way Tree Primary; second place to Kimoya Walker of Pembroke Hall Primary; and third place went to Savanah Mais of Swallowfield Primary and Infant School.

Half-Way Tree Primary Builders Club was judged the overall winner of the contest.

The contest was made possible through sponsorship from the JTA Co-op Credit Union and the Mico University College and broadcast coverage was provided by the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica.