The students received awards in five categories, including Most Outstanding Student, Most Out-standing Student in Mathematics and Science, Most Outstanding Student in Literature, and Most Improved Student.
Isiah Parnell, deputy chief of mission to Jamaica, explained that US Ambassador to Jamaica, Pamela Bridgewater, has a longtime interest in education, which has propelled the embassy to provide much-needed assistance to schools and students in Jamaica.
"This is another opportunity for us to be good neighbours and partners with the Government of Jamaica," he said. "It is very important to attend school and to excel, so as to make a bright future for one's self based on being well prepared academically. The AAAA was launched by the ambassador in June of 2011 in Kingston, but the ambassador felt that there was a need to go outside of Kingston, as there is a lot to the island outside of the capital city. And based on the turnout, I believe it was a success."
Motivating factor
Principal of Titchfield High, Richard Thompson, said that the AAAA was a motivating factor to students at the school, who realised the importance of education and the need to excel.
"I will be presenting those students who picked up awards at our next devotion," he said. "This award embodies what we try to achieve at the school. We try to develop and maintain a tradition of excellence in our students, and it is very fitting that they sought to have this activity at this school."
The students were drawn from Castleton Primary and Junior High, and Annotto Bay High in St Mary; Morant Bay High, Seaforth High, Robert Lightbourne High, Yallahs High, and Saint Thomas Technical High in St Thomas, and Titchfield High, Buff Bay High, Happy Grove High, Port Antonio High, Moore Town Primary and Junior High, and Fellowship Primary and Junior High in Portland.
