Nine-year-old wins climate change poster competition

Nine-year-old Hayli Cheeseman is the winner of the 2024 Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) inaugural World Meteorology Day Poster Competition in which students showed how Barbados can combat the effects of climate change.

The Class Two student of the Christ Church Girls’ School edged out two other nine-year-olds, Jada Murrell who is homeschooled and third place Sianna Maxwell, a student of the Holy Innocents Primary.

Cheeseman told Barbados TODAY: “My mother encouraged me to enter the competition because she wanted me to learn more about climate action. So, I entered the competition . . . . I feel elated. I had the chance to talk to my friends at school about winning and they were very proud of me, and they told me they believed in me and knew I could do it.” 

Senior Meteorologist Semelka Jackman said the competition was open to private and public primary school students, between the ages of seven and ten, and was meant to be a showcase of their creative talents. It was based on the theme of World Met Day, celebrated on March 23, On the Frontlines of Climate Action. 

“There have been many initiatives both nationally and globally towards the fight against climate change, but our children are our future and the actions we take now will significantly impact the type of world that they will live in. We, therefore, thought it important to allow primary school students to creatively express their ideas on how this island can combat the effects of climate change,” Jackman explained.

“We have had several interesting and well-thought-out posters and our judges have certainly had an enjoyable time going through the great work from each participant.”

The meteorologist told the winners: “Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. We look forward to engaging with you and many more students across the island as we at the BMS continue our outreach to children across the schools.” (RG)