Independence celebrations: Student and other outstanding Barbadians receive top honours 

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Frederick Smith Secondary School student Kerrisha Skeete was the youngest of the thirty-five Barbadians who received national honours at Barbados’ 56th Anniversary of Independence parade at Kensington Oval on Wednesday. 

And, the student who turns 16 on Saturday, was the only person to receive a standing ovation when President Dame Sandra Mason presented her with the Barbados Bravery Medal for her unselfish act of bravery towards a man while preventing loss of life from a seizure which occurred on public transportation on Tuesday, November 22.

Since Barbados TODAY broke Skeete’s story which went viral last weekend, she has been receiving tremendous national attention. The teenager disclosed that everywhere she goes persons who have been touched by her story have been applauding her effort.

Moments after today’s ceremony, Skeete told Barbados TODAY  she was blown away by the fact that thousands rose from their seats, including Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and members of her Cabinet, to give her a rousing round of applause.

“That one was shocking. I was just expecting just a clap, I wasn’t expecting everyone to stand up and cheer. I was surprised that I got goosebumps when it happened. 

“So many people have been congratulating me and saying they are proud of me and I am so surprised,” Skeete said, adding that her eyes are set on becoming a doctor and possibly assuming a head post at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) some day.

For his distinguished service as a culturalist and his outstanding contribution to the promotion of the cultural arts and fostering national identity, Elton Mottley, was bestowed with the Freedom of Barbados award. Mottley, who said he felt humbled to receive such recognition, indicated that he was not one to depend on awards to make his contribution to national development.

“It wasn’t expected but it is here. I am not dependent on something like this, all of my work is dependent on what I saw. But I welcome it and at least my family and friends would know that I got rewarded,” Mottley said.

Prominent businessman, Ralph Bizzy Williams, who was also presented with the Freedom of Barbados medal said he was honoured to receive the award on behalf of the 800-plus employees of Williams Industry and his wife Shelly Williams.

“I am supposed to be changing my role from Executive Chairman to non-Executive Chairman at the end of this year. My mission going forward is to let the CEO [Chief Executive Officer] run Williams Industries and I will go and help young entrepreneurs develop businesses, which I am already doing” Williams pointed out.

Director of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ian Carrington, who received the Freedom of Barbados award for his distinguished career in the public service and exceptional leadership of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme, said he was feeling happy, proud, humbled and blessed to be honoured.

“I go to work and every day I try to do my very best. Some days I fall short and other days I do what I set out to do,” Carrington said.

Media practitioner Trevor Thorpe, who was awarded a Barbados Service Medal for his contribution to the development of motorsports, shared with Barbados TODAY that he was pleased his work has been recognised.

“I feel excellent to receive this award, it even brought a little water to my eyes. I have been in the media from the time I left school and I worked in Barbados and in the Virgin Islands and the dutch country. A part of this is also for motorsport and I believe this is for all of my colleagues because I am a driver as well, and it is good for motorsport,” Thorpe said.

Community practitioner Adrian Donovan, who for his outstanding service to sports development was presented with the Barbados Service Star award, pledged to continue the work he has been doing for the past 40 years.

Donovan, the Assistant Director of Sports at the National Sports Council (NSC) said while he is concerned about the challenges society faces with troubled youth, he is hoping to be given the opportunity to implement outreach programmes for these individuals.

For her dedication to the empowerment and integration of the deaf community into mainstream society in Barbados, Bonnie Leonce, also received the Barbados Service Star.

Leonce, who played a pivotal role in keeping the members of the deaf community informed during the COVID-19 update press conferences at the height of the pandemic, said she was surprised to be recognised at a national level.

However, Leonce said the award was evidence that the deaf community needs to be served and represented.

“I am just asking everyone that when you encounter someone from the disabled community, especially the deaf community, that you understand that they deserve to be served just as any other Barbadian. So this star that I wear is theirs as well,” a proud Leonce declared.

Former President of the Barbados Netball Association for 15 consecutive years, Annette Beckett, who was awarded the Silver Trident of Excellence for her stellar representation of the country in netball on an international level, and for her efforts as an administrator to improve the sport, said she was pleased to be honoured.

“Right now I am a consultant for the netball sport in Barbados because as you are aware we have to work to return to where we were,” Beckett said.

Pauline Ross who was presented with the Barbados Service Medal for her dedicated community service made it clear that she intended to continue to help those in need for as long as she possibly can. 

And for his outstanding activism and contribution to the development of the utilities and telecommunications industries, Kenneth Went was awarded the Silver Trident of Excellence. Went who told Barbados TODAY that his intention is to get justice and equity for all, said he was happy that his work has been recognised.

“But it [award] is not just for me because so many people would have given assistance,” Went said. anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb