During the 2025 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Children’s Essay and Environmental Poster Competitions awards ceremony, eight Barbadian students received awards. The award ceremony was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, where the students were rewarded for their creativity and passion for tourism and environmental sustainability.
Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Andrea Franklin commented, “Our team at BTMI was extremely pleased with the quality of entries received, which provided a range of creative ideas on how we can safeguard our natural ecosystems for future generations of Barbadians and visitors alike to enjoy.” She also added, “Given the importance of tourism to our island, the Children’s Environmental Poster and Essay Competitions are pivotal in encouraging interest in the sector among our youth.”
2025 Awardees
Here is a list of the 2025 FCCA Competitions awardees:
Poster Competition
- Poster Competition (Junior Division) – 1st place: Laila Alleyne of Springer Memorial School
- Poster Competition (Junior Division) – 2nd place: Jazarah Brewster-Lewis of St Jude’s Primary
- Poster Competition (Junior Division) – 3rd place: Kemani Holder of Eagle Hall Primary.
Essay Competition
- Essay Competition (Junior Division) – 1st place: Shaydon Lewis of The Lodge School
- Essay Competition (Junior Division) – 2nd place: Laila Alleyne of Springer Memorial School
- Essay Competition (Junior Division) – 3rd place: Ethan Burnett of Good Shepherd Primary
- Essay Competition (Senior Division) – 1st place: Shaileah Frederick of Combermere School
- Essay Competition (Senior Division) – 2nd place: Tenisha David of Princess Margaret School
- Essay Competition (Senior Division) – 3rd place: Gabrielle Grant of Daryll Jordan Secondary School
About the 2025 FCCA Competitions
The competitions which drew 66 entries, focused on two important theses. For the poster competition, entrants were tasked with creating an illustration. The theme was “How to Protect the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities”. They were also required to offer practical solutions for safeguarding Barbados’ fragile ecosystems.
The essay competition required students to write an essay on a relevant topic. This year’s topic was “If I Were a Cruise Passenger, What Would I Like to See or Do in My Country.” Additionally, they were encouraged to reflect on the unique experiences that make Barbados a destination of choice.
