Increased student participation – in Dutch Lady Milk promotion

Managing Director of Hubbard’s, Allan Bierzynski, last Saturday expressed his satisfaction with the outcome and impact of activities undertaken during the 2012 Dutch Lady Milk promotion, as it gave students an opportunity to learn about a healthy product.

“I am sure that all of you are now more educated about milk and its many healthy benefits,” he said during a ceremony to close the promotion which began in October 2012, and among other things saw students in primary and secondary schools submitting hand-written essays on the topic: “Why should milk be part of the daily diet?”

Top four students pose with their prizes.

Students with their Certificates of Participation.

“Hubbard’s and Friesland Campina Export are committed to activities that will assist in the development of the children,” he added.

Manager of Hubbard’s Agency, Mrs. Margaret Roberts, said that compared to 2011 there were more entries in the 2012 essay competition. “The essay competition was seen as an activity which would assist students in learning more  about the importance of milk to their growth and development, build their knowledge in nutrition and enhance their writing skills.

“The increase students’ participation saw over 60% of the entries from schools and students in St. Andrew and St. Mark,” said Roberts, who used the opportunity to express her disappointed with the level of participate from the other parishes.

For the first time, the promotion also involved a culinary competition for Food and Nutrition students preparing for CXC examination.

“The objectives of the competition were to build confidence in students while enhancing their culinary skills and at the same time preparing them for the CXC examination.

“Also to build awareness among students that milk can be used in many other ways other than for drinking,” Roberts noted.

“The culinary competition is a first-time activity which created great enthusiasm among the participating schools.

“The students had a great time as they used Dutch Lady Milk in their various creations,” she added.
A total of seven schools made it to the semi-finals, of which four were select to enter the final.

The winning school was St Joseph Convent St George, and according to Mrs. Pamela Courtney, Curriculum Development Officer in the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Home Economics, the school will be representing Grenada in the 2013 regional culinary competition.

“Both competitions,” Roberts said, “had great impact on the students because it created an avenue for research and at the same time provided an avenue for educating themselves. This was most reflected in the various creative formats adopted to write the essays and colourful designs of dishes.”

The student who placed first in the primary school essay was Glenon Alexander of the St Andrew’s Methodist, and he received a laptop, trophy along with a certificate of participation. Second was Kenroy Gilbert of Berean Christian Academy; third was Keanna Julien of The Meridian School; and fourth was Nishorn Pierre. Those placing second to fourth received a trophy and vouchers valued at EC$500, $300 and $100 respectively.

The winner in the secondary schools’ entries was Cherise Blache who received a laptop, trophy and certificate of participation. Second was Othniel Simon of the Presentation Brothers College; third and fourth were Kelon Gurrie and Adonna Mitchell of the St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School. The prizes for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th were vouchers, trophies and certificates of participation.

The culinary competition, which was judged by Russ Fielden, Alison Parke and Rhona Sylvester, was won by St Joseph Convent St George and the grand prize was a Consul Cooker. Second was Boca Secondary, Third was MacDonald College and fourth was St Joseph’s Convent Grenville. The other participating schools were St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary, St Rose Modern Secondary and Grenada Seventh Day Adventist Comprehensive. All participating schools received kitchen products for their Home Economics Department.

The SAASS was presented with a special trophy for being the school with the most entries in the essay contest, while Isra Douglas was recognised for her great penmanship and received the trophy for “Most Legible Handwriting”.