Chevonna Haughton Secures Top Place in ATI Essay Competition

Fifth Form student of the Immaculate Conception High School Chevonna Haughton emerged the winner of the 2017/2018 Access to Information National High School Essay Competition. Ms Haughton copped the title from among sixteen participants. 

The Awards ceremony was held yesterday (March 14) at the Hotel Four Seasons in Kingston. Acting Director of the Access to Information Unit, Mrs Tomica Daley says the competition is one of a number of initiatives employed by the Unit to reach this critical cohort. “The youth is an excellent access point to not only educate individuals on the Act but, also to encourage early democratic participation on a broader level”, she noted. 

Tashique Gibson, Westwood High School and Abigail Smith, William Knibb Memorial High School were awarded second and third place respectively. The ATI National High School Essay competition was launched in 2008 out of the recognition that the voice of the youth must be heard on issues of national importance, and specifically to make them aware of how the ATI Act can be used as a tool to build accountability and transparency. 

The competition is organized by the Access to Information Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister. The competition received both urban and rural participation. The schools represented were: Ardenne High School, Wolmer’s High School for Girls, William Knibb Memorial High School, Immaculate Conception High School, Denbigh High School, Campion College, Quality Academics, Maggotty High School, Glenmuir High School, St. Andrew High School for Girls, Westwood High School and Vauxhall High School.