MORRIS

National coordinator of the Governor General Achievement Awards, Hugh Morris, believes the annual event has taken on greater significance as positive role models are becoming an endangered species in Jamaica.

Morris, who has overseen the awards for the last six years, says the winners are Jamaica's salt of the earth.

"The irony of these awards is that it's seen as for the small man, but they really come out of the whole thing as giants," Morris told The Gleaner.

"We try to retain these people in different roles so they can stay active in their communities and be role models," he added.

The 2009 national winners, 40 in all, were honoured during a ceremony at King's House on November 11. They were presented with their awards by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

"They are really the unsung heroes of this country, people who help build communities and young people who have achieved academically," Morris said.

Since its inception in 1992, the Governor General Achievement Award winners have come from humble, diverse backgrounds.

They include reggae singer Richie Stephens, the 2007 winner from Westmoreland. His Pot Of Gold football competition there has become a major annual event, attracting teams from outside the parish.

Kordell Clarke, a student at Alpha Academy in Kingston, was this year's Youth Award recipient from St Andrew. Born and raised in Tivoli Gardens in west Kingston, she successfully sat 12 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects, earning seven distinctions and five credits.

Then there is Winston Wright, one of two winners this year from St Andrew.

He has worked in insurance, real estate and agriculture in August Town for many years.

Stephens, Clarke and Wright are initially selected by parish committees which comprise civic leaders and past-winners. These 'boards' are appointed by a national committee, chaired by the governor general, and begin their selection procedure each March.

Vetting system

Morris, a lifelong educator who worked in the Canadian system for 30 years, says the vetting process is critical.

"It's very important they (committees) identify individuals based on our criteria, which is recognising unsung heroes who have helped build their communities," he said.

Last year, organisers added the Diaspora Award which will be presented bi-annually to stalwarts in Jamaican communities overseas.

The Governor General Achievement Awards is jointly sponsored by The Gleaner Company, the Jamaica National Building Society, Victoria Mutual Building Society, First Caribbean Building Society and Scotia Building Society.