Youth Parliamentarians Prepare For Upcoming SKNYPA 2019-2020 Year
Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 1, 2019 (SKNYPA): The St Kitts National Youth Parliament Association celebrated its 18th anniversary this year with its annual church service, wreath laying ceremony and annual general meeting. The association worshipped at the Basseterre Church of God and later paid homage to its founding father Desmond Eli Ward on September 15th 2019.
The annual general meeting was held on 22 September 2019 at the Innovation Hub, Basseterre, St. Kitts, under the theme: “Moving forward means moving now.”
The event’s feature address was presented by former SKNYPArian and Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs. Sonia Boddie Thompson. Boddie Thompson recalled her years of involvement in SKNYPA and admonished the members present to do more and retain their title as the leading voice for young persons in the federation.
The association elected its new executive for the SKNYPA 2019-2020 year and inducted nine new members into the association. The elections were presided over by Dennis Knight, honorary SKNYPArian.
The members chosen to govern the upcoming SKNYPA year are Patrice Reneé Harris, President, Mauriel Knight, Vice President, Paula Renee Henry, Treasurer, Haniff Charles, General Secretary, Alaric Arache and Vickell Edwards Douglas Public Relations Officers.
In June 2019, 15 young persons were invited into the association on a probationary status, at the end of the three-month probationary period, nine persons were inducted into the association. The inductees are Alaric Arache, Darin Connor, Devonne Cornelius, Hasani McDonald, Jeremiah Welcome, Malakhi Ferguson, Mauriel Knight, Tonique Henry and Vikell Edwards-Douglas.
Four inductees were awarded for their performance during the probation period. Hasani McDonald earned the award for Best Interview; Alaric Arache was named Most Amicable Probationer; Tonique Henry won the award for Most Punctual Probationer and Mauriel Knight received awards for Best Public Speaking Skills and Best Overall Probationer.
SKNYPA’s incoming president, Patrice Harris, assured the members and well wishers present that this SKNYPA year will be robust and include many of the association’s flagship events.
“I would like to welcome our newest members, I believe that your exuberance will help channel the way forward for the association as we aim to rebuild the reputation the association once held,” Harris said. “I also have to express sincerest gratitude to the members of the association who remained and worked diligently during the association’s difficult times, your efforts have not gone unnoticed, thank you for all that you have done.”
SKNYPA will host a mock parliamentary debate in November 2019 during the youth month activities, matters to be debated include an amendment to the National Elections Act to include overseas voters.
The first meeting for the upcoming SKNYPA year will be held on Thursday 3rd October, 2019 at the Charles Wilkin Building on Church Street.