Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Centerville Perry Christie presented awards to the winners of the second annual Centerville Urban Renewal Poetry Competition during a prize giving ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.

Among the 10 finalists, sixth grade Columbus Primary School student Keshon Williams placed first, tie for second Romero Moxey and Aaliyah Taylor both of Centerville Primary and Palmdale Primary student Ashley Cartwright placed third.

The students read their poems to the prime minister before receiving their certificates and medals.

Prime Minister Christie congratulated the winners.

“You must find out what your gift is so that you can be the best you can, I use to go to school with plenty of people smarter than me but you see they all work for me now,” he said

He went on to encourage parents and teachers to continue supporting and motivating students.

About 60 students from four different schools in the Centerville area participated in the competition.

The officer assigned to Centerville Urban Renewal Programme Jermaine Rolle said that this competition is a part of the programme’s efforts the keep young children active in positive and creative projects.

“The kids displayed their talents and we were more than pleased with what they did,” he said.

“It’s an excellent project to reach out to the kids, the proems were judged based on clarity of expression, emotional content and flow of material we saw it fit that the prime minster who represents Centerville to award these kids.”