UWI Mona student, Cleopatra Parkins - a member of the Department of Government's High Achiever Society - has placed second in an oratorical contest at the Black Student Leadership Conference at the Texas A and M University, College Station Texas held from January 16-19, 2014.
 
Renee Osbourne and Cleopatra Parkins both students in the Department of Government competed in The 26th Charles E. Williams II Advanced Leadership Institute annual Oratorical Contest. The Oratorical Contest is aimed at challenging and stimulating the minds of its participants as well as providing them the opportunity to display their talents of speaking and interpreting their ideas on a specific subject. The competition was open to over 600 students from over 50 universities across the United States; both girls were successfully placed in the top five.  However, Ms. Parkins claimed the second place spot in this competition.
 
Two members of the High Achiever’s Society along with their facilitator, Shinique Walters, attended the Southern Black Student Leadership Conference in College Station, Texas, titled ‘Leaders over Limits’. The four-day conference held on January 16-19, 2014 focused on developing the youth leaders skill set and characteristics that aided in motivating them to achieve goals and objectives despite societal and personal limitations. This prestigious opportunity was made possible by the efforts of the Office of the Principal who assisted in sponsoring the students. Additionally, the students will be having a two hour lecture to share the knowledge acquired from the conference to their peers and faculty members within the department.
 
The success of Ms. Osbourne and Ms. Parkins is welcomed by The Department of Government, given the new vision and focus of the Head of the Department Dr. Lloyd Waller who has placed significant focus on youth development and mainstreaming. This has led to various new initiatives and a greater focus on advocacy for youth led-participatory programmes. The Department has also placed youths as the drivers of development and good governance.
 
Given this vision the upcoming research day will have a youth led initiative spearheaded by the Department’s High Achiever Society (HAS). HAS will focus on “Vision 2030: A Youth Perspective”. This forum will consist of individuals within society that have a vested interest in youth and youth development, including some of the nation’s young leaders. The leaders of the HAS, with this audience will spark dialogue as to the way forward as it pertains to youth inclusiveness. Through this forum HAS will seek to discuss the 2030 vision and its failure to mention the integral role of youths in the master plan.
 
Photo caption: From left, Head of the Department of Government, Dr Lloyd Waller, 2nd place winner Cleopatra Parkin with her trophy, top five finisher, Renee Osbourne and facilitator Shinique Walters.