ON Friday last week, January 30, an historic event took place at the Central Library, Castries. A group of some 35 young students from schools in the south, accompanied by teachers, met Saint Lucian Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, for the very first time in their lives.
During the event which was endorsed by the official Nobel Laureate Week Committee, the students introduced their schools, recited poetry and later most of them had personal items autographed by the world-renowned bard. During the vote of thanks by one of the students, a gift token of appreciation in the form of a locally crafted pen by artist Jonathan Gladding, was presented to Mr. Walcott.
The activity, which was initiated by Vieux Fortian writer/poet ModesteDownes, included students from the following schools: Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary, Beanefield, Laborie Boys and Laborie Girls Primary, Vieux Fort Comprehesive Secondary La Ressource (formerly Campus B), and Plain View Combined.
In a brief remark, Walcott expressed his appreciation of the event, and advised the young ones that it did not matter where they came from, they too had it in them to achieve the ultimate.
The trip was made possible by Invest St. Lucia and Southern Taxi Association, while other contributions came from Bay Gardens Hotel, SMJ and Uptown Wholesale.