Nadje Leslie (left), of the Wolmer's School for Girls, beams as she accepts an award for her outstanding achievements in the performing arts from Terry-Ann Wilson (right), of the corporate affairs office at the Gleaner Company Ltd. Nadje, along with 12 other individuals from across the island, was honoured yesterday during the Kiwanis Club of Kingston's Youth in Excellence Award, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel in New Kingston. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

UNDER THE patronage of Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall, the Kiwanis Club of Kingston yesterday celebrated the outstanding performances of several individuals at its annual Youth in Excellence Awards ceremony, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel in New Kingston.

Among those lauded for their achievements in the performing arts were Nadje Leslie and Damion Radcliffe, who placed first and second respectively.

Jermaine Jarrett (first) and Lianne McNaughton (second) were honoured for sports, while Jayvan Mitchel and Travis Townsend took the top two spots for academics.

Candice Neil took top honours for leadership ahead of Elricka Richards.

Rigorous process

After a rigorous application process, the awardees were chosen from a field of over 40 individuals.

Fourth former at the Wolmer's School for Girls, Nadje Leslie, who was recognised for her skills as a violinist, is currently the Junior Instrumental Grand Champion of the World, a distinction she received in California last year. She is also the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) Festival Instrumental Champion for 2006 and represented Jamaica in Trinidad at the 2006 CARIFESTA.

When The Gleaner caught up with the overjoyed teenager, she was singing praises to both her parents and her music teacher, Paulette Bellamy.

"I have to thank my parents for helping me all this time, without them I don't know where I would be right now," she said.

Nadje who has been playing the violin since she was seven years old said she enjoys performing, but that she was working hard to strike a balance between her music and academic studies.

All 12 awardees have shown outstanding adroitness in their chosen field - from establishing various outreach organisations, to garnering several scholarships worth over US$50,000 (J$3.3 million) and even being awarded all distinctions in their CAPE O' level and A' level examinations.

In the absence of the Governor-General, keynote speaker L.G. William Reeson congratulated the awardees for their accomplishments. Mr. Reeson also encouraged them to maintain their exceptional level of discipline - a characteristic he said he was certain had brought them this far.

Also awarded were Randy McLaren, Travis Townsend, Corene Walker and Corporal Kevin Reid.