Westmoreland honours eight local heroes

WESTERN BUREAU:

Eight residents of Westmoreland were honoured for their contributions to culture, education, community development, religion, business, politics, and bravery at the parish’s National Heroes Day Salute and Awards Ceremony on Monday.

The annual event, which was staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission in collaboration with the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation, saw the honourees being paid tributes for their service to the betterment of the parish.

The event – which was staged at Norman Square in Savanna-la-Mar, was attended by local dignitaries, family members of the honourees and well-wishers – also featured the traditional flag-raising ceremony to mark National Heroes Day.

Savanna-la-Mar Deputy Mayor Devon Thomas was honoured for his contribution to politics since coming to the fore in 1998 as a councillor in the Frome division. He was hailed as a relentless advocate for social justice and equality,

Danieto Ferguson, who rescued Adrianna ‘Pinky’ Laing from a raging house fire in September 2022, was rewarded with an award for bravery. Laing’s three brothers died in the blaze.

Dawn Robinson-Spence, the driving force behind the Hartford Cultural Group for more than 30 years, was saluted for her contribution to culture, to include imparting cultural lessons to schools and other groups across the parish.

Firefighter Adrian McCallum, who serves as a member of the board of directors at Coke’s View Primary School, received the Community Development Award for his strong advocacy for youth outreach and community development.

Jacqueline Samuels, a retired educator and former principal of the Mount Grace Primary School, was celebrated for her 31-year contribution to the field of education.

Reverend Edna Myre, of the Wesleyan Holiness Church, received an award in the field of religion, having dedicated more than three decades of her life to the ministry, where she became a respected leader and spiritual guide from 1983 to 2018, playing a pivotal role in the growth and development of her congregation and community.

Businessman Donald Gopaulsingh, who operates Singh’s Mini-Mart and is renowned for supporting institutions in and around the Petersfield communities with generous financial contributions and other support, was rewarded in the category of business.

Hyacinth Jackson, a businesswoman who is largely known as the ‘Mother Teresa’ of Orange Hill, was celebrated as a business pioneer with an award in the field of business for her transformative role in the community for over 20 years.

Savanna-la-Mar Mayor Danree Delancy was full of praise for the awardees, saying they have individually made their mark as worthy citizens of the parish.

“I know that we have many other residents of this parish who are deserving of being celebrated as our local heroes but, today, we salute you for your enviable contribution to life in this parish,” said Delancy, who urged the awardees to continue being shining examples to others.

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