Young talent from the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has once again turned heads across the Caribbean region, clinching multiple top awards at the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Foundation’s 2025 Environmental Poster and Essay Competitions. The annual contest, which centers on linking environmental protection to sustainable regional tourism, saw local students dominate national-level categories and earn a prestigious regional distinction, cementing the country’s reputation for nurturing creative, environmentally conscious youth.
Across both the essay and poster divisions, Antigua and Barbuda’s student competitors secured all national championship titles, with one participant going on to take second place in the broader regional competition. The impressive haul of awards is being widely celebrated as evidence of the strong potential and skill held by the nation’s younger generation.
To honor the winning students, an official prize-giving ceremony was hosted last Thursday at the headquarters of Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Tourism. Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez personally presented the trophies, cash rewards, and other prizes to the victorious participants, taking time to praise each student for their creative vision, commitment to environmental protection, and academic dedication.
Leading the group of national winners is Mckenzi Edwards, a student at New Bethel SDA School, who claimed first place in both the junior division essay and poster competitions. Edwards walked away with a $200 USD cash prize for each of his two winning entries, totaling $400 USD in rewards.
In the senior division of the environmental poster competition, Sophia Cao from St. Anthony’s Secondary School took the national top spot, earning a $200 USD cash prize for her work.
The highlight of the event came when Kiara Kwenga, a student at Christ the King High School and Antigua and Barbuda’s sitting Junior Minister of Tourism, earned regional acclaim for her essay, taking second place in the competition open to all Caribbean participants. For her achievement, Kwenga received a brand-new Lenovo laptop, while her school was awarded a $1,500 USD grant to support student programs.
Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Minister Fernandez emphasized the broader meaning of the students’ wins beyond the competition itself. He praised the young competitors for channeling their creative abilities into raising awareness about environmental stewardship and its critical connection to the Caribbean’s tourism-dependent economy, which is the backbone of Antigua and Barbuda’s national income.
“The FCCA competitions create an invaluable space for young people across our region to show off their creativity, while also building a deeper personal understanding of why protecting our natural home matters,” Fernandez said in his remarks. “These students have represented Antigua and Barbuda with incredible distinction, and every one of us in the country is incredibly proud of what they have accomplished here.”
The FCCA Foundation’s Environmental Poster and Essay Competitions are held every year to encourage secondary and primary school students across the Caribbean to engage with key topics around climate action, environmental conservation, sustainable development, and the way these priorities intersect with the regional tourism sector. The industry relies heavily on the appeal of pristine beaches, coral reefs, and natural landscapes, making environmental awareness among young people a critical long-term investment for regional economies.
Following the ceremony, the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment issued a statement extending congratulations to all competition participants, with special recognition for the winning students, their families, teachers, and school administrators who supported their preparation for the contest. The ministry also encouraged all young people across Antigua and Barbuda to continue taking part in similar educational programs that build environmental responsibility while contributing to long-term national growth.