The contest launched in November as part of BVI Culture & Tourism Month and required contestants to submit their written innovative poems along with a multimedia aspect such as a video, photograph, artwork, or performance.

A’Nia and Nilani’s poem entitled, “We Were Wondering” is a spoken-word piece with imagery that details highlights, sights and sounds of what guests will experience in the BVI.

The other Category 1 winners include Samuel Penn and Zaed Chalwell, both of Century House Montessori School BVI. They both tied with Ajanaѐ Estridge of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School as second-place winners in this category.

Nicklous Kanhai of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College topped Category 2 while Olivia Freeman of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College took the second-place in Category 2.

Nicklous’ poem, “BVILOVE, A Shining Love”, personifies BVI Love by explaining to readers that it is inescapable and is everywhere you go and in everything you do.

Junior Minister for Tourism Sharie de Castro said it is so inspiring to see young people using the written and spoken word to promote the BVI.

“These courageous and talented young people demonstrated the ability to express themselves with amazing depth and clarity through the arts. Well done to all the participants and congratulations to the winners,” de Castro said

Meanwhile, Director of Tourism, Clive McCoy said reading the entries was a refreshing experience.

“This competition comes at the right time. Not only do they emphasize the remarkable talent of our youth, but all entries were inspiring. They forced us to take time to refresh and connect with the poets who gave their unique perspectives of what the BVI offers our guests and residents alike,” McKoy said.

First-place winners in Category 1 received an Apple iPad Air with accessories and an iTunes gift card. The first-place winner in Category 2 received an iPad Pro with accessories and an iTunes gift card. The entries were judged by a panel of local professors, multimedia specialist and aesthetes.