Kerriesha Skeete Is Third Peace Ambassador 

The selfless act of saving a man in distress on a bus in November, landed Kerriesha Kimberley Skeete with a Bravery Medal, presented to her by President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, during the Independence Day Parade on November 30.

The very next day, for her Act of Random Kindness, the 16-year old was presented with the Peace Ambassador title – the highest award from the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT) under its Schools’ Positive Behavioural Management Programme (SPBMP).

The presentation was made by Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, at the Frederick Smith Secondary School, Trents, St. James, where Kerriesha is a student.

Young Kerriesha, the third ambassador awarded for this year, and fifth since the SPBMP embarked on the award scheme, was a bit surprised but grateful to be awarded with the designation “Peace Ambassador 2022” title.

After receiving the Peace Ambassador sash and reciting the oath, Kerriesha told media representatives she planned to work towards putting a stop to bullying.  

Pointing out that she had been a victim of bullying, herself, and because of being overweight, she stressed: “I’ll like to stop it; not only just at school but hopefully everywhere… and I really do not like it. I really don’t like it because it happens a lot.”

Kerriesha’s recognition came as a result of her act of rushing to the assistance of an elderly gentleman who was having a seizure on a public service vehicle and performing first aid.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, in commending Kerriesha, said there was still some good in the schools.  “There is a lot of good in our schools and our young children, and our students need to see positive examples so that they can emulate the behaviours that can conduce to well-being,” she stated.

While challenging students at Frederick Smith Secondary School to look at the positive examples set by all peace ambassadors and ask themselves what good they too could do, she stressed it was all about doing good.  She also praised Kerriesha for putting into practice the lessons taught by her cosmetology teacher, Tahirah Payne.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw said: “Children, you never ever know when the things that you learn in school, and at home as well, can come together in a way that you can help someone or that you can help yourself. This tells us that all that you have gained from school or that you are gaining, you should cherish. Always listen to your teachers and your principals. They are not going to put you wrong.  Your parents, your guardians, they are not going to put you wrong.”

While emphasizing that they were in school to learn values, attitudes and skills, the Chief Education Officer said: “I encourage you therefore to demonstrate positive attitudes, show that you have values because it is my belief and the belief of the Ministry of Education and the Minister that all of you can be Peace Ambassadors.”

The designation of the METVT’s Peace Ambassador is the highest award given to any student between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. To be assigned such, a student should have demonstrated a positive action of national significance.

On June 17, 12-year old Emmanuel Cherubin of St. Leonard’s Boys’ School was awarded the second Peace Ambassador title for 2022, for his act of bravery in saving an elderly man from drowning on Easter Monday, April 18. 

He followed in the footsteps of 13-year-old, Najari Chase of Deighton Griffith Secondary School, who was awarded the title on Friday, April 8, for an act of honesty towards a British visitor. (Pic credit CBC)