Gleaner Honour Awards Winners
HONOURING EXCELLENCE, COMMITMENT & HARD WORK - Nadine, a model of determination
By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter

International model Nadine Willis collects her Merit Award in the category of Entertainment from Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke. She was recognised for breaking the barriers of poverty to become a top model.

THERE WAS a smile on Nadine Willis' face even before she received her Merit Award for entertainment from The Gleaner Company yesterday.

She has defied the odds to become one of the top models on international scene today - no mean feat for a woman who comes from poor circumstances.

"I'm very pleased and very happy. For me, I am here representing the girls in the ghetto. I am feeling pleased that I have actually got this award and I thank The Gleaner for giving it to me," Ms. Willis said.

"I really appreciate everyone who voted for me and I share this with all the young girls who want to be a model. Don't let anyone tell you what you cannot do. Don't stop until you get what you want," she advised them.

It is a lesson Ms. Willis has learnt well, as shown by a biography on her presented yesterday at the 24th Annual Gleaner Honour Awards Luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, and by the Merit Award given to her commending her for "breaking the barriers of poverty with determination to become one of the top models in the world in 2003."

Kay Osborne collects her Merit Award in the category of Public Service for her vigorous commitment in exposing the poor conditions at many of the island's children's homes and places of safety.

KAY OSBORNE

Another Merit Award for public service was presented to Kay Osborne. The recognition represents a key milestone in her ongoing fight for the rights of state wards, said Ms. Obsorne, the woman who brought public attention to abuses occurring in several local children's homes and places of safety.

"It validates not only my work but that of
an army of organisations which have been working for dispossessed children for a long time. It's a good milestone. It allows me leverage to
continue the work I have started," she told The Gleaner.

MOLLY RHONE

Molly Rhone, immediate past president of the Jamaica Netball Association, was delighted at the Award for Sports given to her association and the Jamaican netball team for their performance during the World Championships, held in Jamaica, last year.

"We are very proud of our achievements in netball and we'll continue to work to bring pride to our country through sport," said Mrs. Rhone, who is now president of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).

DIONNE BROWN

Standing nearby was Dionne Brown, the 2003 top performer worldwide in the GCE A'Level subject, general paper. She was one of six students at various educational levels, who received Gleaner Honour Awards for Excellence in one of two new categories, Education. She said the award motivates her to work harder to achieve her goals and realise her full potential.

PROFESSOR ISHENKUMBA KAHWA

Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa was also thinking of the future.

"I take it very seriously," said the professor, who received the Gleaner Honour Award for Excellence in Science and Technology.

"It is very gratifying to see recognition of work, which is fun to do, but also to see (that) people think it's making a difference. It shows you what we can do but it is also a responsibility in terms of what we must do. It's very humbling," Professor Kahwa said.

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Published Friday, January 09, 2004