Announcing 2022 George Odlum Essay Prize Shortlist

Jako Productions and the George Odlum Foundation have announced the 2022 Secondary School George Odlum Essay Shortlist.

George Odlum (1934-2003) was regarded as a colossal Caribbean leader, one of the region’s best orators, and one of its most charismatic and controversial politicians. The essay contest together with Dr. Reynolds forthcoming book, They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician, is part of an effort to continue celebrating and honoring the life of George Odlum, with the hope of keeping the heroic accomplishments of George Odlum alive, fostering nation-building, and forging national pride and identity.

Earlier in the year, each of the nation’s twenty-five secondary schools was invited to compete in the essay contest by submitting up to three student essays on “The Greatness of George Odlum.” The essays had to be between 1000 to 1200 words, and were judged based on content, structure, language, and creativity/originality.

The top three contestants, and hence the shortlisted essayists for the 2022 Secondary School George Odlum Essay Prize were, in alphabetical order, Davianne Alexander of Beanefield Comprehensive Secondary School, Teia-Marie Alexander of Bonne Terre Preparatory School, and Cyann Alfred of the Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School. The hosts of the essay contest invites the public to read the shortlisted essays and submit comments by visiting the links below.

Davianne Alexander—The Greatness of George Odlum
Beanefield Comprehensive Secondary School

Cyann Alfred—The Greatness of George Odlum
Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School

Teia-Marie Alexander—The Greatness of George Odlum
Bonne Terre Preparatory School

Besides the shortlisted essayists, the judges made honorary mention of Usana Antoine of Beanefield Comprehensive Secondary School, Ariel Bissette and Hayley St. Catherine both of Bonne Terre Preparatory School, and McKayla Olliviere of Castries Comprehensive Secondary School.

The winners of the competition will be announced at the official launch of They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician slated for February 2023. Presentation of awards will also take place at the book launch.

The first-place candidate will be required to read his/her essay at the launch and be interviewed on national television as the 2022 Winner of the Contest.

The short-listed contestants will each receive a tablet, while the first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $1000, the second place $500, and the third place $300. The four honorary mention contestants will each receive a $100.

All contestants and participating secondary schools will receive a complimentary copy of They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician. The first-place contestant and representing school will each receive the full set of Dr. Reynolds’ books. In addition, the short-listed contestants (top three) will each receive a copy of A History of St. Lucia (2012), and The History of the Labor Movement in St. Lucia, 1945-1974 (1994).

The George Odlum Foundation and Jako Productions would like to take this opportunity to say season greetings to all, and to thank all the secondary schools, students, teachers and principals for their participation and partnership in this worthy venture. They would also like to thank the judges for undertaking their tasks and delivering in a timely manner. And would like to say special thanks to their sponsors for their generous support of the essay contest and the publication of They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician.

So far, the sponsors and collaborators, both corporate and private, include Massy Stores St. Lucia, Du Boulay Industries, Theobalds & Associates, General Security Services, Invest St. Lucia, Freezone Management Authority, Saint Lu Woodworking, MSOLE, Cultural Development Foundation, Creative Industries, Export Saint Lucia, and Stan Joseph.