JETAA Jamaica's 20th Anniversary Essay Competition Supported by High Schools Across Jamaica

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JETAA Jamaica

 Seated L-R: Athaliah Brown (Immaculate Conception High School), Brihanna Curtis (Holy Childhood High School), Abbie-Gale Harrison, Discovery Bay High School (STEM Academy). Middle row L-R: Romario Grant (York Castle High School), Janine Williams (Immaculate Conception High School) and Shamoya Cheverria (Immaculate Conception High School). Back row, L-R: Dr. Novelette McLean-Francis (Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education and Youth), Dr. Kay Dunkley (Dean, Humanities and Liberal Arts, Mico University College), His Excellency Mr. Yasuhiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, Mr. Orrette Muir, President (JETAA Jamaica)


The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association of Jamaica (JETAA Jamaica) successfully hosted the Awards Ceremony for its 20th Anniversary Essay Competition on 27th February 2023 at the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), 2D Camp Road, Kingston, Jamaica. The event was endorsed by the Ministry of Education and Youth (MoEY) as well as the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica (EoJ).

The participants responded to the prompt: “O-mo-te-na-shi” embodies the Japanese Spirit of service and hospitality for which Japan has become renowned. Discuss three (3) ways in which service and hospitality are key indicators of a country’s development.

The essays displayed evidence of detailed research, which enhanced the content. From the essays, readers learnt that service and hospitality will aid a country’s economic, social and cultural development, generally and, in particular, will boost the education levels of citizens, reduce crime, create success in the tourism sector as well as in other industries.

His Excellency Mr. Yasuhiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, was in attendance at the event and during his address, said the exposure given to the students could lead them to become "more curious about Japan" and, as a result, become "future participants in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme". He also expressed gratitude to JETAA Jamaica for hosting the essay competition and promoting cultural exchange between Jamaica and Japan.

And during her remarks, Dr. McLean-Francis, Senior Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Youth, (MoEY), who brought greetings on behalf of the Ministry, highlighted the long-standing partnership between Jamaica and Japan in the field of education and curriculum development. She also lauded JETAA Jamaica for giving back to Jamaica through its volunteerism.

The guest speaker, Dr. Kay Dunkley, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Liberal Arts at the Mico University College and former JET participant, with her hilarious brand of storytelling, brought comic relief to the proceedings, which the audience appreciated.

Eleven (11) students, representing Immaculate Conception High School, Holy Childhood High School, York Castle High School, Prospect College, Westwood High School and Discovery Bay High School (STEM Academy) were recognised for their participation in the competition and for their essay writing skills. All eleven (11) students were given certificates of participation from JETAA Jamaica and tokens courtesy of the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica.

The top prizes were awarded to the following students:

First Place:  Athalia Brown—Immaculate Conception High School

Second Place: Romario Grant—York Castle High School

Third Place: Abbie-Gale Harrison—Discovery Bay High School (STEM Academy)


JETAA Jamaica 2023
First place winner, Athaliah Brown of Immaculate Conception High School receiving her prize from His Excellency, Mr. Fujiwara Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica while Mr. Terrike Brown, Master of Ceremony and member of JETAA Jamaica looks on.

JETAA Jamaica
Second place winner, Romario Grant of York Castle High school, receiving his prize from His Excellency, Mr. Fujiwara Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica while Mr. Terrike Brown, Master of Ceremony and member of JETAA Jamaica looks on.

JETAA Jamaica
Third place winner, Abbie-Gale Harrison of Discovery Bay High School (STEM Academy) winner, receiving her prize from His Excellency, Mr. Fujiwara Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica while Mr. Terrike Brown, Master of Ceremony and member of JETAA Jamaica looks on.

JETAA Jamaica
Winners from Left-Right: Athalia Brown, Romario Grant and Abbie-Gale Harrison


JETAA Jamaica
Dr. Kay Dunkley, Dean, Humanities and Liberal Arts, Mico University College, taking the audience down memory lane as she shares the life lessons she learnt from teaching and living in Japan, lessons she thinks everyone needs to learn


Special thanks to the judges and members of JETAA Jamaica who made this event possible – Janette Fuller, Dr. Kay Dunkley, Tereka Brown, Sheena Jarrett, Maria Mutidjo, Marsha Dennie and Terrike Brown.  

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association of Jamaica (JETAA Jamaica) was established in 2002 and operates as a non-profit organisation. The JETAA Jamaica is comprised of persons who worked as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in primary, junior high and senior high schools across Japan under the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. The mission of JETAA Jamaica is to assist in enhancing relations between Jamaica and Japan; promote Japanese culture within Jamaica and serve as a support group for former, current and prospective Jamaican JET participants.

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