GM at the Co-operators General Insurance Company, Anton Lovell (left), presents a trophy and prizes to second place winner, Britney Sealy (right).
Human Resources and Marketing Manager, Cheryl Forde (left), presenting to third place winner, Rondell Trimm of Harrison College.
The Co-operators General Insurance Company Speak-Off is an annual competition where students get an opportunity to learn about insurance while at the same time developing valuable skills, such as writing, speaking, research, public speaking and confidence.
Now in its second year, the competition started with 10 students from seven schools; with seven children from five schools making it through to the finals, according to Human Resources and Marketing Manager at the Co-operators General Insurance Company, Cheryl Forde.
She spoke to The Barbados Advocate recently after their Speak-Off Competition at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
She said that one of the reasons why they had decided to host a competition of this nature was because they believe in the development of the young people in this island.
“As you know, Co-operators General Insurance is a company that believes in the development of our youth and we sponsor a lot of programmes that develop our youth because we believe that our youth are our future.
“Hence, we decided, why not do a programme that will encourage the children – the youth of our country – to get to learn about insurance?”
“As a result, all of the topics that are selected for the competition are related to this area,” she said.
“So therefore, we selected insurance related topics – topics that we know will benefit them as they grow and develop.
“They have to get insurance when they want a car or home, so if we give them these topics then it will help them when they move on from their school or whatever. Not only willit help them in their speech, but also in their writing.
“It is not a debate – it is a speak-off, so you speak about the topic and you try to convince the persons, that this is what is appropriate and not appropriate.”
The judges for this year’s competition were Motivational Speaker and Coach, Kenny Bovell; Attorney-At-Law, Nikita Vaughan; and Sherwin Greenidge of Lions Club International.
Some of the areas that they judged the young people on were the introduction, the content of their material and the conclusion.
Her advice to students who want to participate in the competition next year, is to practice. “Practice, practice, practice and you must be dedicated and committed.
“It is not a competition where you just come in and decide that you are going to do something today and that’s it.” (PJT)
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