Hurricanes Irma and Maria not only caused significant infrastructural damage in the region; they also interrupted the flow of the Courts OECS Reading Competition in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In response to the catastrophic events, Courts redirected resources to hurricane-ravished counterparts across the Caribbean, causing a delay in the hosting of the competition finals, which was initially scheduled for October 12. Despite the delay however, Courts has honoured its commitment to realizing this year’s event, and though later than usual, the finals has been set for Wednesday December 13.

The finals will feature presentations from 7 schools:

Brighton Methodist Kent Cain Jr.

Kingstown Prep Christian Joseph

Lodge Village Gov't Jonneil Stowe

St. Mary’s R.C Ethan Balcombe

Spring Methodist Sheya Weekes

Stubbs Gov't Katelyn Bobb

Windsor Primary J'Tsi Yon Simmons

The finalists will compete in two categories, the reading of a narrative and the presentation of a news story. Last year’s winner was Kaylee Robertson of the Stubbs Government School, who placed 3rd in the OECS competition in St. Kitts.