What is next for Governor General’s awardees?

The 15 recipients of the Governor General’s Personal Awards who were recognized during the Inaugural Investiture Ceremony on Thursday expressed their gratitude for being honoured for their service to Antigua & Barbuda.
The honorees were awarded for their contribution to tourism, religious work, boating and charities. And, although they come from different backgrounds, they all have one thing in common: love for what they do, whether it be in a charitable organisation or through their employment.
“We cannot change the world if we do not change ourselves,” said Joshua Joyce, a student from the Ottos Comprehensive School who along with his three of
his friends the Halo Humanit-arian Award for coming to the aid of an elderly woman earlier this year.
Joyce credited his caring nature for those in his neighbourhood and the presence of older persons who “taught [him] to know the value of life”.
Ariana Joseph, another recipient of the Halo Humanitarian Award credited her parents for her caring nature as well.
Inez Bartley, who has had over 50 years of experience in the tourism industry at the Blue Waters Hotel said, “I hope that I can encourage young people to take pride in their work and that they can reach the same heights that I have reached.”
Wingrove Peters, who has also worked for around the same time at the hotel said that his people-oriented nature has allowed him
to be of national service to his customers and to the nation.
“We are over the moon here at Blue Waters and we are proud of our workers as they have encouraged young folks and continue to be great role models,” said the General Manager at the Blue Waters Hotel Allistair Forrest.
Forrest spoke highly of the award recipients and stated that several restaurants at the hotel have even been named after their employees, such as the “Barthley Restaurant” which is named after Inez Bartley. He also stated that plans may have to be made for Peters to be honoured in a similar way.
Valerie Gonsalves-Barreiro, who received an award for her contributions to civil society stated that a quote she lived by throughout her life of national service is, “always be yourself, because the people that matter mind and people that matter don’t mind”.
The recipients do not plan to stop helping others anytime soon, as the high honours received have pushed them to do more for their community.
“I plan to share my knowledge and experience with the generation to come. You will always come across different persons, but you must be kind of person who loves people,” Peters said.
As she furthers her studies in Biology and Chemistry, Joseph plans to continue to join organizations like the Children’s Wish Foundation in Canada and work at a health centre there later this year.
Joyce hopes to continue helping around in his community as he already does as it is “a human thing to do”.
Other recipients included Team Wadadli members Dr Nicholas Fuller, Peter Smith Bailey and John Hall who aided in raising over $500,000 for the St John Hospice; OCS students Leslie-Ann Henry, Jarell Peters, Niquan Antoine for their random act of kindness in aiding an elderly woman; and Dr Carl James, Rev Dr Donald Davis and Canon Reverend Lesley Isaac OBE who were recognised for the social, academic and spiritual development in the Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora abroad.