Coral Reef Senior High student wins the 2006 Caribbean American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition
LAUDERDALE LAKES – The Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) salutes the winner of the South Florida segment of the National Caribbean American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition. The competition was hosted by the Institute of Caribbean Studies, Washington, D.C., and sponsored locally for students in the tri-county area by the GCACC. Participants submitted essays on the topic: Is Immigration Good for the United States?
Brian Lee of Miami, Florida, submitted the winning essay. Lee, the 17-year-old son of Bernard and Marie Lee, entered as a senior of the Coral Reef Senior High School and submitted a well-researched, thought-provoking paper. “Excellent material!” said Tanya Ragbeer, president of the Chamber. “Brian is a fine young man. The Chamber is proud of his efforts, and we applaud his parents for raising such a bright and socially conscious individual.”
Lee was awarded a $200 US Savings Bond and a plaque of appreciation at the Chamber’s UNIFEST celebration in June where he read his essay to a very attuned and supportive crowd. “The Chamber plans for this to be an annual activity. It is important that we cultivate and encourage our youth to compete and to strive for excellence,” continued Ragbeer.
In June Lee attended the Business Leaders of America National Conference in Nashville, TN, where he competed in the category of economics and placed seventh. He was awarded an academic scholarship to the University of Miami and will enroll this fall as an Engineering major. For now, Lee spends his summer enjoying his favorite pastimes: reading and playing badminton.
“I am excited about winning the award for my essay,” said Lee upon receiving his award, “I know it is an honor to read it to the Caribbean community at Unifest.”
Pictured (l-r): Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, City of Lauderdale Lakes; Brian Lee; Tanya Ragbeer, President of the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (GCACC); Glenn Joseph, Executive Vice President, Institute of Caribbean Studies; Neki Mohan, Reporter/Anchor for Local 10.
