Port of Spain, Trinidad. December 20, 2022: Angostura® has awarded grants to six youths who have been faced with challenges and adversities. The funds are for them to pursue their career and education goals, after they were nominated by the public for the 2022 Angostura Youth Champions Awards.
The Corporate Social Responsibility initiative was launched in 2018 as the Angostura Champions Awards. This year, the biennial Award was realigned to focus on the youth who have persevered through personal challenges and adversities to make a significant difference to their lives, the lives of others and to our national community and renamed the Angostura Youth Champions Awards. The public was invited to nominate persons in two categories – 12 – 19 years and 20 – 25 years.
Angostura® received over two hundred and seventy-seven nominations from the public, out of which six finalists were shortlisted. There were three finalists in each category. The winner in each category received $40,000 and the other four finalists received $10,000 each from Angostura®.
The winner in the 12–19-year category is Rowan McEwen. At school, he advocated World Down Syndrome Day, as well as World Autism Awareness. Recognizing that autism was a challenge not only for himself, but for others, he continues to be an advocate for autism. He is now the Creative Writing teacher at Palmera Learning Centre in St. James, teaching neurodivergent children. The other finalists are Hasan Simon and Jehoshua Williams.
The winner in the 20–25-year category is Tiajuana Hernandez. Tiajuana is a musician and music teacher who plays and teaches steelpan. Although she was diagnosed and continues to battle with Lupus, she remains a Youth Ambassador for the Voice of Lupus Foundation and mentors other lupus patients. Tiajuana still finds the time to run her own small businesses and collects items for charity work in her community. She came from very humble beginnings but took great pride in her community of Maracas Valley. The other finalists are Ajamu Crosby and Jubliee Paul.
Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath said, “The Angostura Youth Champions Awards represent the Company’s commitment to our Corporate Social Responsibility in support of the continued growth and development of our future leaders and advocates. Angostura® is always keen to assist those most in need, in the creation of healthier, more empowered communities across our nation. You, our Youth Champions have demonstrated, through your personal advocacy and commitment that challenge is but a bridge to excellence and achievement.”
Head Judge of the Angostura Youth Champions Awards and Executive Director of the Coosal’s Group of Companies, Ms. Tricia Coosal said, “These young people have evoked in me, overwhelming feelings of hope, inspiration, talent and respect. They are shining lights, driving forces and role models for their peers, communities and the nation. They have overcome personal and environmental adversities that will understandably, withhold any normal person from doing anything productive, to achieve great things with their young lives.”
Angostura® congratulates all the finalists of the 2022 Angostura Youth Champions Awards.