The top athletes and schools at this year’s 2008 Inter-Schools Athletic Championship, were honored at a prize giving ceremony Wednesday morning at Financial Centre Board Room, Bank of St Lucia (BOSL).Prominent guests in attendance included, Assistant General Manager of BOSL, Joanna Charles; Youth and Sports Officers, Victor Reid and Patrick Mathurin.

During her opening remarks, Charles told students: "Today represents not the end but another plateau in your lives. Today represents the recognition of your hard work and dedication. This ceremony however must serve to fan the flames of the desire you have to succeed and excel."The bank official described their performance at the championships as "stellar" given the fact 13 records were broken. She would like to see athletes progress and feels avenues must be created to nurture and develop their talent.

Charles pointed out that St Lucia has always produced a high caliber of sports personalities, but many have not been able to get to the next level. She called on the private sector to assist groups and associations whether through volunteerism or cash donations in order to improve the lives of St Lucians. BOSL has played their part. Last year the bank donation over $90,000 towards the development of sports in St Lucia. From that amount, $30,000 went towards the sponsorship of the Inter-School Athletic Championship.

The following awards were presented to the top individual performers at the Primary Schools Sports Meet which took place at the George Odlum Stadium. Under-Nine Female, Sharnique Ambrose, District Six; Under Nine Male, Kacy Harper, District Five; Under-11 Female, Gabrielle Tobierre, District Six; Under-11 Male, Zaire Monrose, District One; Kinto Goulab, District Six; Under-13 Female, Princess George, District Six; Under-13 Male, Santrand Joseph, District Six.

Top individual performers at the Inter-Secondary Meet were: Division One Male: Lenyn Leonce, St Mary’s College (SMC); Division One Female, Pernelle Mitchell, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS); Division Two Male, Kirk Joseph, SMC; ,Division Two Female, Peterlyn Edward, Anse Ger Secondary School; Division Three Male, Akim Mathurin, VFCSS; Division Three Female, Jeanelle Scheper, St Joseph’s Concent.

Division One Male, SMC. Division One Female, VFCSS; Division Two male, SMC; Division Two Female, VFCSS; Division Three Male, VFCSS; Division Three Female VFCSS. Awards were also presented to the top three secondary schools in the following divisions. Division One Male, (1) SMC; (2) VFCSS; (3) Micoud Secondary School. Division One Female: (1) VFCSS; (2) Choiseul Secondary School; (3) Corinth Secondary School.

Division One Male: (1) SMC; (2) VFCSS; (3) Micoud Secondary School. Division Two Female: (1) VFCSS; (2) St Joseph’s Convent; (3) Anse Ger Secondary School. Division Two Male: (1) SMC; (2) Choiseul Secondary School; (3) VFCSS. Division Three Female, (1) VFCSS; (2) Micoud Secondary School; (3) St Joseph’s Convent. Division Three Male: (1) VFCSS; (2) Choiseul Secondary School; (3) VFCSS.