BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth:

NINETEEN RESIDENTS of St Elizabeth were on Monday awarded for contribution to the growth and development of the parish.

The residents were awarded in the categories of: education, community service, social service, religion, tourism, politics and policing during a civic ceremony held at Independence Park, Black River.

Casmarine Daley, cultural parish organiser, told The Gleaner the honourees, "needed to be commended, because it will give them a sense of fulfilment, because they need to be appreciated".

The ceremony was filled with pomp and pageantry. More than seven uniformed groups were on show.

One of the honourees, Caswell Daley, of Newmarket, told The Gleaner he was "happy, elated and very satisfied. This gives me the desire to continue serving."

In his vote of thanks, awardee Godfrey Watson said the group was humbled to have been selected to be honoured.

He said though their contribution to the parish was not for the purpose of recognition, they were grateful for the honour.

- Nackeshia Tomlinson