By ANTHONY MINOTT - Portmore Star writer
anthony minott - Young artist Ricardo Edwards (left) from Independence City Primary poses with Ms. Gordon, his teacher-librarian. Ricardo won the 10-12 age group of the Kiss Cake Art Competition.
ELEVEN YEAR-OLD RICARDO Edwards continued the great artistic tradition of Portmore's Independence City Primary by copping the Kiss Cake 'Draw a Kiss Character' competition recently.
Ricardo, a resident of the Bridgeport community in the Sunshine City, won the 10-12 age group beating out hundreds of participants in schools all across the island.
At the award ceremony held at Quantum Advertisements, New Kingston Shopping Centre, Ricardo was given a Play Station and his school received a gift voucher valued at $25,000 redeemable at Sangster's Book Store.
Joining in the moment was the school's (acting) principal Mrs. Jasenta Jarrett-O'Connor, and teacher/librarian Miss Millicent Gordon. Ricardo's Kiss Character depicted love and peace, as his cartoon character showed the peace sign and a pleasant face.
At the ceremony Ricardo impressed Michael Atterbury, manager of Sweet Heart Corporation, manufacturers of the Kiss Cake brand, not just by his art work, but the fluency with which he read the award letter.
Ricardo told THE PORTMORE STAR that he felt "good" about his accomplishment. "I felt good winning the competition. I love to draw and this competition brought out my (drawing) talent," he said.
CONFIDENT
The Grade six student said that he was confident of winning as he believed in his ability. "Last year I won an art competition so I knew I could do it again," he added. Ricardo noted that his mother and father are also proud of him. When asked what he wanted to be in the future this was what he had to say: "An artist and an architect."
His teacher Miss Gordon said that a colleague of hers Miss Rosebelle Gillies pointed out to her Ricardo's talent and she worked from there. "I was told about Ricardo's artistic skills by his grade four teacher Ms. Gillies. When I saw his art work, I was absolutely impressed especially his attention to details and use of colour...amazing work!" she said.
She added that Ricardo usually draws things for teachers at school and he is helpful and a diligent student. The Acting Principal Mrs. Jarrett-O'Connor said that Ricardo's performance was "exceptional". "This child is a real artist in the making. All we, (teachers) need to do is to encourage him," she said.
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