Award: Vincentian Youth Ambassador

Roland Connor is committed to empowering youth and promoting human rights, children's rights, and social protection systems. With a solid professional background and a passion for community service, Roland has demonstrated exemplary leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others through education, psychosocial support, and active involvement in his local community.
Over the years, Roland has held various key roles, including enumerator and consultant for national surveys, such as labour force, housing, and living conditions surveys, where he provided valuable data to support national development. His work as a CFS (Child Protection) Facilitator, providing children with psychosocial support and mental health services, reflects his deep dedication to vulnerable populations. He has also served as a teacher assistant, online tutor, and Spanish teacher at various institutions, helping students overcome challenges and achieve academic success.
In addition to his professional roles, Roland has shown exceptional leadership in his community. He was the President of the RBTT Young Leaders Project, where he focused on youth empowerment, and has been an active member of several organizations, including the Rose Hall Methodist Church Youth Fellowship, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Youth Club, and the Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM). His community engagement also includes serving as the Rose Hall Light Up and Nine-Morning Committee coordinator and secretary for ULEDO Inc.
Roland's academic background includes pursuing a BSc in Management from Ashworth College, United States of America, a Diploma in Forensic Science, and various teaching, leadership, and child protection certifications. He has completed specialised training in action to end child sexual exploitation and abuse through UNICEF. He has earned awards for his outstanding academic performance, leadership, and contributions to extracurricular activities, including being named the Valedictorian and Most Outstanding Student at Petit Bordel Secondary School.
Roland has earned awards at national competitions and is recognized for his public speaking abilities, leadership, discipline, and commitment to community service. 

Misha Young is an accomplished youth leader and educator and has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering positive change and development within her community. Her leadership is highlighted through her role as President of the Calliaqua Police Youth Club, where she has led initiatives to empower young people and foster community solidarity. Her active involvement as a member of the Junior Council for the Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines underscores her dedication to youth mentorship and development. The Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has also awarded her the prestigious Chief Commissioner’s Award. Misha’s leadership journey began as Head Girl at St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, where she honed her communication and organisational skills while serving as a role model to her peers. This early experience laid the foundation for her ongoing commitment to guiding and uplifting the youth in her community. As a Social Science Teacher at St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown since October 2021, Misha has demonstrated a passion for inclusive education by creating engaging learning environments and providing tailored support to students, including those with hearing impairments. Misha’s adaptability and ability to lead by example inspire those around her, while her volunteer efforts extend beyond the classroom to broader community initiatives. Misha Young is a beacon of leadership, service, and dedication, a true advocate for youth and community development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Adia Daniel is an 18-year-old Vincentian youth advocate who exemplifies a strong commitment to leadership and community service. She aims to amplify youth representation and build inclusive avenues for youth development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through leadership, advocacy, and service. She is passionate about performing arts, wildlife adventures, youth mentorship, and climate advocacy.  

Adia’s leadership and advocacy roles include serving as the National Youth Mental Health Focal Point, where she represents Caribbean youth at regional and international fora, designs mental health initiatives, and mobilises youth to address the stigma surrounding mental health. As a Young Leader in the Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, she mentors young women and organisms activities and campaigns. Her role as a United Nations Climate Action Speaker underscores her advocacy for youth inclusion in global climate change discussions. At the same time, her participation as a Climate Change Sector on the SVG Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Youth highlights her collaborative efforts on youth relating to climate initiatives.

In community service, Adia co-founded In-Transit Export’s Loyal Hearts Ad Alta, leading performances, auditions, and projects that promote artistic expression and address social issues. She also initiated the “Counsellors for Change” project as Peer Counsellors President, which engaged students with psychologists on World Mental Health Day. She also led a Youth Mental Health and Climate Change Webinar this year to educate youth on the interconnectedness of these critical topics and foster collaborative solutions.

Adia’s accolades include being a Youth Delegate at the SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit (2024), a Climate Activist Speaker at the UNICEF Executive Board Meeting (2024), and receiving the Chief Commissioner’s Award from the Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2023. She has also earned the Dr. Marguerite Rose’s Peer Mentoring Award, the GHS Student Life Award for Commitment to Student Life, and the Rene Baptiste Culture Award.

Her educational achievements feature her Honour Roll status at St. Vincent Girls’ High School in 2023 with 11 CSEC subjects, excelling in sciences, languages, and social studies. She is pursuing studies at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, focusing on Biology, Chemistry, Law, and Communications.

Professionally, Adia gained experience as an Administrative Intern at the General Employees’ Co-operative Credit Union in 2023 and as a Legal Intern at Thomas & Barnwell Law Chambers this year.

Anna Warrican is an aspiring pharmacist, biotechnology specialist, and bio/chemical engineer committed to advancing healthcare through research and innovation. She is passionate about improving patient care and public health, aiming to contribute to sustainable solutions in drug development, chemical processing, and medical technology. She also enjoys playing the piano, creative writing, and exploring environmental science and technology trends.

Currently pursuing studies at St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, Anna is an active volunteer, serving as Vice President and Head of the Chemistry Department for the Intellect Collective Club and a member of the Environmental Science Club. She previously attended the St. Vincent Girls' High School, where she excelled academically and earned several awards, including the Sol Award for Most Outstanding Student and the Norma Keizer Award for Leadership.

Anna's professional experience includes an apprenticeship at the SVG Pharmaceutical Association Pharmacy, where she gained hands-on experience in pharmaceutical operations. 
Her leadership and community involvement extend to the Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where she held various roles, including member of the No. 1 Kingstown Girl Guides Company and the No. 23 Ranger Guide Unit. Anna has received multiple awards for her contributions, including the Chief Commissioner's Award for exemplary growth in guiding and the Tamira Browne Adventure Award.

Thalia DeShong has a deep commitment to youth advocacy and community engagement. Currently pursuing studies at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, Thalia serves as the President of the Business Association, where she leads initiatives to promote student involvement and organise events. Her leadership journey began early, serving as the Chairperson of the No. 23 Rangers for three consecutive terms. In this role, she fostered teamwork and guided youth empowerment initiatives, earning recognition for her dedication to personal and community growth. Thalia was celebrated with the Chief Commissioner Award for outstanding leadership and commitment during the World Thinking Day Ceremony 2023.

Additionally, she served as House Captain at the St. Vincent Girls High School, leading and motivating her peers, further honing her leadership skills. She is actively involved in the St. Vincent and the Girl Guides Association Junior Council, continuing to work towards empowering the next generation of young leaders. Thalia's leadership extends beyond youth organisations; she has gained experience in event management, social media content creation, and customer service through roles at Ultimate Innovative Services Ltd, the Customs and Excise Department, and as a protocol officer for the CELAC conference.

Thalia has excellent public speaking, event planning, and social media management skills. There is no doubt that her skills, coupled with her strong leadership background, make her a committed and effective advocate for the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Rayana Patrick is an experienced professional with a physical planning and education background. She is pursuing a BSc in Forest Management at the National Ilan University, Taiwan, and has completed advanced studies in Mandarin at the National Taiwan Normal University. 

Rayana also has a strong youth advocacy and leadership background, mainly through her involvement in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, where she actively promotes leadership, empowerment, and community service among young people. 

In addition to her youth advocacy, Rayana was a Gold Awardee of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme in 2019, recognising young individuals who demonstrate leadership, service, and resilience through personal and community-focused challenges. 

Through her creative work as an author of "The Little Seed," Rayana has also used storytelling to advocate youth empowerment, aiming to inspire younger generations to develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

In all her roles, Rayana consistently prioritises youth engagement, empowerment, and advocacy. She is a passionate leader committed to fostering growth and opportunities for young people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and beyond.