Basseterre, St. Kitts – Ms. Kaylieyonna Robin, the newly crowned In Ya Kitchen Top Junior Chef, has been recognized for her outstanding culinary skills by the TDC Home and Building Depot on St. Kitts.
In a brief ceremony held at the TDC Home and Building Depot on the Frigate Bay Road, Mr. Iston Williams, Senior Manager, presented the cooking genius with a Whirlpool 30-inch Gas Range valued at over three thousand five hundred dollars for her exceptional performance in the ‘Battle of the MyPlate’ finals.
“On my own behalf, the TDC Home and Building Depot management team and by extension the TDC Group it is my pleasure to present you with this brand-new Whirlpool 30-inch Cooker as the winner of the 2023 In Ya Kitchen Junior Top Chef Competition. We are very proud of your recent success. Congratulations.”
He added, “This gesture is our way of nurturing young talent and promoting culinary excellence within our community. We know you will put this gift to good use, as you continue your culinary journey, Chef Robin”, said Williams.
In accepting the most welcome gift, the beaming young chef expressed her appreciation to the retail store for her efforts in the recently held competition.
“Thank you, Mr. Williams and the TDC Home and Building Depot for this wonderful gift. I am very excited. This stove will surely serve me well,” she said.
The presentation was attended by her proud mother, Dahlia Robin, who is also a bona fide chef, her siblings, the In Ya Kitchen Team, and staff of the TDC Home and Building Depot were on hand to congratulate the young culinary genius.
Robin a fifth former at the Washington Archibald High School out cooked her other two competitors in the cooking showdown on Sunday 17th September, 2023, at the La Cucina Restaurant in the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and The Royal Beach Casino.
Picture – Kaylieyonna Robin, In Ya Kitchen Junior Top Chef poses for a photo with Mr. Iston Williams, Senior Manager, TDC Home and Building Depot (St. Kitts) following the presentation ceremony
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Eight (8) scholars from across the Federation who recently graduated from Public Primary Schools have received the TDC Warren C Tyson Memorial Scholarship from the TDC Group of Companies.
The presentation ceremony was held on Saturday 23rd September 2023, at the TDC Training and Learning Resource Centre on Fort Street, in Basseterre, and were presented by Mr. Nicolas Menon, the Programme Director to the following students:
Alasha Hull
De’morae Prentice
Chrisandra Sanichar
Ajanique McFarlane
Keithesia Thomas
Joshua Finch
Daejahnique Rawlins
Michele Ezquea
In speaking to the new awardees, Mr. Earle Kelly, Group Chairman and CEO applauded the recipients and on their hard work and spoke to the importance of the scholarship and its impact on their lives.
“Congratulations to the new awardees and your parents for your hard work and efforts. We expect great things from you and wish you all the very best and success in the programme. You are now part of a programme that has produced lawyers, doctors, teachers, accountants, and even a Prime Minister, Dr. Terrence Drew, who was himself a beneficiary. I want you to remember this, to achieve success you must remember, the sky is not the limit.”
He also challenged the parents to work to ensure that each awardee receives an experience that goes beyond academic guidance that encourages wholesome development.
“Today, I want to also challenge the parents and guardians. This is a partnership between you and TDC. We will work closely with you to ensure that each child is given the academic guidance and an experience that allows them to recognize their full potential inside and outside the classroom. Thereby, producing men and women who will make all of us proud.”
Now in its forty-second year, the programme has invested over EC$6.1 million and has benefitted two hundred and sixty-seven (267) students, who have established themselves in various fields of endeavour in law, business, education, finance, human resources, and government, to name a few.
The event was also attended by former recipients, proud parents, guardians, Mr. Roger Woodley, Deputy Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, TDC Executive Directors, Senior Managers, Staff of the Human Resources Department, and the media.
Picture – 2023 TDC Warren C Tyson Memorial Scholarships recipients pose for a group photo with their certificates and TDC Group Executive Directors
About the Warren C Tyson Memorial Scholarship Programme
The programme which was introduced in 1981 and named after the company’s first chairman, Mr. Warren Cecil Tyson is designed to assist and support students entering the secondary schools across St. Kitts-Nevis.
These young scholars are eligible to receive financial assistance throughout their secondary and tertiary school tenures. Students are also afforded the opportunity to gain work experience at TDC during their vacations, e.g., Easter, Summer, and Christmas, as well as on Saturdays, which helps them to develop socially and professionally.
Another related benefit is the fact that these students also receive a stipend while at work. Accordingly, the financial and academic benefits plus the experience and maturity that are gleaned from this opportunity are invaluable. Since its inception, approximately 257 students have gone through the program. Today, some of these Warren Tyson Scholars are at University pursuing further studies; while some are now full time employees within the Company, many who hold Managerial and/or Supervisory positions across the Group.
Basseterre, St. Kitts – The TDC Insurance Company Limited on St. Kitts has made a corporate donation to the Silence No More Organisation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence issues affecting men, women, and children.
The heartfelt contribution of five (5) gift baskets filled with a variety of household, personal care products and school supplies were presented to honour of the memory of family members, who tragically lost their lives to domestic violence against women.
Ms. Atisha Byron, Operations Manager, in handing over the baskets to the Ms. Petra McSheen, the Organization’s President, spoke of what the outreach means to the company and its impact.
“The work of the Silence No More Organization aligns with our values and mission to make a positive impact in the community we serve. This corporate gesture allows us to more than ‘give back’. Through your organization, we are showing you we truly care.”
In response, Ms. Petra McSheen, expressed gratitude to company for the generous contribution and its worth.
“These gifts mean a lot to us and to the beneficiaries. It is a symbol of hope and encouragement, and for that we are very grateful.”
The ongoing corporate outreach forms part of TDC Insurance Company Limited’s commitment to support programmes that advance social and community development.
Picture – Staff from the TDC Insurance Company Limited (St. Kitts), members of the Silence No More Organization, and beneficiaries pose for a group photo following the presentation
