By Natasha Maynard
Taipei, Taiwan, 24th April 2017 – It is always heart-warming when our national students studying abroad are not only making their mark academically but also thriving in leadership roles as well. This is no different of the Kittitians and Nevisians studying at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus. On 14th April, 2017 the Leeward Islands Student Association of Trinidad and Tobago (L.I.S.A.T.T) held elections for the new executive and five of the nine elected positions were captured by nationals from St. Kitts-Nevis.
Devon D. Harris of St. Kitts was elected as President of the organization; the first national to secure this title since fellow St. Paulian Dr. Jenson Stuart Morton (2008/2009). The positon was also once held by Minister of Parliament, the Honourable Konris Maynard. Other nationals who make up the current executive include:
Sasha Liburd (Nevis) – Treasurer
Shyra Wattley (Nevis) – Public Relations Officer
Kishma Archibald (St. Kitts) – Trinity Hall Representative
Doodnauth Sarjoo (Nevis) – Milner Hall Representative
The positions of Vice President, Secretary, Canada Hall Representative and SAL Hall Representative were all captured by Antiguans.
Unlike his fellow nationals who had no one else vying for their respective posts, Harris had an opponent in the person of Shimon Beazer who is from Antigua. With Antiguans comprising most of the voting population, it was predicted by most that Harris would have lost. However, Harris’ prior leadership roles such as President of the St. Paul’s Branch of the Anglican Young People’s Association (A.Y.P.A.) and Vice President of the Island Council of said organization, coupled with his experience and dedication as a hard-working teacher proved that he was the better candidate for the position.
In an exclusive interview, Harris spoke about how he felt having attained the Presidency.
“I’m quite pleased to have been chosen especially knowing my chances of winning were slim,” Harris said. “This could only mean that the association believes in me and I hereby promise to fulfil my duties in a way that will benefit not just the association but the university in general,” he added.
The new executive immediately met and started working to fulfil their vision of not only promoting a stronger bond amongst people from the Leeward Islands but also creating a more regional identity through charity work, social events and fundraisers.
Activities for their one year term in office have already been planned. In keeping with their vision, some of the events will be geared towards publicising the distinctiveness of the countries that are a part of the Leeward Islands while simultaneously highlighting their similarities which create that unique Caribbean Identity. Such events include flag raising ceremonies of the countries that make up the association, independence breakfasts and a display that promotes the diverse cultures in order to sensitize the student body about the LISATT countries.
This executive endorses the idea of integration and as such has organized activities that will include other national associations such as Barbados, Guyana and St Lucia. Some of the other activities comprise of fundraisers which will consist of local dishes from the islands as well as a Valentine’s Day cupcake sale.
The Leeward Islands Student Association of Trinidad and Tobago comprises nationals from Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Monsterrat, Saba, St. Barthélemy, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Marten/Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and the United States Virgin Islands.
LISSAT has been in operation since 28th October, 2001.