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Environment the Focus of Award-Winning Student Tourism Posters

March 26, 2008 — Two students from the Manor School in La Grand Princess earned $200 each Wednesday for their efforts in a tourism poster contest.
"This reflects what we hope is the next generation of leadership in tourism," said Brad Nugent, assistant tourism commissioner, at the presentation held at Government House on St. Croix. The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association sponsored the contest, and the V.I. Department of Tourism administered it.
Receiving the awards were Stewart Figueroa, a sixth grader, and Niza Delerme, a senior. Delerme did not attend the presentation. Numerous members of Figueroa's family were on hand in a show of support for his accomplishment.
"I am very proud of Stewart," said his grandfather, Jose Figueroa Sr. "He shows what good kids can do."
The contest was designed to introduce the benefits of tourism and to stimulate environmental awareness among students. Students were asked to submit a poster depicting at least three ways in which his or her destination could make a difference in preserving the environment.
Figueroa's poster, done in colored pencils, depicted the Caribbean Sea with litter in it.
"I wanted to show how we should clean up St. Croix," Figueroa said. He said his family helped him come up with ideas for the poster.
"We drove around and pointed out how the roads looked with litter," said Jose Figueroa Jr., Stewart's dad. "He showed we need to keep the island clean for us and tourists."
In addition to the poster contest, the Department of Tourism coordinates a number of other educational outreach programs under the leadership of Heather Carty, tourism career coordinator.
The department participates in career fairs at the University of the Virgin Islands and at the Educational Complex High School. The tourism staff will conduct tours of Government House for students in April.
The department also coordinates the annual National Geographic Traveler Magazine Photo Contest designed for students ages 12 to 17. For third and fourth graders, Carty does history, culture and heritage presentations emphasizing the idea of creating a foundation for sustainable tourism.
"These programs are all part of an aggressive educational outreach program to enhance and instill appreciation of tourism in children," Nugent said.
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