Teen leaders unite against violence at Independence Youth Rally

Teenage pageant winners and runners-up delivered powerful anti-violence messages at today’s Independence Youth Rally, highlighting the urgent need for peace and unity in Antigua and Barbuda.

Mr. Teenage 2024 Mandela Ango Anyandjuh of St Joseph’s Academy led the campaign presentation with a compelling call for non-violence in communities.

“Violence divides us, but peace brings us together,” Anyandjuh emphasized, urging his peers to choose respect and communication over aggression.

His message resonated through both speech and song, as he performed a calypso chorus celebrating unity: “Right now we can’t be divided, right now we must stand united.”

Miss Teenage 2024 Gabrielle Hamlet of Sir Novelle Richards Academy challenged her generation to rewrite their narrative.

“When people think of this generation, negative connotation often comes to mind,” she stated.

“I believe that it is our duty as the future to take back control of the narrative and show our seniors we are better than they ever were.”

Anya Hull of Clarehall Secondary School, second runner-up in the Miss Teenage competition, delivered a compelling address on gender-based violence, highlighting it as a global pandemic affecting one in three women.

She presented practical steps for youth involvement in preventing violence against women and girls, emphasizing the importance of education, support for survivors, and speaking up against abuse.

Ja’quan Christopher of Clarehall Secondary School, second runner-up in the Mr. Teenage competition, joined his peers in emphasizing the power of positive dialogue.

The teens’ collective message challenged youth to question negative societal narratives and take active roles in fostering peace.

These presentations were part of a broader No Violence Campaign, demonstrating the commitment of Antigua and Barbuda’s youth to creating positive change in their communities.

As Hamlet noted in her presentation, “Self interrogation is deep batch interrogation. Question your thoughts, your actions, your motivation, and your destination.”