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Representing St. John’s Rural North with distinction, Abigail Piper, Delegate #1 in the upcoming Labour Queen Competition, has taken her pageant platform “Future Funds: Financial Literacy Among Youth” directly into the classroom. Her recent school tour through the constituency saw her empowering Grade 6 students with the tools and knowledge to make smart financial choices while encouraging them as they prepare for their National Assessments.
At Cedar Grove Primary School, Ms. Piper delivered a passionate presentation to the graduating class, sharing essential life skills, study techniques, and the value of gratitude. She reinforced her message by gifting each of the 24 students a custom exam preparation kit, which included a pencil case, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, a ruler, sticky notes, and a motivational affirmation card that read: “I am prepared and confident for my exams.” These items were chosen to support their academic success while boosting their confidence and morale.
In a meaningful contribution to the school’s library, she donated a full three-book series of engaging, child-friendly financial literacy texts by Dr. Terrance Martin, titled “Kids Teaching Kids About Money.” including The Mystery of the Mind, The Promise of the Pitons, and Treasury Trail: The Money Adventure. These books form part of her commitment to promoting early financial education and instilling a reading culture among youth.
According to the author, Dr. Terrance Martin, “It’s Financial Literacy Month worldwide, and I am excited to have partnered with Abigail, a contestant in the Miss Antigua Labour Party pageant, for this initiative. As part of her platform, she is focused on financial wellness. Today, she made a generous donation of a book series I wrote titled “Kids Teaching Kids About Money.” The books are available on Amazon and will be officially launched on May 17th.”
Joining her on this impactful initiative was the Honourable H. Charles “Max” Fernandez, Member of Parliament for St. John’s Rural North and Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment. Minister Fernandez offered words of encouragement to the students, urging them to study diligently and reach for excellence. The visit also included an interactive Q&A and math quiz session that sparked enthusiasm and engaged students in a fun yet educational experience.
The tour continued to the St. Nicholas Primary School, where both Ms. Piper and Minister Fernandez donated additional copies of Dr. Martin’s books and engaged students in lively discussions about reading, personal growth, and the importance of knowledge retention.
Reflecting on the day’s events, Ms. Piper shared:
“Today was fulfilling. It was encouraging to see how confident and informed our children already are about financial literacy. Their understanding of money management at such a young age gives me hope for the future. I applaud their parents and teachers for making this a part of their early education.”
Abigail Piper, who also holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and currently serves as a Finance Manager, brings personal passion and professional insight to her advocacy. Her platform reflects her belief that sound financial decisions should start from an early age.
In addition to her participation in the Labour Queen Competition, Ms. Piper was recently unveiled as one of the “Celestial Five” competing in this year’s prestigious Queen of Carnival show—a testament to her poise, purpose, and the impact of her advocacy.
This is a good initiative. Teach the youths them early on how to finncial literate.
Good job