Caleader leads them all | News

Seventeen-year-old Hampton School student, Caleader Lewison is the 2025 ‘Junior Minister of Tourism/, beating her two rivals in an exciting final at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort on Tuesday.

The annual public speaking competition showcased the talents of three exceptional finalists representing Hampton School, Manning’s School, and Montego Bay High School.

Runner-up was Kaira Bowman of Montego Bay High School, while Jullisa Dujon of Manning’s School finished third. Both received high commendation for their impressive performance during the finals.

Lewison will represent Jamaica at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Youth Congress scheduled for October in Barbados, continuing Jamaica’s tradition of grooming excellent young tourism ambassadors.

“Last year, I wasn’t able to participate due to Hurricane Beryl; this year, I was determined to win,” Lewison said.

“I’m looking forward to representing my school and country in Barbados. I am looking forward to the Youth Congress and having some fun while I’m at it.”

Dana Miller, Lewison’s Tourism Action Club staff advisor at Hampton, was delighted with the win.

“Caleader’s journey is nothing short of inspiring,” she said. “After missing last year’s competition due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl, her win this year is a true testament to her resilience and determination. As we look ahead to Barbados, I’m excited to help her fine-tune her presentation and watch her shine on the regional stage.”

POWER OF YOUTH IN TOURISM

The Junior Minister of Tourism Competition engages students age 14–17 years old from across the island who are active members of their schools’ Tourism Action Clubs. Each finalist delivered a three-minute prepared presentation and a one-minute mystery question that tested their on-the-spot thinking and industry knowledge.

Director of tourism, Donovan White, praised the calibre of this year’s participants, saying, “This competition is a powerful youth development platform that nurtures future leaders of Jamaica’s tourism industry. The finalists showcased not only confidence and poise, but also the kind of fresh perspectives and innovative thinking that are vital to the sector’s continued growth and resilience. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to supporting our new ‘Junior Minister’ as she represents Jamaica with distinction on the regional stage.”

Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager for Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, returning sponsor of the competition, also commended the students.

“Every year, we’re reminded of the power of youth in tourism. These students bring energy, innovation, and purpose, and it’s our privilege to help provide a platform for them to shine,” he said.

The three finalists received prizes from Chukka Caribbean, Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Progressive Grocers, Kingston Bookshop, and Devon House. Teachers and staff advisors were also acknowledged and awarded for their roles in preparing the students for competition.

During the one-year tenure, the ‘Junior Minister’ will participate in key industry events, including the annual Tourism Awareness Week Youth Forum and will engage in mentorship opportunities and public speaking engagements alongside leaders from the Ministry of Tourism and the Jamaica Tourist Board. The Tourism Action Club is an initiative of the Jamaica Tourist Board.