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National Swimmer Warren Lawrence came up short in his bid to qualify for the semi finals of the Men's 50 meter heats at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games this morning. Lawrence is the first Dominican Swimmer to participate in the Olympics since the 2000 Sydney Games. He is the son of former Olympic Swimmer Woodrow Woody Lawrence who represented Dominica at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Lawrence swimming in heat number 4, swam a time of 24.67 seconds, managing to finish in 5th place in the very competitive heat. His time was just a little behind his personal best of 24.51 seconds. The heat was won by Thierry Bollin of Switzerland who swam in a time of 22.95 seconds. The Top 16 swimmers advanced to the semi finals. Warren's time of 24.67 seconds while it was good enough for a 5th in his heat, it meant that he finished 52nd overall out of the 73 other competitors. Credit G. Richards

National record holder and World Champion in the women’s triple jump Thea Lafond Gadson is confident she can bring home Dominica’s first Olympic Medal as she participates in the women’s triple jump at the Paris Summer Olympic Games this week. Thea who is the first Dominican to medal at the Commonwealth Games and the first Dominican to win gold at the World Championships is set to compete on August 2nd in the Women’s Triple Jump Qualifiers. The Women’s Triple Jump will get underway 12:15 pm Caribbean time on Friday. Thea needs a jump of 14.35 meters on Friday to qualify for Saturday’s final. She is the current national record holder at 15.01 meters. Meantime Dominica opens its hunt for medals on Thursday August 1st with Warren Lawrence competing in the Men’s 50-meter freestyle swimming event. Lawrence will swim in Heat number 4. The heats will get underway at 11:16 am Caribbean time, Thursday morning. National swimmer Jasmine Schofield also takes to the pool on August 3rd for the Women’s 50-meter backstroke. 800-meter runner Dennick Luke runs in the men’s 800-meter event on August 7th. -END-

The Dominica State College is almost at the end of its registration period and 683 students have already applied for the academic year 2024/2025. We anticipate that more students will apply but the deadline to do so is drawing near.  Our registration deadline is Wednesday July 31st. We advise everyone who has applied to submit all their supporting documents by the deadline. We are seeing great interest in Business Administration General, Biology, Architectural Technology, Building & Civil Engineering, Hospitality Studies and Pre-Health amongst those who have already applied. We are gearing up for Orientation which will take place Monday August 26th- Friday August 30th.  and we look forward to engaging with our new students as well as parents. We also look forward to welcoming our students to a new and improved DSC campus since over the summer there has been a major effort being made at improving the campus infrastructure and many repairs have been made, resulting in a much welcomed facelift of the lower campus.  Our new and returning students can stay up to date with information on our website, www.dsc.edu.dm and on our Facebook page.

Two Dominican documentaries have been selected to be featured at this year's Conch Shell International Film Festival in New York. "Dementia: The Island Journey" by Rianna Patterson, which delves into the challenges of dementia in the Caribbean, and "Territory" by media entrepreneur Jael Joseph, which examines issues within the Kalinago community, particularly their connection to the land in the absence of their indigenous language, will be showcased. "Dementia: The Island Journey" was recently screened at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival in England last month and received an honorable mention at the awards night while "Territory" won Best Short Documentary at the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival in Canada last September. Rianna expressed her excitement for the opportunity to share knowledge and stories on dementia with the Caribbean diaspora in the US. She noted that this is the documentary's fourth festival selection. Jael emphasized the significance of the Kalinago story, highlighting their resistance to colonization and their importance in the broader Caribbean context. She expressed her humility and gratitude for the exposure. The Conch Shell International Film Festival is a competitive event that features short films by independent and student Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora filmmakers, as well as established filmmakers. The 2024 festival will be held from October 10-13 at Regal UA Midway in Forest Hills, Queens, New York.

The Dominican delegation at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics spent the evening with Dominicans residing in Paris. Among the special guests were the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Her Excellency Janet Charles, and Cadence Music Icon Gordon Henderson. Special Thanks to Églantine Sir and Cédric LaRoche for hosting the delegation.

Dominica will begin its medal campaign on Thursday August 1st at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris when National Swimmer Warren Lawrence participates in the Men’s 50-meter backstroke. Lawrence, who is the son of former Olympic Swimmer Woodrow Woody Lawrence is set to become the first swimmer to represent Dominica in swimming at the Olympic Games in 24 years. He resides in Switzerland, competed in the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in the 50-meter freestyle where he achieved his personal best of 24.51 which is also a National Record. Lawrence will compete in Heat number 4 of the Men’s 50-meter freestyle on Thursday. The heats will get underway at 11:16 am Caribbean time, Thursday morning. Meantime National swimmer Jasmine Schofield also takes to the pool on August 3rd for the Women’s 50-meter backstroke. Triple Jumper Thea Lafond Gadson competes on August 2nd in the Women’s Triple Jump Qualifiers. 800-meter runner Dennick Luke runs in the men’s 800-meter event on August 7th. -END- Report by Correspondent: G. Richards

The 2024 Olympics opened up with a bang in Paris with thousands of athletes sailing along the River Seine as the world’s biggest sport event officially got underway on Friday. The boat ride down the River Seine was a shift from the traditional stadium parade and thousands lined the river banks for a glimpse of the spectacle. The Dominica delegation led by flag bearers Thea Lafond Gadson and Dennick Luke were part of the historic moment. The Dominica team were decked out in yellow shirts with a splash of madras, khaki pants and customized shoes with madras. Flag bearer Thea Lafond Gadson who is aiming to become Dominica’s first Olympic medallist said the opening ceremony was quite impressive. Meantime speaking at the opening ceremony International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach told athletes they were now "part of an event that unites the world in peace". More than 10,500 athletes will compete across 32 sports at the Games, which will close on 11 August. Dominica will begin its medal campaign on Thursday August 1st when National Swimmer Warren Lawrence participates in the Men’s 50-meter backstroke. National swimmer Jasmine Schofield also takes to the pool on August 3rd for the Women’s 50-meter backstroke. Triple Jumper Thea Lafond Gadson competes on August 2nd in the Women’s Triple Jump Qualifiers. 800-meter runner Dennick Luke runs in the men’s 800-meter event on August 7th.

Ms. Jasmine Schofield, who resides in the USA and returns to Dominica consistently, will be making her Olympic debut as Dominica’s first female swimmer since 2000. Ms. Schofield secured a universality placement in the 50m freestyle. Despite not achieving the qualification mark, the IOC Games regulations, which support the development of participation of all National Olympic Committees, allow for the placement of at least one Swimming athlete in each gender if none are able to achieve the qualification mark. Ms Schofield recently competed in the 2024 36th CCCAN Championships in Mexico and swam a new personal best and National record of 30.26 seconds in the 50m freestyle, breaking the time of 30.60 she swam in Doha at the World Championships in February. Additionally, Ms. Schofield has recently been awarded a World Aquatics scholarship and will be training at the Thanyapura Training Center inThailand starting in September. Ms. Jasmine Schofield is the daughter of Dominican Olympian Francilia Agar Schofield, who also competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in the 50m freestyle. Credit G Richards

World Women’s Triple Jump Champion Thea Lafond Gadson and 800-meter runner Dennick Luke will be Dominica’s Flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Opening Parade starts at 7:30pm in France (1:30pm Eastern Caribbean Time) on Friday 26th July. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will run 26 July to 11 August 2024 in France, with some competitions starting on 24 July. Mrs. Thea Lafond Gadson, who hails from the community of Mahaut and is based in the USA, will be competing in the female Triple Jump. Mrs. Lafond Gadson is Dominica’s first Indoor World Champion and has also qualified for two World Championships and Two World Indoor Championships. Mr. Dennick Luke, who hails from Portsmouth, is currently completing his tertiary education in Jamaica. Mr. Luke secured a universality placement in the discipline of 800m. The Flag bearers will lead the Dominica delegation which will include swimmers Warren Lawrence and Jasmine Schofield, as well team officials led by Chef de Mission Mr. Woodrow Lawrence, Team Leader, Mr. Brendan Wiliams, Athletics Coach Aaron Gadson; Swimming Coach, Gino Deflorian; Francilia Agar Schofield, Press Attaché, Garvin Richards and Physiotherapist, Kala Flagg. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games, the Opening Ceremony will not take place in a stadium. Paris 2024 opening will take place along the Seine River. The parade of athletes will be held on the Seine with boats for each national delegation. These boats will be equipped with cameras to allow television and online viewers to see the athletes up close. The 10,500 athletes will cross through the centre of Paris, the overall playing field for the Games over the next 16 days. The parade will come to the end of its 6-kilometre route in front of the Trocadéro, where the remaining elements of Olympic protocol and final shows.

Above Prestige Public Relations is thrilled to announce that LaDàna, our esteemed Principal Consultant and Digital Creator, is vying for the prestigious opportunity to be a presenter at the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards. The event will be held at the iconic Kings Theatre in New York City. LaDàna, born in The Commonwealth of Dominica and raised in Guadeloupe, has been a beacon of influence and inspiration in the public relations and digital creation spheres. Her journey from the Caribbean to becoming a leading figure in the industry is a testament to her dedication, creativity, and passion. Her passion for Dominica led her to join Rebuild Dominica Inc in 2015 after Tropical Storm Erika and she now serves as the nonprofit’s President of the Board of Directors. Securing the presenter role at the Caribbean Music Awards would be a fitting tribute to LaDàna’s influential work and a celebration of the values she represents. Her commitment to excellence, cultural heritage, and community empowerment makes her an ideal figure to grace such a significant event. “We are incredibly proud of LaDàna’s achievements and her continuous efforts to uplift and inspire others,” said a spokesperson for Above Prestige Public Relations. “Her potential role as a presenter at the Caribbean Music Awards not only highlights her professional accomplishments but also honors her roots and the values she holds dear.” The competition is currently in Round 3 and online votes can be submitted using her direct voting link at: https://orbiiit.com/contestentry/ef04c588-040e-4786-bfc5-b1a21b1344a2 LaDàna shared her excitement about the opportunity, stating, “Being considered for this role is an incredible honor. The Caribbean Music Awards is a celebration of our rich culture and heritage, and I am thrilled at the prospect of contributing to such a meaningful event. This opportunity represents not just a personal milestone, but a chance to highlight the beauty and talent of our Caribbean community.” Her Notable Achievements: Principal Consultant: Executing strategic communication efforts for high-profile clients across various industries at Above Prestige PR. Digital Creator: Building a significant online presence with engaging content that resonates with a diverse audience. Award-Winning Campaigns:  Leading numerous award-winning campaigns that have achieved international acclaim: including her work on the “Long Live The Queen” album by AfroBeat singer/songwriter Naomi Achu. This paid off when a song from that album -- “Busy Body” -- earned an AFRIMA award; a prestigious recognition in the African music industry. This accolade not only underscored the song’s popularity but also cemented LaDana’s reputation as a top-tier PR professional capable of driving significant impact and visibility for her clients. Community Advocate: Actively involved in initiatives that promote cultural heritage and community empowerment. Speaker and Mentor: Regularly invited to speak at industry conferences and mentor aspiring PR professionals.

Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre will present the 2024/2025 budget at the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Eleventh Parliament on Friday, July 26, 2024. The proposed Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, amount to one billion four hundred and eighty-six million, nine hundred and fifty-one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-three dollars (EC$1,486,951,793.00). Parliament will also seek authorization to borrow by means of overdraft from financial institutions as well as authorization for an additional credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA) for funding of the Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project. A resolution to amend the Value Added Tax Schedule is also on the agenda. At this meeting, Her Excellency President Sylvanie Burton D.A.H will deliver her inaugural address to the Parliament. The proceedings of the House will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live by your preferred mediums. -Ends-

The National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. is pleased to announce the election of its new Board of Directors following the successful Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on July 20, 2024. The meeting convened beekeepers from across the island and key stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy underscoring the Government’s commitment to advancing apiculture on the island. Mr. Ryan Anselm, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry, reaffirmed Honourable Minister Royer’s steadfast support for the development of apiculture on the island, pledging resources and collaborative efforts to enhance beekeeping practices and promote sustainable agricultural practices, and announced plans to allocate lands specifically to beekeepers for the establishment of apiaries aiming at increasing individual apiaries to 100 hives. On July 22, 2024, the board convened for its first meeting where key leadership positions were determined among its nine elected Directors. The newly elected Board of Directors and their respective positions are as follows: • President: Mr. Kevin James; • Vice President: Mr. Nathaniel Lowel; • Public Relations Officer (PRO): Ms. Vernella Orlé; • Treasurer: Mr. Leroy Cyprien; • Secretary: Ms. Alfreda Joan Paul; • Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Mr. Cyril Robinson; • Members: Mr. Shem Jacob, Ms. Sammantha Francis, Mr. Berlvin Gardier. Mr. Kevin James, elected as President, brings a wealth of experience and a bold vision to the helm of the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. His dedication to promoting sustainable beekeeping practices and enhancing the role of beekeepers in agricultural ecosystems is evident. Under his leadership, the cooperative will continue to develop plans for the inaugural 'Honey in the Town' initiative. This event will aim to not only increase awareness on apiculture but also educate the public on the crucial role bees play in our environment. "I am honored to lead this esteemed group of individuals who share a deep commitment to the well-being of bees and the advancement of our cooperative, together with this new Board of Directors, I am confident we will achieve significant milestones in promoting beekeeping awareness and expanding our membership base." said Mr. Kevin James, President of the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. Mr. Nathaniel Lowel, assuming the role of Vice President, as a seasoned beekeeper himself brings strategic acumen and a passion for environmental conservation to the board. Ms. Vernella Orlé, elected as the Public Relations Officer, will play a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and public engagement of the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. Her knowledge in communication and community outreach will ensure advocacy for apiculture. Mr. Leroy Cyprien, elected as Treasurer, brings a robust financial background and his meticulous approach and dedication will support the operational efficiency and long-term sustainability of the cooperative. Ms. Alfreda Joan Paul, serving as Secretary, will manage administrative duties and ensure smooth coordination within the board. Mr. Cyril Robinson, assuming the role of Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, will support Ms. Paul in administrative tasks while assisting Mr. Cyprien in financial management responsibilities. The newly elected Members, Mr. Shem Jacob, Ms. Sammantha Francis, and Mr. Berlvin Gardier, bring diverse perspectives and valuable expertise to the board. Their collective experience in beekeeping and agriculture, will enrich discussions and decision-making processes within the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. The National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. extends its gratitude to the outgoing board members for their dedication and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders in furthering the goals of sustainable beekeeping practices.