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By Tahna Weston
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Shemai’yah Barton of Grace Christian Academy and Shye Chastanet of Christ the King High School have taken top honours in an art competition aimed at teaching students the value of intellectual property through sport.
The two students won the primary and secondary school categories, respectively, in the competition organised by the Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property and Commerce Office (ABIPCO) under the theme “Intellectual Property and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate”. They received their awards at a prize-giving ceremony on Friday, 16 October.
Entrants were required to produce original artwork featuring a sporting icon of their choice and submit a written explanation of how their work reflected the theme.
In the primary school category, Aaniyah Carter of Better Chance Primary School placed second, while Jia-Stuart Young of St Nicholas Primary School finished third.
In the secondary school category, Milexy Pérez Lopez of Christ the King High School placed second, followed by schoolmate Sanaa Simon in third.
Both category winners received the Carden Conliffe Clarke Intellectual Property Award, presented by the late magistrate’s son. The award, now in its second year, honours Clarke’s contribution to intellectual property protection and the recognition of creative work.
ABIPCO Registrar Ricki Camacho said she and Clarke established the competition more than a decade ago to make intellectual property more accessible to young people.
“Intellectual property helps to protect the names and logos associated with sporting teams, the designs of sporting equipment and apparel, the creative works that tell the stories of our sporting heroes and sheroes and the inventions that help athletes train, perform, and compete,” Camacho said.
“As we celebrate our winners, let us remember that the purpose of this competition extends beyond prizes. It’s about building awareness, inspiring innovation, celebrating our sporting heritage and encouraging a generation that understands the value of creativity and intellectual property.”
Philip Lloyd, education officer for Social Sciences in the Ministry of Education, said students should learn to protect their own work while respecting the creations of others.
“For our students, the message is simple. Your ideas have value, your creativity matters and your original work deserves to be respected. Learning about intellectual property helps you to appreciate the importance of protecting your own work while respecting the creative contribution of others,” Lloyd said.
He added that creative skills could lead to careers, entrepreneurship and opportunities in the creative industries.
Sierra Letlow, representing ACT and AllMart, congratulated the participants and encouraged those who did not place to continue developing their artistic abilities.
Cricket featured prominently among the entries, alongside sporting figures from track and field and swimming. Entries were judged on creativity, artistic quality and how clearly the written descriptions addressed the theme.
The competition was supported by AllMart/ACT, Antigua Commercial Bank Caribbean and Cricket West Indies.