After three days of intense competition at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, Clifton Hunter High School emerged as the 2023 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Champions on Friday (24 March). 

Outstanding performances from divisional champions Gabrielle Cooke (Under-13 and Victrix Ludorum) and Rahnia Beach (Under-17) aided the team in amassing 1,100 points to defeat five-time defending champions John Gray High School (JGHS), which placed second with 1,002 points. 

Cayman Prep came in third with 330 points, while Layman E Scott High School were named Small School Champions after accumulating 199 points. 

The Head of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Elroy Bryan, said in the closing remarks, “Congratulations, Clifton Hunter High School, on your well-deserved victory. Your passion and drive to win were evident throughout the competition; I am pleased to know your hard work paid off.”

He continued, “Special commendations to all 681 participating athletes for their teamwork and sportsmanship and to their coaches, teachers and schools for their hard work and dedication in preparing them for the competition.” 

Mr. Bryan also thanked the other members of the LOC and the teams in the Departments of Education Services and Sports for their support in ensuring the success of the 2023 Interscholastic Sports. 

Other outstanding performers included Under-13 champions Dre Jackson (Victor Ludorum) and Delora Johnson, both from John Gray High School, Under-15 champion Joshua Barrett (JGHS), Under-17 champions Mikayla Brown (Dual Entry) and Michail Michelin (JGHS) and Under-20 champions Cayman Prep & High School’s Brianna Smith (Victrix Lodorum) and CIFEC’s Andrew Stone. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, District Administration and Lands Minister, Hon Juliana O’Connor Connolly and Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Hon. Bernie Bush, attended and delivered remarks. 

Also among notable attendees were Premier Hon. Wayne Panton, House Speaker Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Tourism Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Health & Wellness Hon. Sabrina Turner, Minister for Border Control & Labour Hon Dwayne Seymour, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism & Social Development, Ms. Heather Bodden, Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs, Planning, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure Mr. Isaac Rankine, MoE Acting Chief Officer Ms. Lyneth Monteith, Department of Education Services Director, Mr. Mark Ray, Department of Sports Director Mr. Kurt Hyde and other MOE, DES and DOS officials.

To learn more about other DES programmes and activities, visit the Department of Education’s website at https://schools.edu.ky/Pages/Home.aspx.