Grand Cayman – Wednesday, 4 January 2023 – The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage (MYSCH) and its affiliate the National Youth Commission (NYC), are proud to announce the appointment of the Cayman Islands CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYA) 2022-2024.

Caymanians Vanessa Burke, Chad Powell Jr., and alternates Destiny Dalley and Juan Pablo Valerio were appointed in December and are members of a regional network of young Caribbean nationals. Their mandate is to advocate for and educate their peers on local and regional youth priorities identified by the NYC and the CARICOM Secretariat.

Following the appointment, NYC Chair and head of the CYA Selection Panel Dr. Ruthlyn Pomares said: “One of our first objectives as a National Youth Commission has been to fill the CYA posts.

Our appointees are well-qualified and are committed to continue being change agents, seeking out the opinions of other youth in Cayman on issues which affect them,” she remarked, adding that the NYC is looking forward to working with the appointees and hearing their ideas.

 Minister for Youth, Hon. Bernie Bush said: “I congratulate the successful applicants. Since our youth will one day lead this nation, we want them represented in local, regional and international forums by capable and motivated young persons. Our CYAs and CYA Alternates are passionate, determined, and ready to engage and empower our young people.”

Female CARICOM Youth Ambassador Vanessa Burke, a John Gray High School graduate, has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Liverpool. A former member of the Youth Parliament and Junior Achievement of the Cayman Islands, Vanessa currently supports several local not-for-profit organisations and is the Cayman Islands Our Little Miss (21 to 29 years old).

Female CARICOM Youth Ambassador (Alternate) Destiny Dalley is a Clifton Hunter High School graduate. She is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Primary Education from the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI). Destiny has volunteered for various charitable entities such as the Jasmine Hospice and the Family Resource Centre. She is a member of the Alex Panton Foundation’s Youth Ambassador programme and is currently the Cayman Islands Our Little Miss (16 to 19 years old).

Male CARICOM Youth Ambassador Chad Powell Jr. is studying for an Associate’s degree in Arts and Social Sciences at UCCI. The Clifton Hunter High School graduate is a member of several youth organisations including the Alex Panton Foundation’s Youth Ambassador programme, Protect Our Future, and Youth Parliament.

Male CARICOM Youth Ambassador (Alternate) Juan Pablo Valerio is studying for an Associate’s degree in Business Administration at UCCI. The John Gray High School graduate interests include the Cayman Islands Scouts Association, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, and Save Our Youth.

The CYAs and CYA Alternates will serve a two-year term, working closely with the Youth Services Unit.

(MYSCH)