Students and Schools in the Caribbean and Latin America Awarded by the FCCA Foundation Children's Essay Competition
 
Miramar, Fla. (September 26, 2018) -The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 FCCA Foundation Children's Essay Competition. The annual competition again invited students from schools around the Caribbean and Latin America to submit essays, and then awarded both the students and schools to help further their education. In total, this year's contest attracted 34 entries throughout 19 countries, and it will provide nearly $25,000 to the participating students and their schools.
 
"There is nothing more fulfilling than helping children, and I am proud of all the ways the FCCA Foundation achieves this," said Michele Paige, President, FCCA. "The essay competition is particularly special because it directly benefits children's futures and encourages them to continue striving in their scholastic endeavors, while helping their schools develop even more exceptional students."
 
This year's participants focused on the cultural aspects of their country that cruise passengers should experience. All the essays showcased not only the diverse cultures and histories throughout the destinations, but also and most importantly, the students' excellence in writing and ability to understand cruise passengers' perspectives and roles in the destinations.
 
Understandably, it was difficult to choose winners, but the FCCA Foundation awarded first-, second- and third-place honors to participants from the junior division, consisting of students between nine- and 12-years-old, and the senior division, featuring students between 13 and 16.
 
First place in the junior division was Xara Mon Desir from Cayman Islands, and Kia Knight from Barbados took the gold in the senior division. Those champions and their schools will both receive $3,000 academic scholarships, and the winners and a chaperone will be invited to accept their prizes at the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show Opening Ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, November 6.
 
Second place in the junior division was Leilene Amaya Muggins from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Ariel Albert from St. Lucia earned second-place honors in the senior division. Those winners and their schools each receive $1,500 scholarships.
 
Third place in the junior division was Arjenel Browne from St. Kitts, and Ajahni Rosario from the U.S. Virgin Islands took bronze in the senior division. Both they and their schools will receive $1,000 scholarships.
 
To reward the fantastic efforts of all participating students and their schools, the other participants and respective schools will receive $200 scholarships.
 
About the FCCA Foundation
The FCCA Foundation provides a tangible mechanism for the cruise industry to fund a range of humanitarian causes in Caribbean and Latin American destinations. Since its establishment in 1993, the Foundation has benefited thousands of citizens by providing funding and countless hours to causes and charities throughout the regions. In addition to assisting deserving institutions like charities and hospitals and aiding during crises like natural disasters, the Foundation executes annual projects, including the Holiday Gift Project.