Welcome to This Is Jamaica

Please  share the following judging criterion with parents and students to guide  them on making their best video rendition.   

Accuracy:
Contestants must begin by giving the Title and Author of the poem “This  is Jamaica" by Peter Gracey.  The poem must be recited as written.

Physical Appearance/Presence:
Contestants dress /costume should depict the theme of the poem. Judges  will be looking at body movements and emotion put into reaching the  audience.

Diction/Enunciation:
In this section clarity of speech, tone, emphasis on words, pace,  rhythm, appropriate pause. This shows the contestants understanding of  the poem.

Creativity/Originality:
This is where contestants can add their personal ideas,  music, pictures, and background scenes. As a caution these creativity  should represent the theme of the poem and should not distract or  overpower the words of the poem.

T.I.J. TIP: Best way to hold your device while filming: 

Film in landscape mode: Remember to hold your cell phone in landscape  mode (horizontally) when you are filming, (as shown in the image above).

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Send your videos via wetransfer.com to thisisjamaicaschoalrship@gmail.com 

The Peter Gracey This is Jamaica Poetry Scholarship was created for students in Jamaica to explore poetry as an educational building block, and to empower children to restore and preserve Jamaican culture through poetry, drama and the arts.

Video Record a Rendition of the poem “This is Jamaica” written by Peter Gracey (poem below.) Poem must be recited using the opening statement “This is Jamaica” by Peter Gracey.

All applications must be received by September 22th 2023 and renditions by September 30th 2022..

The winning candidates will be selected by Scholarship Selection Committee.

Questions about The Peter Gracey “This is Jamaica” Poetry Scholarship can be directed to thisisjamaicascholarship@gmail.com

Please see example of poem here - https://youtu.be/YBLUWhC_fqE

Eligibility: Applicants between the ages of 6 and 17 attending a primary or high school in Jamaica.

This is Jamaica

By Peter Gracey

This is Jamaica!

This is my country.

A son of this island,

A daughter of this land.

Fearless of fear,

I stand in awe.

Only love prevails,

Secured in God's hands.

This is Jamaica!

Where Joy cometh in the morn'.

Surrounded by mystic waters,

Crashing unto the shores - where only heroes are born.

Only if you knew Jamaica as well as I do...,

Then you would utter!

I love you Jamaica,

God knows, I Do!

This is Jamaica!

A simple speck in the universe.

Our hearts beat and pulse in every nation,

But only second to The Kingdom of God - We put Jamaica first.

I am Jamaican!

Regardless of where you may find me.

Black, Green and Gold is the marrow in my bones.

so If I die away from my island,

I pray to God, you'll take me home.