Duchess of York congratulates young superhero

Fourteen-year-old Clifton Hunter High School student, Trevor Carmola Jr, has received an exceptional award for outstanding bravery, having rushed into a burning house earlier this year to rescue an elderly inhabitant. As a result, Trevor has been recognised by both the Department of Children and Family Services and the Duchess of York at Child Month’s first event. Trevor found out he had received these awards as the Child Month 2021 (High Schools) awardee during the opening church service at the Red Bay Church of God (Holiness) which took place at the beginning of May.

The Child Month’s superhero theme: My C.A.P.E – Challenges are Passable for Everyone, was particularly apt for Trevor, as he had not only rushed into a burning house to rescue the elderly man but he had also promptly called 911, a true superhero in his community. Before receiving the award, a video message was shown from Duchess Sarah Ferguson congratulating Trevor on his heroism and his award. He also received a plaque and laptop from the Department of Children and Family Services Director Paulinda Mendoza-Williams, who said Trevor’s recognition was one of the highlights of the child-focused service.

Trevor was, she said, “an exceptional young man”, having been the youngest ever Proud of Them recipient (Community and Academics) at just 11 years old. He is a Cayman Islands Cadet Corps sergeant and was the Most Outstanding Overall Recruit and Most Outstanding Clifton Hunter High School Recruit (2018). In the following year, he was awarded the Cadet of the Year. On winning that accolade, he was chosen to greet and welcome the Duchess of York.

Attendees at the service included the Governor, Martyn Roper, Deputy Governor, Franz Manderson, Premier, Wayne Panton and Minister for Financial Services & Commerce and Investment, Innovation & Social Development Andre Ebanks, along with Minister for Health & Wellness, Sabrina Turner, Parliamentary Secretary (Social Development) Heather Bodden, Parliamentary Secretary (Financial Services & Commerce) Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and IISD Chief Officer, Eric Bush.

Other highlights of the service included remarks by Minister for Social Development, the Child Month Welcome address by DCFS Deputy Director Rayle Roberts and the “Let the Children Come” Matthew 19:13-15 sermon by visiting Pastor Kim Evans. The service also included two baby dedications.