Tue | Jul 14, 2026

Seaforth High wins EU-USF video competition, team trip to Brussels

Published:Monday | July 21, 2025 | 10:39 PM
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Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz (left), head of cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas, joins the winning team, Seaforth High School. The team comprises teacher and competition advisor, Terron Strachan (second left) and students Matthew-Rae Edmondson (third left), Llyana Copeland (centre), Brianna Brooks (third right), and Obrien Rose (second right). They are also joined by Charlton McFarlane, chief executive officer of the Universal Service Fund, after winning the EU-USF Short Video Competition.

In a display of creativity and digital innovation, Seaforth High School of St Thomas has secured the top prize in the European Union (EU) and Universal Service Fund (USF) Short Video Competition, with its team winning an all-expenses-paid educational journey to Brussels, Belgium.

The opportunity includes visits to the Jamaican Embassy and the EU headquarters, alongside three days for cultural exploration, all designed to enrich and expand the students’ educational horizons.

The climax of the competition took place on July 15 at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Auditorium, where Seaforth High triumphed over competitors Old Harbour High, which took second place, and St Hilda’s Diocesan High, which claimed third.

Launched in February 2025, the competition highlighted the transformative impact of technology on education and the future job market, challenging information and communication technology (ICT) clubs across Jamaica to produce compelling three-minute videos.

Seaforth High captivated the judges with their winning entry, ‘Reimagining Education: The Virtual Reality Journey from Classroom to Career’, showcasing how virtual reality can revolutionise education in fields such as medicine and engineering through immersive, simulated training. Their video emphasised the critical role digital innovation plays in making education more interactive and relevant to evolving job markets.

The excitement and hard work behind Seaforth’s success were palpable, as team lead Obrien Rose expressed his joy at the accomplishment.

“It’s a feeling that I can’t explain; it’s a mix of joy, pleasure, and overwhelming emotion. We faced many challenges, but we persevered and emerged victorious.”

Reflecting the dedication and commitment of the team, Terron Strachan, the business and information technology teacher who guided Seaforth to their win, noted, “The experience has been amazing, late nights spent perfecting their vision and guiding them toward their storytelling goals.”

While Old Harbour High impressed with their engaging video, ‘Tech Introverts’, team lead Jabari Manning declared their determination to compete again next year, proud of their second-place finish. St Hilda’s Diocesan High took home third place and a USF-sponsored special prize for ‘Best Visual Effects’ with their entry, ‘A Glimpse Ahead’.

The competition underlines the EU’s Global Gateway agenda and the USF’s mission to bridge Jamaica’s digital divide.

Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, head of cooperation at the EU Delegation to Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas, commended the students.

“Your videos demonstrated technical skills, creativity, and a hopeful vision for the impact of digital technology on education and careers. You are the future leaders and change-makers.”

As Seaforth High prepares for their Brussels experience, Rose said he was looking forward to sharing his journey on his YouTube channel, while Strachan is anticipating students’ engagement with attractions like the Atomium and local museums.

In congratulating Seaforth, Charlton McFarlane, CEO of the USF, said, “They truly deserve this trip. We look forward to their return and to hearing all about what they’ve learned. We also hope this experience will serve as motivation for ICT clubs across our schools to continue growing and thriving.”

Certificates, Samsung tablets, and more were awarded to top participants, underscoring the commitment to nurturing digital competencies among young Jamaicans.