Honouring those who make us proud

Jody-Anne Lawrence, Gleaner Writer

Jamaicans turned out looking their best in support of the achievement of family and friends at the presentation of National Honours and Awards at King's House last Monday.

Awardees included writers such as Lorna Goodison who has contributed greatly to Jamaican literature, and government heads such as Audley Shaw, for his years of service. The event was what you could call star-studded and had such a huge turnout, extra seats had to be sourced.

People were elegantly attired in business suits and cocktail dresses, while some were overly layered for the hot outdoor event. It must have been very uncomfortable.

But there were some welcome distractions in the form of several performances which included the Jamaica Folk Singers who performed a medley of songs and Duane Stephenson who performed, Book of Rules. The performance of the day, however, was Damarlie Foster who performed Hallelujah. The 2013 children gospel winner in the solo category 11-15, his beautiful tenor had the audience 'ooing and ahhing' throughout his performance.

The Awards was, as usual, an event which showed that the country is also rich with people who are doing their best to make Jamaica proud.