Published 26th September 2020
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
History was made at the 8th Annual Independence Drill Competition on Friday (September 25, 2020) when 19-year-old Shynequa Isaac of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Cadet Corps earned the top award for best at individual drill.
The young lady outshined 14 other participants who took part in the contest which showcases military drills. Her victory marked the first time a member of the Cadet Corps won the event. It was also the first time a female won best at drills and made her the youngest winner in the event’s eight-year history.
“I still can’t believe it. This is amazing,” Cadet Recruit Isaac said, after earning the top prize.
Isaac expressed that she was confident heading into the competition and was pleased that her hard work paid off. Her 13-year-old brother Cadet Recruit Jelani Isaac also put a lot of effort into the drill competition. He and his sister’s performance earned them a first-place finish in the team drill category.
The winners of the team drill section were Constables #367 Zahur Peters and #355 Hanish Thomas of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF).
The experience level between the partners varied with Thomas being exposed to drills off and on over the past 10 years during a stint with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cadet Force and continuing with his police service in St. Kitts-Nevis. Peters on the hand only started to drill in 2018 when he began police training.
“I started out in the sewage tank – that’s the lowest you can be – but from there I disciplined myself and I kept pushing until I came out of that pit and now here I am, doing my best for the police force and we have captured the [winning] shield,” Constable Peters stated.
Constable Thomas expressed pleasure that his team was able to proudly represent the RSCNPF in this drill competition. He added that drills help him to sharpen his discipline which in turns makes him more efficient in his personal and professional life.
Fifteen persons participated in the Independence Drill Competition. The agencies represented were the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, Her Majesty’s Prison, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Cadet Corps and the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority.
The results were: Individual Drill Category, Winner: Shynequa Isaac; 1st Place Hanish Thomas; and 2nd Place Zahur Peters. In the Team Drill Category, Winner Constables Zahur Peters and Hanish Thomas; 1st Place Cadet Recruits Shynequa and Jelani Isaac, and 2nd Place Constables Shane Clarke and Deshaun Jacobs.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, as well as Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy, attended the event. It was held virtually due to the health and safety protocols established for the COVID-19 pandemic.
