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The Angostura Youth Champions Award
Angostura Champions is a biennial awards programme held by the House of Angostura.
In 2022, the Angostura Youth Champions Award will focus on young persons in our society who are achieving or prevailing in the face of exceptional challenges or adversity.
The worthy Angostura Youth Champions will receive assistance towards their educational or career goals.
Thank you for your interest, nominations are now closed.
Rules for Nominations:
The nominee must be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and be between the ages of 12 years and 25 years.
There are two nomination categories, 12 to 19 years and 20 to 25 years. A person can only be nominated for one age category.
If the Nominee is under the age of 18 years, consent to be nominated must also be given, in writing, by a parent or guardian.
You cannot nominate yourself.
Persons who submit a nomination must be 18 years and over.
Nominees may be contacted to verify their information or to provide additional information as it pertains to the nomination.
Submit your Nomination:
To submit your nomination please fill out the nomination form online and click “Submit” OR download and print the nomination form, fill it out and submit it to us at
House of Angostura
Corner Eastern Main Road and Trinity Avenue
Laventille,
Trinidad & Tobago
Angostura Solera Wines & Spirits
39 Union Park, West, Gopaul Lands, Marabella
Trinidad & Tobago
Angostura Solera Wines & Spirits
Cor. Grey Street and Tragarete Road, St. Clair.
Trinidad & Tobago
Remember to provide all required contact information for yourself and your nominee, along with any supporting documents, pictures, awards or references on behalf of your nominee.
By submitting a nomination form you and your nominee agree to the use of its contents, without compensation, for the purpose of advertising and publicizing all matters related to the Angostura Youth Champions and/or its Sponsors in any medium
Angostura Youth Champions will receive assistance towards their educational or career goals.
FAQs
Angostura Champions is a biennial awards programme held by the House of Angostura. In 2022, the programme is focused on young persons in our society who are achieving or prevailing in the face of adversity and challenges. For example, youths who do not have electricity at home or who are selling produce; despite their odds have not only achieved academic greatness but who have the sheer determination and commitment and have persevered for their family in less than ideal circumstances.
There are two categories – one is open to young persons between the ages of 12 and 19, and the other is open to young persons between the ages of 20 and 25. In order to qualify, eligible persons must be nominated by an established NGO, organization, school or an individual.
Nominations can be completed online using the fillable form or it can be downloaded and dropped off at the House of Angostura, Eastern Main Road, Laventille OR Angostura Solera Wines & Spirits, St. Clair or Marabella.
Nominations will be reviewed by a team of eminent judges. Six (6) finalists will be selected, three (3) from each category, through a points system. The selection of the winner will be decided from a combination of online votes and a final review by the judges and the wining ‘Angostura Youth Champion of the Year’ will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held on December 10th, 2022. The ceremony will be broadcast on television and on Angostura’s social media pages after the event.
There will be one winner from each of the two age categories.
At an awards ceremony held on Friday 7th December, The House of Angostura announced the five finalists for its inaugural Angostura Champions Award for community service: Christopher Dennis, Elspeth Duncan, Frank Edwards, Koriella Espinoza and Donald McLean James. Koriella Espinoza was subsequently named the “Angostura Champion of the Year 2018” at the formal event held at the company’s premises.
Launched this year, Angostura Champions is an annual awards programme initiated by the company to celebrate individuals who perform outstanding community service and work toward improving the lives of others in Trinidad and Tobago. The awards programme aims to showcase the chosen Champions’ exceptional contributions to society, thus encouraging a sense of service, much needed in our nation today.
This year’s winner, Koriella Espinoza, is the founder of Korie’s Kids, an organization that supports children diagnosed with cancer and their families, and has empowered children since 2005. The other nominees’ work was also highly commendable. Christopher Dennis has for over seven years, run a youth coaching programme called Fools Can’t Surf, which motivates young people in Balandra and the surrounding areas through sport. Elspeth Duncan is a dedicated animal rescuer and animal welfare activist, active in Tobago. Frank Edwards is the founder and manager of the Morvant Football Academy, which has built camaraderie amongst young people in the community for over a decade. Donald McLean James is the founder of the Professional Barbering School, which mentors young people and provides free haircuts to those in need.
ANGOSTURA CHAMPION
The Angostura Champion of the Year 2018, Koriella Espinoza has been tirelessly pursuing her calling for over 10 years. She founded Korie’s Kids in 2005 to support children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Through this organization, she aims to empower and enrich the lives of these children through music, mentorship and the fulfillment of their wishes.
CHRISTOPHER DENNIS
Christopher Dennis is an international surfing champion who coaches young people in Balandra and its surrounding communities. For over 7 years, his programme, Fools Can’t Surf, has positively impacted on the lives of his students, improving their academic performances and bolstering their self-esteem through sport.
FRANK EDWARDS
Frank Edwards is a devoted member of his community who sought to provide mentorship and support to young people in his area through sport. He is the founder and manager of the Morvant Football Academy, which has built camaraderie amongst young men and women in the community since it was founded in 2008.
ELSPETH DUNCAN
Elspeth Duncan has been dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need for over 30 years and continues to campaign for the improvement of animal welfare in Trinidad & Tobago through humane education programmes.
DONALD MCCLEAN JAMES
Donald McClean James, founder of the Professional Barbering School, trains young people, including the boys of the Youth Training Centre, in the art of barbering and provides free haircuts to disadvantaged individuals. A haircut is a simple act of service that can mean so much to a person in need.
Nominations were open to the public for six weeks in August and September and the programme received an overwhelming number of high-caliber nominations. Nominated individuals were judged by a panel of notable members of society who selected the five finalists and then the “Angostura Champion of the Year 2018” through a points-based system.
“The House of Angostura has always taken its role as a responsible corporate citizen seriously and is proud to present this new initiative, celebrating and supporting the service being done by responsible, caring, citizens across the country,” said Terrence Bharath, Chairman of Angostura Limited. “It is wonderful to see the exceptional work being done by dedicated individuals and we would like to extend sincere appreciation to all those who sent in their nominations,” he ended.
On December 12th, 2020 Angostura® held its 2nd Champions Award which showcased benevolent citizens for their noble causes. The Angostura Champions Award is the Company’s way of recognizing and admiring those in society who give of themselves selflessly to assist others. It is a biennial programme which was first hosted in 2018, in which Angostura® received nominations from across Trinidad and Tobago, and this year was no different.
Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath says, “We at Angostura® consider ourselves to be Champions. We strive for excellence in all that we do just as the five finalists of the Champions Award. During a global pandemic, the aim of the Angostura Champions Award 2020 was to triumph over darkness.”
ANGOSTURA CHAMPION
Winner of the 2020 Angostura Champions Award, Ms. Elizabeth Aleong collects her cheque from Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry and Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Elizabeth learned to not just cope with two differently abled children, but she works at providing therapy and support services for children with disabilities regardless of a family’s income. After surviving a bilateral stroke in 2018 and learning how to walk and talk again; it gave her more encouragement and drive to assist children with disabilities.
SHIVAM TEELUCKSINGH
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Mr. Shivam Teelucksingh and the Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Shivam is an entrepreneur and freelance computer technician, he was forced to close his pharmacy due to the strains from COVID-19. Unemployed, he then sold his vehicle and used the proceeds from the sale and his IT skills to provide free computer repairs for parents and assisted them in navigating online education platforms for their children.
ANUSHKA TEELUCKSINGH
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Ms. Anuskha Teelucksingh and the Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Anushka has harnessed the life-giving force of blood donations. After having to source blood for her father in 2009 and realizing how difficult it was, she started to coordinate blood drives to assist others.
VALDEEN SHEARS
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Valdeen Tamara Shears and the Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
Valdeen emerged from an abusive relationship and transitioned from victim to survivor to advocate. She is the beacon that provides hope to other victims of domestic violence and is lobbying for legislative changes to improve the lives of women and girls in similar situations. She is advocating for the implementation and enforcement of Electronic Tracking Bracelets, corresponding Victim App Alert and Mandatory Rehabilitation Counselling for abusers.
KENNETH LISTHROP
From left to right- Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon; Finalist Mr. Kenneth Listhrop and Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath.
He has funnelled his musical energies into the next generation through the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic of which he is the music director. He formed the group to teach children music.
Angostura® received hundreds of nominations and after a difficult selection process, a panel of esteemed judges selected five finalists. The judges included Mr Sieunarine Coosal, Mrs. Zalayhar Hassanali, Ms. Jacqueline Quamina and Mr. Jehue Gordon. The winner of the Champions Award was selected by the judges and through online voting.
Angostura® would like to salute the 5 finalists of the Angostura Champions Award 2020 and to congratulate the winner, Ms. Elizabeth Aleong. Ms. Aleong learned to not just cope with her two differently abled children, but she works at providing therapy and support services for children with disabilities regardless of a family’s income. After surviving a bilateral stroke in 2018 and learning how to walk and talk again; it gave her more encouragement and drive to assist children with disabilities. It was because of this she received the Angostura Champions Award 2020. She received a trophy and $50,000.00.
The other finalists all received trophies and $10,000.00 each and included domestic violence advocate, Ms. Valdeen Tamara-Shears. She emerged from an abusive relationship and transitioned from victim to survivor to advocate. She is lobbying for legislative changes regarding domestic violence and advocating for the implementation and enforcement of Electronic Tracking Bracelets, corresponding Victim App Alert and Mandatory Rehabilitation Counselling for abusers.
Another finalist, Mr. Shivam Teelucksingh, is an entrepreneur and freelance computer technician who was forced to close his pharmacy due to the strains from COVID-19. Unemployed, he then sold his vehicle and used the proceeds from the sale and his IT skills to provide free computer repairs for parents and assisted them in navigating online education platforms for their children.
Ms. Anushka Teelucksingh, harnessed the life-giving force of blood donations. After having to source blood for her father in 2009 and realizing how difficult it was, she started to coordinate blood drives to assist others. Mr. Kenneth Listhrop has funnelled his musical energies into the next generation through the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic of which he is the music director. He formed the group to teach children music.
In acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the finalists, Mr. Bharath said, “It takes a special person to give of themselves unselfishly for no reward. It takes a special person to understand that there is a reward from being kind to others. There is at the end of the day a feeling of joy and fulfilment from assisting others.”
Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon said, “I congratulate the Angostura® team on this initiative aimed at showcasing and recognizing the extraordinary contributions made by distinguished citizens who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others.”
