CONGRATULATIONS: Koffee Receive Prime Minister’s Youth Award For Excellence in Arts and Culture...Christina Barrett of PALAS also among finalists.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Koffee, real name Mikayla Simpson

Koffee was recognised at the annual Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence ceremony on Saturday night.

The Grammy-nominated Reggae singer received an award for her contribution to Arts and Culture.

“Grateful to receive the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture. Big up the other awardees and Mummy for collecting it for me.  #PMYAE2019
@AndrewHolnessJM,” the Toast singer wrote on Twitter.

19-year-old Koffee, real name Mikayla Simpson, was among the 87 persons who have been shortlisted for the Awards. The event forms part of Youth Month 2019 celebrations, and is observed under the theme ‘The Jamaican Youth are LIT – They Lead, Inspire and Transform Jamaica and our World’.

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness (centre) shares a photo
opportunity with the 48 recipients of the Prime Minister's
 Youth Awards for Excellence, at the awards ceremony
 held on November 30, on the lawns of Jamaica House.

The Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence was introduced in 1998 to recognise young Jamaicans who have excelled and contributed to national development. The award recipients, which included new Reggae sensation Mikayla 'Koffee' Simpson; entertainer, Jamila Falak James; Reggae Girl, Jody Brown; Olympic Diver, Yona Knight-Wisdom; and popular YouTuber, Rushaine 'Duttyberry' Berry were selected from 87 nominees in 12 categories.

The awards were presented in the categories of Academics, Agriculture, Arts and Culture, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Protection, Innovation in Science and Technology, International Achievement, Journalism, Leadership, Sports and Youth Development and Nation Building.

Three of the Nation Builder Awardees were presented with a $100,000 bursary from Jamaica National Bank, while 12 of the nominees were presented with a $100,000 bursary from Sagicor.

Christina Barrett, 3-time PALAS Awardee & Board Member

Christina Barrett is a 3-time PALAS recipient who now serves on the PALAS Board. PALAS awarded 691 scholarships over the past 9 years, valued at JA$60.1 Million.