The reef is a very important ecosystem for our beautiful island and country. In order to create awareness and help preserve it, every year Reef Week is celebrated in honor of our natural heritage. This year it was celebrated under the theme “Snorkel and dive; keep the reef healthy and alive!” from May 21 – 26, 2013.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve planned an entire week of activities which kicked off on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, with the 8th Annual Reef Week Trivia Competition which took place at the Lion’s Den, where students’ knowledge on the reef and environment was put to test. After a few hotly contested questions and deliberation from the judges the winners were announced: Joshua Marin of Ambergris Caye Elementary School took 1st Place followed by Kaiya Cabral of Isla Bonita Elementary School, Ronaldo Ardon of San Pedro RC School and Velveth Molina of Caye Caulker RC School winning second, third and fourth place respectively.
Miguel Alamilla Manager of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Kaiya Cabral (2nd Place Winner), Ronaldo Ardon (3rd Place Winner), Joshua Marin (1st Place Winner), Velveth Molina (4th Place Winner) and Mariela Archer Environmental Coordinator at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Joshua Marin (1st Place) won an iPad Mini and a round trip flight to Belize City courtesy of Tropic Air and an engraved glass award, Kaiya Cabral won an Android tablet and $50 gift certificate from A&R shopping center and an engraved glass award, Ronaldo Ardon won a $100 saving from Belize Bank and 1 school bag filled with school supplies and an engraved glass award, and Velveth Molina won a 100 savings from Atlantic Bank.
The Marine Reserve Office hosted a Marine Fair for all students to learn more about Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Bacalar Chico Reserve and other protected areas in Belize. There was a painting mural to which students were all invited to partake in. Also on display was art from trash and posters made by students about mangrove and reef conservation. Winners for these competitions were:
“Arts from Trash” Competition
1st Place -Juliannie Rivero from Isla Bonita (purse made out of recycled paper from coca cola bottles) – ($100 savings account from Belize Bank, 1gift bag, 1 engraved glass award)
2nd place- Nestor Castillo from Isla Bonita (portable gas stove from recycled materials)
(1 school bag filled with school supplies)
Poster Competition
1st Place- Arelee Parham-San Pedro R.C
(1 school bag filled with school supplies)
For the first time ever there was a triathlon competition were participants took part in swimming, biking and running. The triathlon took place on Saturday, May 25, 2013, and winners for the Under 14 Division were: 1st Place- Luis Carcamo won a beach cruiser bike and a gift bag, 2nd place- Esrom Aldana won a snorkeling set and a gift bag and 3rd place- Andy Rivero won a trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and a gift bag.
Andy Rivero (3rd Place), Luis Carcamo (1st Place) and Esrom Aldana (2nd Place)
In the adult category winners for the event were 1st Place- Eric Donis received an engraved glass award, a beach cruiser bike and a gift bag, 2nd Place- Brandon Santos won a one night stay with complimentary breakfast at Banyan Bay and an engraved glass award, 3rd Place- Jason Estrada received an engraved glass award and a trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Brandon Santos (2nd Place), Eric Donis (1st Place) and Jason Estrada (3rd Place)
It was a week full of educational activities to celebrate our natural heritage and create awareness. Ambergris Today salutes all the schools and participants in the week-long celebration and congratulates Hol Chan Marine Reserve for all its hard work and dedication in protecting our beautiful ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.
