St Kitts and Nevis

Motto: “Excellence through Perseverance”

Date of Birth: 29th April, 1989.

Azard A.J.A Gumbs epitomizes the “well-rounded individual” whose commitment to formal education is enhanced by his involvement in extracurricular activities. He is a very young and proud citizen of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, who strongly believes in the empowerment of young people. Gumbs’ perception is that age plays no factor in preventing an individual from achieving his or her goals, regardless how high his or her expectations are, and he tries his best to prove that view.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Azard’s involvement in community work began at quite an early age. At the tender age of 12, he served the post of Public Relations Officer of the Washington Archibald High School Young Leaders, and remained an active member until his final years of high school. 

Gumbs’ love and involvement for youth development deepened as he became a member of the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association at the age of 14, where he currently serves as Public Relations Officer.  It is his affiliation with this group that has afforded him the opportunity, on numerous occasions, to debate national legislations in the National House of Assembly, during youth parliamentary sittings. It is experiences such as these that have added fuelled to Gumbs’ passion for debate, and his desire to make a positive difference within his community and his nation at large.

At the age of 18, he became its alternate Commonwealth Youth Ambassador of his Federation. During his tenure, he has already represented his Federation on various occasions. His most notable experience thus far, as the Federation’s Youth Ambassador, was when he travelled to Uganda, Africa to attend the Commonwealth Youth Forum in 2007.

Additionally, Gumbs serves as the Host of a youth television programme known as “Talking Point” in his country-St. Kitts. He is also aids in moderating a youth radio programme sponsored by National Caribbean Insurance called “Youth Transformation.”

As a result of Azard’s scholarship, leadership and service to his country, at the age of 19, he was inducted into The Liamuiga Youth Legacy Awards Association on December 14th 2008. This organization was founded 5 years ago to highlight the positive contributions of the nation’s youth. Gumbs is one of few persons to receive this award at such a young age since the inception of the group, and is to date the youngest inducted member of the Association.

EDUCATION

Regardless, Mr. Gumbs’ active involvement within the Federation, as it pertains to youth development; he has still managed to excel academically. In 2001, he was the valedictorian of his primary school’s graduating class- The Academy. Azard then attended the Washington Archibald High School where he was placed in the top class form 1A1. During his high school years, he remained in all the top classes and consistently made the Honour Roll and Principal’s List, until he graduated in 2006 having sat10 CXC subjects, all at General Proficiency, obtaining all passes with a number of distinctions. 

 In 2008, he was valedictorian of the graduating class of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College's Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies, achieving Summa Cum Laude (First Class Honours).  While completing his two years at the college, Azard achieved five grade one passes (the highest passing grade possible) from seven qualifying units in the Caribbean Examination Council's Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).  As a result, he was determined by Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), as the 2008 runner up State Scholar for St. Kitts and Nevis. Gumbs possesses an associate degree in environmental science under CXC, and intends to pursue further studies in the area of science- either biological science or biochemistry.

As a result of Mr. Gumbs’ academic accomplishment, he was offered the opportunity by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis’ request, to travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the 5th Summit of the Americas in April 2009, as a part of the federal delegation. Mr. Gumbs’ continues to express his gratitude to the Prime Minister for such an invitation. He stated that he has always had an interest in public service and politics from a very young age, and having attended the Summit he has gained a greater understanding of how Heads of Government interact, and communicate in order to table solutions to social, economic, and political issues on an international level.

RELIGION

“With God All Things Are Possible!” Azard thinks of himself as a young, positive, hard working, God-fearing individual. Who believes that life is not to be taken for granted, as it is a precious gift from God. He is a committed worker in his church.  He is a local preacher, Sunday school teacher, an usher, a member of the Methodist Youth Commission, and a past member of the 2nd and 8th St. Kitts Boys’ Brigade.

 PERSONAL MESSAGE TO FELLOW YOUNG PEOPLE

“It is time for us, as young people to make positive contributions within our societies. It is time we look at ourselves, and not to others, as agents of change, in communities where change is so drastically needed. Interestingly, as we look at our world today, we see so many changes and challenges. There is the advancement in technology, medicine, and overall living conditions, yet we are continuously faced with issues such as crime, violence and poverty. In a world like today, the cliché, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” could not be more relevant. As young people of our respected homes and communities, we must be mindful of our capabilities and to effect positive change where and when we can. Let us use our age as an advantage, as an opportunity to learn and develop our talents as much as we can, as soon as we can! ” - Azard Gumbs