Deep Creek Middle School Students Present Solutions to Tourism Challenges in The Bahamas

unior Tourism Speech Competition winners (from L-R) Ivey Dahlstrom - 1st, Megan Sweeting - 3rd, Aleice Goodman - 2nd (tie), Anna McCartney - 2nd (tie)

Grade 8 students at Deep Creek Middle School identified challenges with the tourism industry in The Bahamas and proposed possible solutions during speech contest

(FEBRUARY 26, 2010--Eleuthera, Bahamas)  Deep Creek Middle School grade 8 students participated in  a Junior Tourism Speech Contest as the culmination of a six week unit of study on tourism challenges and solutions for Eleuthera.  During the unit, students each identified a problem they found interesting and proposed solutions, backed by research and observations collected over the past six weeks.  Students studied the issues through site visits to local resorts, guest speakers, reading current events and research, and conducting tourist exit interviews.   Hot topics included restricting mega-resort development in The Family Islands, increasing promotion of Bahamian culture, and improving value for money. 


Ivey Dahlstrom of Deep Creek placed first in the competition with her speech about the challenge of high prices on Eleuthera.  Ivey received a two night stay at Unique Village and a two week internship at the Ministry of Tourism office on Eleuthera.  Second place was a tie and went to Anna McCartney and Aleice Goodman, both from Tarpum Bay.  Second place winners received a lunch for three at Bahamas Coffee Company at Cape Eleuthera resort. Third was went to Megan Sweeting of Green Castle.


Guest judges for the competition included Graham Siener, Sustainable Tourism expert from Cape Eleuthera Institute; Teresa Burrows, Educator and representative from The Eleutheran; Jackie Gibson, Ministry of Tourism; Chris Cates, businessman and DCMS board member; and Rudolph Smith, District Education Officer of Eleuthera.


“I wish to commend Dr. Paul, faculty, staff and students for their outstanding efforts that led to a successful speech competition by the grade 8 Tourism Unit, said Ms. Gibson.  “It was indeed a learning experience not only for me, but all present. The depth of research was phenomenal as was evident in both speech and varied visual presentations by each student. Many of the ideas and suggestions presented are well worthy for topics of conversation for the future sustainable Eleuthera.”


Deep Creek Middle School is the only private middle school in The Bahamas.  The mission of the school is “teaching the future leaders of The Bahamas.”  Applications for grades 7-9 will be accepted beginning March 1st, and any student from South Eleuthera is eligible to apply.  For more information on applying, please contact principal Dr. Joanna Paul at 242-334-8414.