Seven finalists gathered at Camden House yesterday to receive certificates and grants from Premier Alex Scott for the Tom Pettit Thanksgiving Essay Competition.

A $1,000 grant was presented to the winner David Amaro, as well as $1,000 for his school, Mount Saint Agnes Academy.

The other six finalists Rasheeda Burgess, Chelsea Radigan, Candace DeSilva, Kristina Taylor, Marianna Russo, and Sarah DeSilva received $500 each and "Commendation of Excellence" certificates.

Robin Mehta, president of Inter-Ocean Reinsurance Company Ltd., and co-sponser of the contest presented the prizes.

Student writers have been granted over $30,000 in prizes since the competition was established in 1997 by Patricia Pettit, principle in Pembroke Atlantic Ltd., who is a co-sponser for the contest.

Mr. Amaro's winning essay was 500 words about the challenges Hurricane Fabian brought to him and his family.

Mr. Amaro told The Royal Gazette: "My house was struck by Hurricane Fabian and my family and I had to move out for a month to my grandmother's house."

He added, "I'm greateful God gave me the strenght to remain strong. I want to dedicate my story to me great grandfather who died yesterday morning."

The contest was open to all schools and had 246 essay's submitted.