CyberKids Coding Summer Camp 2025: A Triumph of Vision, Values and Digital Leadership
- Winsome M. Sherrier Witter
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
CyberKids Coding Summer Camp 2025 Commencement Ceremony: A Triumph of Vision, Values and Digital Leadership
“Technology is the tool. Faith is the foundation.” — Ricardo Edwards, Founder, CyberKids Coding Camp
“This initiative is transforming Clarendon — we need more like it.”— Cllr. Joel Williams, Mayor of May Pen
The inaugural CyberKids Coding Summer Camp 2025 culminated in a heartwarming and transformative Commencement Ceremony at Foundation Preparatory School in Clarendon. In collaboration with the organisers, Serenity Resource Connector supported the camp as livestream host, speaker advisor and events coordination lead. Together, they created a platform that celebrated student achievement, community solidarity and ethical innovation in tech. Seventeen campers aged 7 to 11 — from Clarendon, Manchester, St. Catherine and even internationally — showcased the fruits of three weeks immersed in Python, creative problem-solving and values-based leadership.
Opening and Welcome - CyberKids Coding Summer Camp 2025
Clevena Brown, Youth Forum Host at Serenity Resource Connector, extended a gracious welcome to guests and partners, setting the tone for a morning rich with purpose. Special guests included:
Councillor Joel Williams, Mayor of May Pen
Bishop Hugh Dixon, Chief Servant Leader, The Ecclesia Family Ministries
Ms Latoya Bennett, Principal, Foundation Preparatory School
Mr Termario Daniels, President, Clarendon Parish Youth Council
Mr Zeco Brown, Parish Manager, HEART/NSTA Trust
Miss Eurica Douglas, General Manager, Clarendon Parish Development Committee
Mr Ricardo Edwards, Founder and Camp Director
Co-founders Zidane Gordon and Khalil McCalla
A symbolic grand entrance by the campers and the playing of the National Anthem marked the formal beginning.
A Higher Calling – Opening Blessing with Bishop Hugh Dixon
Bishop Dixon offered more than a prayer. He issued a charge: to serve with purpose and to build a Jamaica where faith and innovation walk hand in hand. Drawing wisdom from Gandhi and Scripture, he affirmed the camp as an example of what happens when young leaders answer a higher calling.
A Principal’s Pride – Ms Latoya Bennett
Principal Bennett shared her joy in hosting the camp, calling it a divine answer to prayer. She introduced a new scholarship for one outstanding camper, declaring Foundation Prep a birthplace of not only academic excellence but digital leadership. Her message to parents: embrace STEM as a vital part of nation-building.
Community Leaders on the Power of Technology
Mayor Joel Williams described the CyberKids initiative as “extraordinary” and “a gateway to opportunity.” He encouraged parents to invest in their children’s digital education and called on stakeholders to track the students’ journeys — from camp to greatness. Praising the programme as a game-changer for Clarendon’s future, he added, “These aren’t just children — they are visionaries.”
Zeco Brown of HEART/NSTA Trust echoed these sentiments, affirming that “skills pay the bills” and urging young people to continue building both technical and soft skills. He highlighted the alignment between CyberKids and national workforce goals, and encouraged young people to explore HEART’s advanced coding programmes.
Termario Daniels, Clarendon Parish Youth Council President, praised the camp’s founders and reminded us that “youth-led projects are the path forward for Jamaica.”
Director’s Report – Mr Ricardo Edwards
Mr Edwards recapped the camp’s objectives, sharing curriculum highlights:
Python Programming
Ethics and Online Citizenship
History of Computing
Logical thinking and debugging
Canvas LMS
He celebrated the success of all 17 campers, with 13 passing the final assessment and one scoring 99. His philosophy, now echoed by many: “Technology is the tool. Faith is the foundation.”
A Keynote to Remember – Eurica Douglas
Ms Douglas inspired all with her keynote address: “Code the Future – From Curiosity and Creation in Clarendon to the World.” She championed the importance of youth-led innovation, civic tech ethics, and community transformation. Her charge to campers: Use this moment as a launchpad.
Student Address – Abrielle Barrett
As Head Girl, Abrielle stood tall in representing her peers. She explained key lessons in Python and shared how the camp helped her overcome fears. Her confidence reflected the camp’s nurturing, faith-infused learning environment.
Certificate and Award Presentations
Campers were recognised not just for performance but for character:
Digital Trailblazers – Leadership and kindness
Full Stack Awards – Versatility and collaboration
Top Programmer – Scores above 90 percent
Ada Lovelace Award – Abrielle Barrett
Alan Turing Award – Jordan Hewitt
Director’s Award – Top overall scorer (99 percent)
Team Recognition
Acknowledgement was given to:
Ricardo Edwards, Zidane Gordon, Khalil McCalla – Founders
Nathan Hewitt – For his patience, tech support and mentorship
Gratitude Speech – Deshaun Mais and Zarie Edwards
The campers thanked all facilitators and affirmed their commitment to return as future mentors.
Zarie spoke earnestly about the camp’s focus on values, recalling a key takeaway from the first week: the importance of good ethics over bad — like why scamming is wrong — and how those lessons shaped her view of technology.
What the Parents Are Saying
Abrielle’s mom, Theresa Hyman-Barrett, expressed deep pride and gratitude for the chance to watch her daughter thrive.
Matthew’s aunt, Keisha Demetrius-Folkes, shared her joy at seeing her nephew participate. She commended the founders’ vision and urged other families to get involved early next year.
Zarie’s mom, Shakerah Edwards, praised the spiritual integrity of the camp: “Tech is the tool. Faith is the foundation. That’s something children need to hear and live by.”
Catch the Moments That Moved Us
Couldn’t make it live? From the stirring keynote and spontaneous applause to heartfelt parent interviews and student voices that stole the show — relive it all in these replays:
Watch, share, and be inspired by the next generation of coders, creators, and compassionate leaders.
SRC Back-to-School Live Forum Series
Get ready for an inspiring lineup of back-to-school conversations hosted by Serenity Resource Connector. Each live forum begins at 8 PM and will be streamed on the SRC YouTube Channel, Facebook and Instagram.
✨ Stay tuned @SerenityResourceConnector on YouTube and across platforms.
“If you have a child with potential — nurture it. Help them find their spark. You never know what world they'll shape.” – Keisha Demetrius-Folkes, Aunt of Matthew, Age 7
💻 This was only the beginning.
🎉 See you next year for CyberKids 2026.
📣 Join us this month for #SRCLive Back-to-School Forums!
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