The winners receiving their awards and certificates.
BELVEDERE--Milton Peters College (MPC) student Marley-Bo Deekman won first prize in the St. Maarten Institute for Public Policy Studies’ (SIPPS) Commemoration and Awareness Campaign on Dutch-colonial enslavement, with her essay “St. Maarten Behind the Veil”.
Deekman was among secondary-school students recognised during the campaign’s closing ceremony on August 27 at the Belair Community Center, where students from five schools received certificates of participation for their contributions to the months-long campaign.
Elonka N. Norris, representing the St. Maarten Youth Council, placed second with her essay “Slavery the Ever-Affecting Legacy we Disregard”.
Anthony H. P. Klien of St. Maarten Academy placed third with “We Story,” while Trinity O. Romney, also of St. Maarten Academy, was recognised for her essay “The History of St. Maarten”.
The participating schools were Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy, Learning Unlimited, MAC High and the St. Maarten Youth Council. SIPPS said the students’ position papers were analytical, courageous and deeply engaged and played a pivotal role in enriching and advancing local dialogue on the historical and contemporary impacts of Dutch-colonial enslavement on the people of St. Maarten.
The student recognition formed part of the closing ceremony for SIPPS’ months-long Commemoration and Awareness Campaign on Dutch-colonial enslavement. The event brought together students, educators, cultural practitioners and community members for an evening of reflection, recognition and forward-looking dialogue.
During the ceremony, SIPPS also unveiled a structured conceptual framework outlining what it described as a tenable, self-reliant pathway toward reparatory justice for harms imposed under Dutch colonial rule.
According to SIPPS, the framework brings together historical analysis, community perspectives and policy considerations and provides a practical foundation for continued national engagement on reparatory justice, restoration and collective empowerment.
The complete conceptual framework document is expected to be available to the general public by September 10. People who would like a copy can e-mail their request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The ceremony concluded with a dance recital dramatically reenacting a slave manumission, or release from slavery.
SIPPS said the artistic performance honoured the resilience, humanity and cultural memory of St. Maarten’s enslaved ancestors. The performance also reinforced the importance of remembrance, education and community-driven action.
SIPPS expressed appreciation to all participants, supporters and attendees who contributed to the campaign’s success.
The institute said it remains committed to fostering informed public dialogue, strengthening historical awareness and advancing pathways toward justice and societal transformation.
