JEVIENE HOILETT NAMED MOST OUTSTANDING YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER IN 2026 JCDC VISUAL ARTS COMPETITION
Young photographer Jeviene Hoilett is celebrating a major achievement after being named the Most Outstanding Youth Artist in the Discipline of Photography at the 2026 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Visual Arts Competition.
The recognition marks an important milestone in Hoilett’s developing photography journey and highlights the potential of young Jamaican creatives who are given the opportunity, guidance and encouragement to explore their talents.
Hoilett, who attended Seaforth High School, entered the competition as a junior participant after joining the school’s USF ICT Club at the beginning of the 2025 school term. At the time, she did not know that joining the club would ultimately lead to one of the most memorable achievements of her young career.
Her involvement with the club grew beyond simply being a participant.
Hoilett also served as the Treasurer of the USF ICT Club, taking on an important leadership responsibility while developing her skills and exploring her interest in photography.
A major influence in that journey was her teacher, Mr. Strachan, who was her MOB teacher and also the teacher responsible for the USF ICT Club.
Under his guidance, Hoilett was given the opportunity to explore photography and develop her creative abilities. His involvement with the ICT Club provided an environment where students could experiment, learn new skills and take part in opportunities they may not otherwise have considered.
For Hoilett, joining the club was a decision that changed the direction of her creative journey.
She entered the JCDC competition in the Junior Category without knowing what the outcome would be. She simply decided to try.
That decision, encouraged through the opportunities available to her through the USF ICT Club, became the beginning of an extraordinary accomplishment.
On October 1, 2026, Hoilett attended the JCDC Visual Arts Competition awards ceremony, where her hard work was recognized with four bronze medals, one for each of her four artworks. She also received three merit certificates for photographs that did not receive medals.
However, the biggest recognition of the day was being awarded the title of Most Outstanding Youth Artist in the Discipline of Photography for the 2026 competition.
Hoilett’s achievement is particularly significant because she was relatively new to photography when she entered the competition. Her experience demonstrates that young people do not necessarily have to begin as experts to achieve extraordinary results. Sometimes, all that is needed is an opportunity, the courage to participate and a teacher or mentor willing to provide guidance along the way.
Mr. Strachan’s contribution to Hoilett’s journey therefore deserves special recognition. As the teacher responsible for the USF ICT Club, he helped create the platform through which Hoilett was able to discover and pursue an emerging talent.
His impact represents the important role teachers play beyond the classroom. Educators can introduce students to new disciplines, encourage them to participate, provide leadership opportunities and help them recognize abilities they may not yet see in themselves.
Hoilett’s role as Treasurer of the ICT Club also reflects her ability to take on responsibility while balancing her academic, leadership and creative interests. Her experience demonstrates how extracurricular activities can help young people develop not only technical and artistic skills, but also confidence, responsibility and leadership.
For Hoilett, the decision to join the ICT Club ultimately opened the door to photography and led her to the JCDC stage, where she emerged as the 2026 Most Outstanding Youth Photographer.
Now a four-time bronze medalist and the title holder for Most Outstanding Youth Photographer, Hoilett has established an impressive foundation for her future in photography and the wider visual arts.
Her story is also a reminder that behind many young people’s achievements are teachers and mentors who create opportunities, offer encouragement and inspire students to take that first step.
For Jeviene Hoilett, that first step began with joining the USF ICT Club. Through her involvement, leadership as Treasurer and the guidance of Mr. Strachan, she discovered an emerging passion for photography and demonstrated just how far her creativity and determination could take her.
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