A symbolic ribbon cutting
SOUTH REWARD–St. Maarten Community Collective-South Reward celebrated another milestone event on Sunday afternoon, when a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Community Collective and Milton Peters College was finally signed for the use of the outdoor basketball court.
Speakers at the signing included Community Collective-South Reward President Zahira Hilliman-Marmar, facility manager Richard Woods, professional basketball player Patrick Hilliman and Community Collective Treasurer Everonique Levenstone.
Hilliman-Marmar gave a brief overview of the initial formation of Community Collective-South Reward, the importance of its presence in their community and the impact of community togetherness.
Woods, who is facility manager at Milton Peters College as well as member of the Community Collective, highlighted the collaboration between Milton Peters College and Community Collective and the need for even more community partnership support.
St. Maarten’s own professional basketball player and resident of South Reward Patrick Hilliman commended the board, partners and members of Community Collective-South Reward for the outstanding work to which they have committed themselves to benefit the South Reward community and, by extension, St. Maarten.
Hilliman shared his journey from playing high school basketball in the United States to college basketball; his move to Spain where he played professional basketball for four years before moving to Holland, where he also played professionally for another two years.
He also spoke specifically to the two attending under-13 basketball teams of the importance of maintaining good grades in school while maintaining good performance on the court. “In order to maintain your basketball scholarship or remain on the basketball team, you must maintain good grades in school. It is a requirement,” said Hilliman.
Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion and Keoma Hamer of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister were also present during the ceremony.
Although not present for the celebration of the inauguration of the South Reward Basketball Court, Prime Minister William Marlin, himself a resident of South Reward for almost 30 years, said he was happy to have been able to assist the community organisation. Immediately after he was approached about support some time last year he contacted the Managing Director of Windward Roads and the company agreed to replace the asphalt base of the basketball court free of charge.
After the brief inaugural ceremony, a friendly game was played by under-13 basketball teams Learning Unlimited and Junior Cats. Junior Cats won the game.
The court is located next to the Milton Peters College campus.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/67753-south-reward-group-signs-mou-with-mpc
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