Tourism Minister Stuart Johnson, Rotary International President Barry Rassin and several members of various Rotary Clubs in St. Maarten, including Rotary Sunset Club, pose for a photo shortly after Rassin arrived at Princess Juliana International Airport on Wednesday.
AIRPORT--Fanfare was the order of the day at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) when Rotary International (RI) President Barry Rassin stepped onto the tarmac around 4:00pm Wednesday. He was greeted by a large delegation led by Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Stuart Johnson.
President Rassin was also met outside the airport arrival hall by the District Governor for St. Maarten, his wife, and current Presidents, Secretaries and members of the various local Rotary Clubs.
Minister Johnson said, “As a Rotarian and a Minister in the Council of Ministers for the Government of St. Maarten, I take great pride in welcoming the Rotary International President to St. Maarten. I am pleased that he has taken the time to visit us here in St. Maarten.”
Also part of the welcoming committee were Rotary Sunset President Jaida Nisbett, District Governor Nominee Designate Louis Wever and his wife Amanda Wever, Secretary Elisia Lake and other members of the club.
Nisbett presented Rassin with a St. Maarten scarf which he wore from the tarmac to the arrival hall where he was greeted with a ponum dance performance by National Institute of Arts students Ray Angel Simon, Zacquell Phipps, Tyreke Arrindell, Naomi Jonelle Wasop, Faith Peterson and Kiara Vanterpool.
Local performance kings Kenyo Baly, King James and King Vers as well as Carnival Queens were also on hand to welcome Rassin. Senior Queen Shanice Powell handed him some welcome gifts and a few words of welcome.
Johnson said following Rassin’s arrival, “Considering that it is the first visit of the RI President, we want to give him a real St. Maarten welcome and show him the type of atmosphere that this incredible country has which draws people from around the world to our shores.
“A strong relationship with Rotary International is significant for the island, as there are often many events that the Rotary Club holds annually with its members, and we in St. Maarten can play a major role in hosting these events. We can also benefit from and be part of the Rotary Club International’s many outreach programmes.”
