BELIZE CITY, Sun. Jan. 2, 2022– Seven remarkable Belizeans, who have been instrumental in the development of the nation throughout the years, were honored by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, at the end of 2021. The appointments of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George and the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire were announced on New Year’s Eve by the Office of the Governor-General.

For his contribution to entrepreneurship and the community, Sean Feinstein was named a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Civil Division. Acting Chief Justice, Michelle Arana was honored for her contribution to the field of law and public service; while, Gordon Roe was honored for his contribution to entrepreneurship and the community. Both Arana and Roe were named Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E). Honored as Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) are Florencia Castillo, for her contribution to the community, Dr. Marcelo Coyi for his contribution to the medical profession and the community, Joel “Dara” Robinson for his contribution to the community, and Senator Elena Smith, for her contribution to education and unionism.

In an interview on KREM News, Senator Smith commented on her reaction to receiving such an award. “I think first off, I have to thank God. I have to say thanks to my family, because many days my children went without me being around. I saw it, and I don’t know how to react. I have been teaching for 37 years now, I have given over 20 consecutive [years] of my life to unionism. I have served at the local level of my branch and I ended up at a national level,” she said.

“My mind went back to 2005. I was one of the persons on the frontlines, and we really did a number on the government that year; it was a PUP government. In 2016, the BNTU stood up again, and it was a UDP government, and this year, it’s a PUP government again, and we stood up our longest strike ever in 2021,” she further noted.

Senator Smith stated that she does not want this award to be a suggestion of any political affiliation on her part.

“I don’t want this award coming to me under this government at this time to maybe put a cloud over the union that people might want to look at it in a political way,” she said.