Anasie Fredericks – This 13-year-old hails from Lake Tapakuma, a small indigenous village in Region Two, and is a student at the Bishops’ High School. Anasie believes the programme will have a significant impact on her social life, and it is an experience she anticipates.
Motivated by her friends to apply, Anasie sees this new venture as one that will make her a better individual. “I would spend the sub-grant on hampers for the less fortunate. Many have lost their jobs and cannot afford to care for their family. Looking at the situation from their perspective, I am heartbroken since it is not easy to watch your family suffer and stand there helplessly,” she said when asked how she would spend the 20% sub-grant if it was awarded to her.
Aneisa Harriram – This 12-year-old who will be 13 this month is the second of five children. “The programme will give me the opportunity to volunteer my time, promote my platform and better service my community. I believe in myself and being accepted in this programme will motivate me to do my best. I will compete with confidence. God has gifted each of us in different yet equally important ways and our task in life is to discover and use these gifts to fulfil his purpose in our life. Whether or not I win this pageant I will continue to be incredible and strive for a special and significant purpose,” Aneisa said.
A student of Annandale Secondary, her favourite subjects are English, Social Studies, Home Economics, Portuguese, Information Technology, and the Arts. Considering herself an introvert, Aneisa is certain the digital programme will help in this area.
“…. I will use my 20% to extend emergency benefits to caregivers of children in childcare facilities participating in the child and adult feeding programmes and further support them in periods beyond the COVID-19 responses and other disasters or emergencies,” she added.
Dianty Persaud – “I would spend the grant to buy necessities for orphanages because I am acquainted with an orphan. Most of their food items and clothing are usually donated thus their supplies are sometimes limited, this grant would enable me to help them during this pandemic,” Dianty said.
Currently a student at St Stanislaus College, this 16-year-old is an aspiring paediatrician who loves cycling, socializing, and playing hockey. Should she win the scholarship, she will move closer to realizing her career as a children’s doctor.
Divya Mohan – “Divya is a teacher who aspires to get the best out of her kids at school. She absolutely loves her job, gaining a great sense of achievement from seeing her students develop and grow as individuals. This 18-year-old is a positive person who has an enthusiastic outlook on life,” was how Divya described herself.
Having a love for pageantry and wanting to be a role model for other aspiring teachers, she applied for the programme. If she is awarded the 20% grant, Divya intends to put it towards assisting the vulnerable and elderly with groceries and hampers.
Donyale Nurse – Donyale is an introverted-extrovert, that is, she prefers solitude but if she needs to be outgoing and interactive, she can switch it up. Extremely friendly and loyal, this 18-year-old prospective student at the University of Guyana is quite the hockey player, but when she’s not rocking on the field, she enjoys singing and painting. The latter having increased since she has been stuck at home during the pandemic, now that she has more time for herself she is using it to improve her aesthetics and creativity
This young woman possess great communication skills and is team-oriented, which she believes are exactly what is needed in this programme. She looks forward to not only the knowledge that she will gain but also the bonds of friendship that will be created.
“I would consider spending the 20% sub-grant on sanitation supplies for an orphanage because most orphanages need these things, like most people. However I think children should be put first in these desperate times,” she said.
Jordana Adams – Sixteen-year-old Jordana, a Science student at Brickdam Secondary School, considers herself to be caring, honest and creative. “I’m very wise and very open when it comes to social matters. I think this is the perfect platform to not only educate myself more, but to also educate other persons on important matters that are going on in society today, especially among teens,” Jordana said.
Should she be awarded the 20% sub-grant, she intends to provide the less fortunate with food and other essential supplies.
Kayla King – “I would without a doubt donate that sum to the Palms for the elderly, as well as personally volunteer to help out in the home,” Kayla said. “Helping out and giving back to the elderly has always been a wanting for me. Without those elderly folks who’ve come before us, so much would’ve been different for the world today. While we may not realize it, they’ve paved ways upon ways for us, and it seems like they’re somewhat forgotten about when it shouldn’t be that way. They deserve to be compensated for all they have done so that we could have the world we have today and that’s what I’d do with that sum of money and why.”
A determined young woman, 17-year-old Kayla, a former student of Leonora Secondary School intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communications at the University of Guyana, an academic interest that would support her love for literature, entrepreneurship in fashion, marketing, and modelling. She someday plans on having her own makeup line.
Aside from taking up the opportunity because of the prized scholarship, Kayla noted she is someone who is a believer in and advocate for women empowerment, one of the many things this programme promotes.
Kristie Kissoon – This 15-year-old student at Covent Garden Secondary School said she has always had a passion for music. “I was singing since I could speak,” she said. She also plays the guitar and writes music. Kristie is an animal lover. She has always had pets and now she has two dogs to care for which bring her much joy. She noted that she takes her responsibilities very seriously because she is determined to achieve her goals.
“My inspiration for joining this programme is my mother. Growing up she taught me that no matter what, I had to be strong and follow my dreams. This programme will help me fulfil those dreams. I’ve always wanted to become a doctor (cardiologist) not only to give back to my country but to save the lives of others…,” Kristie said.
With the pandemic rendering persons jobless and homeless, Kristie plans to bring assistance to the vulnerable should she be awarded the sub-grant.
Kriston Smith – Raised in Bartica but a resident of the East Coast Essequibo, Kriston is a former youth parliamentarian. Now 16 years old, she is currently a CSEC student of the Zeeburg Secondary School who regularly participates in cultural activities, sports, and all sorts of extracurricular activities; her academic and career interests lie in the fields of law and politics. She also hopes to study literature as she loves poetry, as well as the arts.
“I very much believe that youths have more power than we are credited. The youths of Guyana are awakening and realizing this, and I have always wanted to be a part of such events. By the end of this programme I expect to gain experience and learn from everyone else that participates alongside me in this programme. I also hope to be more open minded and as a young woman achieve an even stronger sense of identity,” she said.
Kriston has many ideas for her 20% sub-grant should she receive it. She wants to organize a group that would focus on humanitarian needs by the purchasing essential supplies families need. She is also thinking of helping hospital staff with this money as well as homeless people. This grant can also go to funding children in need of an education during the pandemic, she pointed out.
Renee Amjad – A first year student at the University of Guyana, Renee is majoring in Management Studies and she can already see herself collecting a master’s degree. This 17-year-old describes herself as outgoing and loyal, though her friends would describe her as crazy. A proud Bartician, she loves soca music, pageantry, and volunteerism for community development, especially after serving as a former president for the Leo Club of Bartica.
“I have learnt that people can be destructive or supportive and the biggest thing is nothing matters if you don’t believe in yourself,” Renee said. “Being in this programme will teach me to be confident and to love myself. I have to challenge myself to be a better public speaker, communicator and to gain skills in public presentation and performance under pressure, and I expect to benefit all these goals under the programme since there will be great mentors along the process.”
Should she receive the grant, she will gift it to the Bartica Hospital to help with the fight in the pandemic.
Sarah Noordwyk – Seventeen-year-old Sarah is the youngest model at a modelling agency, a position she is very proud of. She is currently a CSEC student at St John’s College, aspiring to become a lawyer among many options she has before her. Sarah lives in Haslington, East Coast Demerara with her mother and two sisters. She appreciates the hard work and support her mother gives to her family.
Sarah sees this programme as an enhancement to her communications skills as well as the needed boost for her self-esteem.
“I would donate hampers to single parents who might be in desperate help of these supplies. The reason I would do this is because due to COVID-19, there are lots of parents who aren’t currently working and as such they might have difficulties providing for their families,” Sarah said.
Sephora Persaud – Ambitious and driven is how 16-year-old Sephora describes herself. She is currently a CSEC student at Queen’s College, working towards attending the University of Guyana from 2021. Sephora is passionate about her schoolwork and is determined to get her tasks done.
“It would be exemplary. I expect to become the best version of myself through this programme. I would also love to learn about all of what the Imperial House has to offer,” she said.
With the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre holding a special place in Sephora’s heart, should she receive the sub-grant, she would fund this centre with food and other essential supplies.
Shequana Holder – A student at Anna Regina Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast, Shequana enjoys singing, dancing, modelling, and making new friends. She is 16 years old and intends to continue her education in Georgetown.
“As a young lady growing up I have always wanted to be able to speak for those young people that are unable to speak for themselves and being a part of this programme would be a step in the right direction,” Shequana said.
“I would consider giving the 20% sub-grant as hampers which would include foodstuff for less fortunate children in my community. I have observed that the children who come from less fortunate homes are often the ones willing to learn because that’s the only way they see the possibilities of a better life for them and their families. With my support there would be no need to leave their homes in search of food and they would also be safe.”
Tehillah Sobers – A self-described passionate and dedicated person who is very creative, Tehillah said she puts her all into everything she does with energy and enthusiasm, and she is extremely committed to all tasks given to her. This 18-year-old Bishops’ High School student loves working in teams. According to her, “teamwork makes the dream work”. She said she is adventurous and loves meeting new people from different cultures and ethnicities and learning about their lifestyles. Tehillah intends to join the University of Guyana as a student in September 2021.
“I believe it is an opportunity to meet like-minded youths from across Guyana. I see myself positively engaging in this experience because I believe I work well with other people, and I am very open-minded. It excites me when I am given the opportunity to meet and interact with people from lifestyles, cultures and ethnicities that are different from mine. I love diversity and believe there is unity found there. The varying opinions from the other leaders will make discussions and activities very interesting and I truly look forward to that. This programme is an opportunity to be empowered and have fun while learning. I believe the knowledge I receive will benefit myself and my country,” Tehillah said.
She would use the sub-grant to help less fortunate families.
Teija Edwards – Teija (pronounced “Tay-yuh”) is a 16-year-old national athlete, musician and aspiring cultural ambassador who attends the Bishops’ High School. Teija has a deep love for her Caribbean culture and heritage especially when it comes to the arts, more specifically music; this is evident every time she plays the steelpan. Wrapping up her studies at high school, Teija already has her eyes on a university education.
“It would give me a great opportunity to meet new people and possible mentors, improve different areas of myself and hopefully others in the process,” she said.
With so many families been put on the breadline during this pandemic, should she receive the sub-grant, she intends to focus her efforts in this area.
Trinity Thompson – A Third Form student at New Guyana School, 15-year-old Trinity loves to dance and sing. She is very excited to be part of the Miss Guyana Teen Scholarship Pro-gramme and intends to give it her all.
“I am young, beautiful, talented and intend to see Guyana move forward according to the word spoken, ‘Guyana is the breadbasket of the Caribbean’. I expect to benefit by using this platform to reach other young girls like myself throughout Guyana for them to be able to see past their boundaries,” said Trinity.
“I would like to donate my 20% to the Palms Geriatric Nursing Home. I would like to buy brand new slippers for as many elderly people as possible,” she added.
Meanwhile, according to Imperial House, each session will be assessed through online interviews, oral reports, assignments, or essays. The candidate with the highest grade will be awarded a $75,000 grant, of which 20% must be dedicated towards a charity or social programme of her choice; one that preferably aids in the health response of the COVID-19 pandemic, food and essential supplies for vulnerable groups, or education support for children. The awarded candidate may also organise her own activity.
Successful candidates of the online programme will be automatically placed as quarter-finalists for the 2021 Miss Guyana Teen Scholarship Pageant, where they will fully participate in the training programme, and have the opportunity to vie for the Miss Guyana Teen Scholar crown which currently comes with a $400,000 scholarship award.
Candidates will participate in 16 webinars in three modules. The modules are on Self-awareness and Value, Professionalism and Etiquette, and Human Rights and Social Development.
The Imperial House will be using Google suite services such as Google Drive and Google Classroom, as well as WhatsApp, Facebook and Zoom to engage with candidates, and have interactive and convenient sessions during the programme.
To financially support any of the candidates’ COVID-19 res-ponse mission, or their journey as a through the Miss Guyana Teen Scholarship Programme, donors can email tihguyana@gmail.com
