An award ceremony for the second China-Guyana Friendship Youth Leadership Development Competition was held yesterday at the Chinese Embassy.
The competition is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, which aims to create and celebrate well-rounded students. The winners received a trophy and a cash prize of $210,000.
The competition which was open to all schools received 300 applicants per region, and of those 300 applicants, eight were chosen and two won, with there being two winners per region.
The theme for this year’s competition was “Fifty years of Friendship and Co-operation.” The winners were: Michael Dolivera, of Port Kaituma Secondary School; Aralicia Smith of Santa Rosa Secondary; Onelley Holder of Abram Zuil Secondary School; Darius Ramana of Johanna Cecilia Secondary School; Subrina Singh of Parika/Salem Secondary School; Elita Harris of Uitvlugt Secondary; Dejaun Grant and Shaquita Sue from Presidents College; Maxsean Usher of Belladrum Secondary; Ezekiel Maxwell of Novar Secondary; Silena Bhola and Akeela Meusa of Berbice Educational Institute; Raydon Krammer of DC Caesar; Shawn Jones of Bartica Secondary; Kezia Reuben and Indeira John of Kato Secondary; Diego Dookram and Shoshanna Edwards of Annai Secondary; Joshua Leuca and Faith Langevine of Kwakwani Secondary; Ariel Mohanlall from Queens College and T’Sehai Holder from Saints Stanislaus College.
The competition focussed on four main areas: 1) presentation of art piece, 2) critique of art work, 3) participation in physical activity; 4) and a community-based project. One winner from Queen’s College, Ariel Mohanlall, spoke about the ways in which participating in the competition helped her by allowing her to break out of her shell and become more comfortable with public speaking. It also caused her to be more active in her community. Her project was aimed at supplying food hampers to members of her community, such as single parents and the differently abled. As such, she wrote letters to various institutions requesting donations, organized a can drive at her school, and appeared on her local radio channel to raise awareness about her cause.
The ceremony was addressed by the Chinese Ambassador, Guo Haiyan, and the Permanent Secretary Alfred King who noted that this programme is just one facet of Minister of Education’s new vision for the educated child. This vision hopes to see every child leave school with the ability to either play a music instrument or participate in sports and recreational activities. The ministry is also mulling the establishment a desk to facilitate students being actively involved in pursuing community service activities. King expressed the hope that this competition will help create citizens who will go on to live well and will in turn serve their country and community, adding, “To serve well and exceptionally well is but a gift and a calling.”
In her remarks, the Ambassador said: “In May last year, I was invited to watch the art competition at Queen’s College. Art is very important for moral purity and spiritual enrichment. During that day’s competition, eight candidates presented poems, dance, paintings, drum and karate performances. I was so impressed by their genius, passion and dedication. I believe that for the participants, you have not only won applause, built self confidence, acquired skills and made improvements out of this competition, but also gained two meaningful rewards for your life.
“One is self-awareness. To know yourself, is a famous inspiration given by Socrates, the well-known ancient Greek philosopher. Actually, the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu who was born one century before Socrates, has already suggested that `those who know others are discerning, but those who know themselves are truly wise’. Only by recognizing our interests, aspirations, advantages and limits firstly can we find our true orientation and North Star in life and unleash our full potential, thus achieve remarkably and contribute to the progress of our society, our motherland and the whole world.
“To know yourself is crucial, but not easy. The competition includes community-based project, work of art, physical fitness challenge, which are helpful to trigger or deepen your self-awareness. I believe that today’s awarding ceremony is not an end, but a new starting point for your self-awareness and self-realization.
“The other reward is to appreciate another civilization.This year marks the 170th anniversary of Chinese arrival in Guyana. As one of the Six Peoples, local Chinese communities have served as historical ties between China and Guyana. I am glad to see that you are quite familiar with Chinese cultural symbols, and many Guyanese friends enjoy having Chinese food, speaking Chinese to Chinese in the street, wearing Chinese traditional costumes, and watching lion dances. Panda, the Great Wall and Chinese dragon are fairly displayed in some of your artworks, which are ingenious, colorful and appealing. I heard that Mr Braithwaite and my colleague Mr Qin are using some of your paintings as the background of their computers”.
The Ministry of Education and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China have already signed an agreement to proceed with the third China-Guyana Friendship Youth Leadership Development Competition.
Guo Haiyan (Ministry of Education photo)
