The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has announced the winners in its Heritage Month Essay Competition.

In a press release, the ministry said 10-year-old Bibi Fazaana Ali of the West Ruimveldt Primary School and of River View Ruimveldt is the first prize winner in the nine to 11-year-old category. Giselle Fitzpatrick, 10, of Green Acres Primary School and of Grove New Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was judged the second prize winner and nine-year-old Michael Phang of Marian Academy and of Third Avenue, Subryanville, third.

In the 12-14-year-old category Mikael Phang, 13, of Marian Academy and also of Third Avenue, Subryanville was judged the first place winner. The second and third prize winners are Fazil Rahaman, 13, of Zenon Academy and of Third Street, Grove, EBD and 14-year-old Soyini McPherson of Bishop’s High and Baramita Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens.

Two 15-year-old students at the Anna Regina Secondary School copped the first and second prizes in the 15-16-year-old category, the release said. They are Yeeshana Ganpat of Reliance and Amrita Persaud Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast. The third prize winner was Duane Joseph Edwards, 15, of Skeldon Line Path Secondary and of Circle Street, Skeldon, Corriverton.