Skeldon Line Path tops essay contest

The Skeldon Line Path Secondary School emerged the winner in the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (UCCCI) schools essay contest and also did well in the debating competition.

Aleshia February of the Form 4C, won first place followed by Nelece Alyssa Jaundoo of Form 5A, second and Oneefa Murray of Form 4B, third, a press release said.

In the primary school category, Tia Valz of Corriverton 6C placed first, followed by Mahendra Chaitnarine of Skeldon 6C, second and Lamisha Pillay, also of Skeldon 6C, third.

The UCCCI said from a targeted student population of about 5000, 59 essays were submitted by the primary schools and 109 by the secondary schools. On receipt of the essays, the UCCCI submitted them to four judges, three of whom are former teachers: Bhawase Harripaul, a former Head Teacher at a primary school; Anita Ragnauth and Seeraj Seepersaud, both former teachers at secondary schools and Dr Bart Sackrule, a retired sociologist from Canada. “Each essay was read by the respective judges and the selection was agreed upon by two judges in each category,” the release said.

Tagore Memorial Secondary placed first in the debating contest followed by the Skeldon High Secon-dary, second and Skeldon Line Path Secondary, third. Skeldon Line Path Secondary’s Yogeeta Ghan-sham was named Best Speaker. Prizes, including trophies and cash, were presented to the winners at an awards ceremony held on Friday at the UCCCI Office. USAID Democracy and Governance Officer Dhanmattie Sohai, GEP Civil Society Coordinator Ruth Lee and UCCCI President Vishnu Doerga also addressed the audience.