– student gets laptop, cricket tickets, and a chance to join the coin toss
Pepsi, sponsor of the ICC World T20 and local bottler Demerara Distillers Limited, yesterday rewarded secondary school students for outstanding performances in the secondary school essay competition. As part of activities to spread the ICC Twenty 20 cricket spirit, secondary school students between the ages of 13-17 were invited to write an essay of no more than 2000 words on the topic “A cricketer I admire”.
Hundreds of students submitted entries but Charlestown Secondary School student Ashley Jaisingh, 16, of Lot 4 Sarah Johanna came out victorious, winning the first prizes of a laptop computer for herself, a desktop for her school, tickets to the local ICC World Twenty 20 Cricket games at the Providence Stadium and a chance to participate in the coin toss with the captains on the opening day.
Her winning essay outlined reasons for her admiration for famous Guyanese cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul. “I admire him for his belief in God.  I am truly moved by how he acknowledges God for his accomplishments. His belief in God, his determination, his courageous and challenging personality and his patriotism are among many other distinguishing qualities that have remarkably impacted on my life from as little as age six. It is Tiger’s words and actions that I use as a guide to journey through life.”
At a handing over ceremony at the Charlestown Secondary school  yesterday, Jaisingh expressed her excitement saying she has always wanted a computer of her own which will assist her in her studies.

Jaisingh’s English teacher Ronice Livingstone, who was instrumental in providing encouragement and support, said she is proud of her student who has done so well. “I am very proud of her; she has worked hard to win this. She also has placed Charlestown in the spotlight because people can now see we are doing well just as the top schools in Guyana.”
DDL’s Brand Executive Alexis Crawford said there were various promotions to spread the cricket spirit where tickets and other prizes were given away but Pepsi and DDL also wanted students to be part of the excitement.
“We focused our attention on the schools because we wanted students to be part of the cricket spirit and also win great prizes. I commend Ashley for winning, it was a well-done essay. It goes to show also that Charlestown has gifted students and I hope the desktop will encourage them to keep improving their writing skills.”

Crawford added that this is just another initiative by DDL to assist in the development of the schools’ programmes.
There are three other winners Clarence Gaim from the Unique Academy school, 13, of 24 Crystal Spring, Malgre Tout, Bishops High School Elizabeth Ojha, 14, of 71 First Street Montrose and Taramattie Shivraj, 13, of 28 Strathavon, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara. They won tickets to the ICC Twenty 20 cricket matches, a digital camera and free supply of Pepsi for one year. (Tagman press statement)