In essay competition…
PEPSI, sponsor of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World T20 and local bottler Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), on Thursday, rewarded the outstanding performers in the Secondary Schools Essay Competition. The students, aged 13 to 17 years, as part of the drive to spread the ICC Twenty 20 cricket spirit, were invited to write essays of no more than 2,000 words on the topic ‘A cricketer I admire.’
Hundreds of entries were submitted from which Charlestown Secondary School student Ashley Jaisingh, 16, of Lot 4 Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara, emerged victorious.
She won the first prizes of a laptop computer, for herself; a desktop computer for her school; tickets to the ICC World Twenty 20 cricket matches at Providence Stadium and a chance to participate in the coin toss with the captains yesterday.
Her winning essay gave reasons for her admiration of 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,” she wrote.
At the presentation ceremony in Charlestown Secondary School Thursday, Jaisingh disclosed that she has always wanted a computer of her own to assist her with her studies.
Her English teacher, Ms. Ronice Livingstone, who was instrumental in providing the girl with encouragement and support, said she is proud of her student, who has done so well.
“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,” Livingstone remarked.
DDL Brand Executive, Ms. Alexis Crawford said there were various promotions to proliferate the cricket spirit, for which tickets and other prizes were offered but Pepsi and her company 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 said.
She said, too, that it was just another DDL initiative to help develop the schools’ programmes.
Three other winners in the contest, Clarence Gaim, 13, from Unique Academy, of Lot 24 Crystal Spring, Malgre Tout, West Bank Demerara; Elizabeth Ojha, 14, from Bishops’ High School, of Lot 71 First Street, Montrose and Taramattie Shivraj, 13, of  Lot 28 Strathavon, Cane Grove, also on East Coast Demerara, won tickets, as well, to the local matches, a digital camera and a free supply of Pepsi for one year, in that order. (Michel Outridge)