By Daniel Haynes

EVER heard the saying, “The name says it all, or words to that effect?” If you haven’t, then a fitting example of this assertion is 22-year-old Treasure, whose name does indeed have a lot to say about who she really is. Born May 27, 1993, Treasure Alana James is the second of three children, all of them girls.
Born and raised in Mabaruma, in the Barima-Waini Region One area, her life, as is commonly associated with the region, has always been a simple one.
Due to the community not having electricity during the day and only at nights, Treasure developed a liking for the outdoors and a sense of adventure that she has carried throughout her life.
A past pupil of Mabaruma Primary, she wrote the then ‘Common Entrance’ examinations in 2005, and was the best graduating student for her region that year.
That achievement saw her gaining entrance to the prestigious President’s College, and living for five years in a dormitory, an experience she credits with being responsible for her independent nature and people skills.
A serious sportswoman, Treasure dominated the field while at secondary school in both ‘sprint’ and ‘high jump’, but her love for sports did not always translate on the track or in her training habits.
She was the third best graduating student from President’s College when she finished, and the best Hinterland Scholarship graduating student of 2010.
She then went on to Queen’s College, where she obtained an Associate’s Degree in Natural Science. She also completed her Associate’s Degree in Chemistry at The University of Guyana, and is now pursuing a medical degree at the Texila American University.
Treasure, however, is not just about academics, as she is also a professional model, having learnt from one of the best in the n occasion for acclaimed local designer Donna Ramsammy James and still currently models for her.
She was also Miss Region One in 2010, Miss Amerindian Heritage 1st Runner Up in 2011. In 2014, she became Miss Texila American University.
Treasure, who is very socially conscious, calls herself a ‘feminist’, and hopes that one day she can help fully achieve equality for women.
She believes that what a man can be, he must be, and one day wants to volunteer in underprivileged societies around the world.
Treasure is a rare soul, and someone that touches your life in the short moments you know her.
Her friendly nature, winning smile and easy-to-get-along-with personality makes her a dream.