–earns special gift from President Granger

NOONE could be prouder than Christine Valenzuela when she learnt that her baby was included on the list of the top 233 local candidates who secured eight or more Grade Ones at the June 2018 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

The youngster, at reference, is 17-year-old Mark Ryan Wilburg of North West Secondary, whose eight Grade Ones and three Grade Twos not only earned him the coveted title of valedictorian at his school’s graduation ceremony, but also a slew of prizes, among them several trophies, gifts and gift vouchers, a personal plaque from President David Granger,as well as a plaque for the school on which his name and that of successive students will be engraved.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle last Thursday after the graduation ceremony, Ms. Valenzuela said she was not at all surprised at her son’s performance.

“Mark has always been a self-motivator,” she said. “He was always gifted, and I have had no difficulties with him. He would sit and do his work, and I was always very thankful for that.”

A primary school teacher herself, Ms. Valenzuela said that as a single parent, she has worked hard to see her children accomplish their dreams.
“I have four boys and they all did well; all four of them excelled, and I am very grateful,” she said, unable to hold back the tears of joy.
Mark is the youngest, the eldest is a teacher at St. Roses High in Georgetown.

ITS OWN DISTRACTIONS

It is not as if Mabaruma is any better than the other communities in Region One. “Mabaruma, like many other communities in Guyana, has its own distractions, especially for young people,” Ms Valenzuela said. But what she is most grateful for is that like his older siblings, Mark did not allow any of that to stand in the way of his studies.

He’s the first to admit that he couldn’t have done it by himself. “My gratitude belongs to the Man above, and to all the incredibly helpful and kind people who have been placed in my life,” Mark said.
“I wish to share this time with you, to laugh, to smile and to cry, because before I realise it, so many precious years have gone by.

“For this academic year and our entire school life, the five years of having the privilege to get to know each other have been the happiest and more memorable times of my life,” he told fellow graduates as he congratulated them for also doing well, and reminisced on the happy days they shared together.

Looking back on the last five years he spent at North West Secondary, Mark readily admitted that it was no ‘bed of roses’, in that while he rarely had issues academically, he had his fair share of hardships in other ways, which he eventually managed to conquer and learn from.

“I can proudly and honestly say that they have helped to shape the individual that I am today in a unique way, and I am glad for all the experiences North West Secondary School would have given me, and thankful for all the relationships and friendships I have experienced.”

SPECIAL THANKS

But there were a few people he particularly wanted to thank. “Sometimes it is good to let people know of your gratitude to others, and so I wish to let Guyana know and to offer special thanks to all of my teachers, who in various ways assisted me tremendously in my fundamental growth towards education,” Mark said.

He noted that many of his teachers played vital roles in his social, spiritual and emotional life, which he said included his primary and nursery school teachers.

He also holds dear the Broomes family, especially Mr. Uri Broomes and Ms. Ave Broomes.“Your contributions are greatly appreciated and well noted from not just me, but all the others who would have enjoyed your services.I cannot express how much of an impact you have had on my success, as words would not permit.”

Mark said that he is filled with only fond memories of his journey through North West Secondary.

“I feel empowered in saying that as students, we can all step into society undaunted to make a significant impact; leaving the world we inherit today, better and more prosperous in the world of tomorrow.”