TAMYA HEALIS, a 24-year-old Bartican took up the initiative to motivate students in her hometown to strive for excellence.

At the Three Miles Secondary School graduation last week, Healis launched her award, “Tamya Healis Award”, abbreviated THA.

In an interview with this newspaper, the young woman said the award was created with three objectives in mind.

These are: to bring awareness of the importance of investing positively in education; to encourage upcoming students to strive for academic excellence; and to attract students to the Social Sciences, with emphasis on economics, for the developments of self, Bartica and Guyana.

She further shared why she deems it important to do well in school.

“It first started out when I was in Prep B, I wasn’t much of a highflier but I did well, and one thing my mother always ensured was that we go to school every day. So I never missed a day. I can recall when I was in primary school, at the end of every school year there would be an award ceremony that they would give out trophies to students for different things. And I can remember sitting in the auditorium with my friends and my name called for one of the awards – best attendance. I was shocked but happy at the same time,” Healis said.

She added: “I then realised how such a small gesture would have such a ripple effect, because after I got that award, as a child I kept thinking I wanted more awards. It felt good to be recognised. So I realised that I have to move from just going to school every day, to perform better in what I do in my work. And I did. I aimed for top of the class, I graduated from primary school as third in the region, and from secondary school as first in the region,” she added.

Healis said as small as an award may seem, it really is a vast motivating factor for students.

Since she left Bartica to pursue higher education, she always thought about ways to give back to her community. Her passion for giving back, paired with her belief in awarding people for achievements, sparked the idea of creating her own award.

“The awards that I was given during my school life, aided in moulding me into the individual I am today. And I want to provide that same motivator to other students because I know how it will impact their lives,” the young woman said.

The award that was launched was dedicated to the top performer in Business Studies. However, Healis said she intends to advance her award to several other areas of study, and include more than just a plaque as the award.

She did, however, explain that the current award comes with mentorship. The recipient of this year’s award will be given academic assistance.

“Since I graduated with my degree in economics, the business field is where I’m most able to contribute mentorship to. So for right now, that’s where the focus is. As the years advance, the awards will advance. I’m currently fleshing out ideas to know what else to add to it in the coming years. But I want to diversify into unique things like a business studies library or so. And I will commit to keeping the recipients in check, keep supporting and helping them in the best of my best ability. I’m starting small, with hopes of having that ripple effect,” Healis said.

The award will be for students of Bartica but Healis has hopes of extending it to different parts of the region, and later, different regions in Guyana.