CPCE 2020 Valedictorian encourages youth to pursue their dreams

Twenty-two years old Kelsea Peters of Bushlot Region Two was deemed Guyana’s Best Overall Graduating student in her pursuit of an Associate Degree in Early Childhood for 2020. Peters commenced her study journey at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Anna Regina branch in 2018 and concluded in 2020.

Peters did not only emerge as the top for the entire country, she also copped four prizes which included the Prime Minister’s Prize, The AEA’s Prize, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Prize and the Cicely Nedd’s Memorial Prize for the best overall graduating student on the Two-Year Associate Degree in Education Pre-Service Early Childhood Programme completed at Anna Regina.

Relating her journey to the Pepperpot Magazine, Peters said that she chose to challenge herself and without any doubt has achieved her target.

“A life absent of challenges, obstacles, and failures may sound ideal. I remember at the beginning of my college journey, I hoped it would be a breeze with no failures and little to no obstacles, and boy I was wrong” Peters related.

The young teacher related that adversities are not only inevitable but also necessary when someone wants to aspire to be their best.

“In the thick of the challenges I was faced with, I couldn’t accept that fact, but looking back on what I went through and what I was able to accomplish, it made my achievements that much more momentous,” Peters commented.

Taking the time to share some of the challenges she endured, Peters said that she was discouraged and frustrated when she began her studies stating that at first she was informed that she would be attending college in the City of Georgetown at Turkeyen Campus and after acquiring the much-needed items to reside in the dormitory she was told that the batch of students from Region Two would remain there. She said instead she had to study at the newly commissioned pre-service centre in the Pomeroon-Supenaam.

“Perks of studying within your region,” she said.

She added that although it was a challenge to move things back to her region the experience was of great benefit for her and she was able to attend college from the comfort of her home which she attested undoubtedly contributed to her success.

“Looking back at it now, I am grateful I didn’t allow this obstacle to hinder me from doing my best however it’s just the beginning. Once I started to attend college, almost immediately it was evident that we didn’t have the lectures that needed to deliver the content to us,” Peters further explained.

She said that that challenge persisted for quite a while before it resolved. For many days she said the batch of students in Region Two had to remain optimistic and go to classes with hope. She said that the panic rose from being behind the workload that the class was expected to complete made it more difficult in the students’ minds and the thoughts of exams drawing near compounded her concerns.

Another challenge Peters highlighted was the pandemic when CPCE was closed and adaptation to the new environment and changes had to be done.

“For months I sat at home, awaiting instructions for the way forward. This long period at home demotivated me to a point where I had no hope of ever completing college and being able to graduate in the year 2020. You can imagine the immense joy I felt when I was informed that measures were put in place for us to carry out our teaching practice which would also mean the completion of college,” Peters outlined.

Peters said she was very overwhelmed having received the news that she had emerged as Guyana’s top CPCE student. She, therefore, believes that the challenges she faced will mould her into an extraordinary teacher. She optimistically said that the challenges were overcome and she used that as a motivation to push through.

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is optional. And though many times I was discouraged and at my wit’s end, I refused to be defeated and instead I chose to push through. I chose to finish strong and most importantly I chose to challenge,” she said.

Peters is therefore urging her fellow young people to focus on a career that will groom their future and even though there are challenges, they will not last for long and they will shine in the end.