NINE outstanding students from schools across Guyana have emerged victorious in the inaugural essay competition organised by the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, with exclusive sponsorship from One Communications. Among the prizes was a prestigious US$10,000 scholarship.

The awards were presented on Tuesday following the grand opening ceremony of the 2025 edition of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo.

In Category One (Forms One and Two), the top honours went to Muzamil Mohamed of The Bishops’ High School, who claimed first place, followed by Xavi Bishop of Marian Academy in second place, and Roopechand Doonwah from Christ Church Secondary School in third place.

For Category Two (Forms Three and Four), Michael Jardine of West Demerara Secondary School secured first place, with Anaiya Benjamin from Queen’s College taking second place, and Lennicea Waldron from Brickdam Secondary School finishing in third place.

In Category Three (Forms Five and Six), Madelene Suharsono of St. Rose’s High School emerged as the first-place winner, Shekinah Yorrick of The Bishops’ High School earned second place, and Angelia Persaud from Queen’s College rounded out the top three in third place.

The first-place winners received US$1,000, second-place winners were awarded US$500 and an iPad, while third-place winners took home US$250 and a cellular phone. Additionally, Madelene Suharsono was honoured with the US$10,000 scholarship.

Suharsono’s winning essay explored the impact of oil discovery on Guyana’s economy, highlighting its long-term benefits and challenges. She shared that initially, she doubted her ability to tackle the topic, but dedicated herself to writing a compelling and well-researched piece.

“I’m just so overjoyed to know that I won. And receiving the scholarship will go a long way in helping me pursue my law studies overseas. This competition has set the foundation for my academic journey, and now I am considering studying international law or environmental law,” Suharsono said.
Category One winner, Muzamil Mohamed wrote about why Guyana is an ideal tourism destination, focusing on the country’s wildlife, cultural diversity, and warm hospitality. “I was very excited to learn I won this competition,” he said.

Michael Jardine, winner of Category Two, focused his essay on the key investments needed to safeguard Guyana’s economic future against climate change. “I chose this topic because climate change is happening now, and is important to us all,” he stated, expressing pride in contributing to the national dialogue on sustainability.

The competition was designed to inspire young Guyanese to explore the dynamic energy sector and its role in the country’s future. The initiative, endorsed by the Ministry of Education, attracted an impressive 166 entries from 49 schools nationwide, reflecting the enthusiasm of Guyanese youth in shaping national discourse.

Anthony Whyte, Chairman of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response: “Since our conference’s inception in 2022, we have prioritised including youth in shaping our agenda. The 2025 conference expanded these efforts with an essay competition,” he said.

He added, “I was thrilled to see over 160 submissions from secondary school students, each offering insightful recommendations on leveraging our natural resources for sustainable communities. I thank every student for their courage in sharing their perspectives and brilliant ideas.”

Kiana Wilburg, CEO of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo reaffirmed the event’s commitment to youth empowerment: “This essay competition reflects our dedication to giving young voices a platform. Congratulations to all our winners and participants. Keep writing, shining, and making your mark in Guyana’s energy landscape.”

One Communications’ RoleOne Communications, the exclusive private sector partner for this initiative, demonstrated its commitment to supporting Guyanese youth.
Ian Lewis, it’s Marketing Director, stated, “We are honoured to support initiatives that empower and educate the next generation while encouraging participation in the energy sector.”

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COMPETITION
As Guyana’s energy landscape continues to evolve, competitions like this play a crucial role in raising awareness, inspiring youth participation, and fostering contributions to national development.

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is an annual event that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore energy developments and opportunities. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and charting a sustainable future in the energy sector.