Gabriella Arjun of  Queen’s  College is  this year’s  ‘Top National  Youth  Environmental  Speaker’  after winning  Recover  Guyana’s second edition SHOUT  Competition. 

The  four-phased  competition,  open  to  Secondary  Schools  across Guyana  aimed  at  getting  youths  more  involved  in  environmental  protection  and preservation,  concluded  on  Wednesday,  June  05,  2024,  at  the  Ramada  Georgetown Princess Hotel.

The first phase of  the  competition  involved  the  submission  of  one-minute  videos  from Grades  nine  and  ten  students  from  Secondary  Schools  across  Guyana  detailing  the sustainable  changes  they  would  make  to  their  school’s  environment  if  given  one  million dollars.

A total of seventy-eight (78)  submissions  were  received  from  which  thirty  (30) students were shortlisted after a rigorous scoring process.

Phase Two of the  competition  –delivering  a  prepared  environmental  speech,  and  Phase Three  –  a  challenging  yet  engaging  impromptu  speech  competition,  were  completed  on Wednesday  morning.

The students delivered  inspirational  and  impactful  speeches  on topics  including  pollution,  deforestation,  rising  sea  levels  and  other  effects  of  climate change, renewable energy, and more.

Following Phase Two and Three of the competition, the top three students were selected by a  panellist  of  ten  judges,  to  compete in Phase  Four,  the  decisive round where  they  were asked  to  answer  one  question:  Can  you  describe  a  specific  environmental problem  within  your  school,  explain  what  innovative  solution  you  will propose  and  discuss  the  potential  impact  of  your  solution  –  to  determine  the national winner.

Scoring above the other candidates, Gabriella Arjun of Queen’s College emerged winner of the competition. She received a trophy, a laptop, $100,000 and other prizes, while Queen’s College received free GTT  fibre  internet  for  one  year  and  $500,000  to  work  on  the proposed environmental project to address pollution in the school’s environment.

In accepting her award, she thanked those who supported her journey noting that she has learnt a lot along the way.

“Even though we are the cause [of environmental degradation], we can be the solution,” she reminded.

Coming in second place is  Samarah Nazamoodeen  of  President’s  College  who  received  a trophy,  $50,000  and other prizes.

This year’s third-place candidate is  Tremain Clarke of Marian Academy who received a trophy, $25,000, a healthcare voucher, a tablet, and other prizes.

“Engaging  our  youth  in  environmental  protection  is  crucial  for  a  sustainable  future. Through initiatives  like  SHOUT  Competition, we are empowering the  next  generation  to think  creatively  and  act  boldly  to  safeguard  our  planet.  The  passion  and  innovation demonstrated  by  these  young  minds  give  me  immense  hope  for  the  future  of environmental advocacy in Guyana.” Founder and President of Recover, Dr. Dave Lalltoo.

Recover Guyana,  the  environmental  based  Non-Governmental  Organisation  (NGO)  in collaboration  with  the  Ministry  of  Education,  supported  by  ExxonMobil  Guyana, hosted this exciting competition as part of its activities for World Environment Day.

Its main aims were to encourage creative thinking among participants towards becoming environmental advocates for sustainability.

Others in  the  top  ten  of the competition were  Jasmine  Vyphius  of  Friendship  Secondary  School,  Eric Doodnauth  of  St  Stanislaus  College,  Keshika  Mahase  of  Vreed-en-Hoop  Secondary, Rihanna Bishop of West Demerara Secondary, Isa Bremner of Qayyim Academy, Judeyah Slowe  of  New  Central  High  School  and  Charesse  Whyte  of  New  Silvercity  Secondary School.

They all an award  from  ExxonMobil  Guyana,  a  $35,000  dental  voucher  from Flawless Dental GY, a token from Ultra Care, a Hamper from Massy Store Guyana and a green token from Recover Guyana.

The prize for the Most Influential Speech was awarded to Jasmine Vyphius of Friendship Secondary School  while  Gabriella  Arjun  of  Queen’s  College  received  the  prize  for  Most Environmental  Impactful  Speech,  Tremain  Clarke  of  Marian  Academy  the  Best  Speaker Award  and  the  Green  Award  presented  by  Recover  Guyana  to  Zeekel  Narine  of  Anna Regina Secondary School.

The competition  was  first  hosted  in  2023  on  World  Environment  Day  and  the  winner declared  after  extensive  judging was  Vassana  Persaud  of  Queen’s  College.

Vasanna  later went  on  to  launch  a  water  purification  project  within  her  school’s  premises  to  combat plastic bottle waste.   Plans are in the pipeline to have the third edition of the competition hosted in 2025.