Students Shine at GEC’s Inaugural Essay Competition
February 18, 2025- Nine talented students from various schools across Guyana 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 after 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 honors went to Muzamil Mohamed of Bishops’ High School, who claimed first place, followed by Xavi Bishop from 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 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, the second-place winners were awarded US$500 and an iPad, and the third-place winners took home US$250 and a cellular phone.
Additionally, Madelene Suharsono of St. Rose’s High School was honored with the US$10,000 scholarship.
Madelene Suharsono wrote about how the discovery of oil reserves has transformed Guyana’s economy, and the potential long-term benefits and challenges it brings. Suharsono, a sixth-form law student, said she was eager to delve into the essay but doubted her ability to write this essay. Nevertheless, the student decided to dedicate much effort towards writing an impactful, well-researched piece.
“I’m just so overjoyed to know that I won. And receiving the scholarship will go a far way in helping me to pursue my law studies overseas. Actually, this essay competition really set the foundation for the rest of my academic journey because now I believe I want to student international law or environmental law,” Suharsono said.
Muzamil Mohamed, the winner of Category One, wrote about what makes Guyana the ideal tourism destination. The first-form student focused on Guyana’s wildlife, cultural diversity, and warm hospitality in his winning entry.
“I was very excited to learn I won this competition,” he said.
Category Two winner, Michael Jardine focused his winning entry on the key investments needed to protect people and safeguard Guyana’s economic future in face of the worsening impacts of climate change.
Jardine said, “I chose this topic because climate change is happening now and is important to us all.”
The fourth-form student also noted that he was quite happy to contribute to the conversation
on Guyana’s development, and was elated to win in his category.
The essay competition was designed to inspire young Guyanese to delve into the dynamic
energy sector and its significance for Guyana’s future. Through their essays, the students also
expressed their visions for the country’s sustainable development. The initiative was
endorsed by the Ministry of Education.
An impressive 166 entries from 49 schools nationwide showcased the eagerness of Guyanese
youth to engage in discussions about the nation’s future.
Anthony Whyte, Chairman of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo,
remarked, “Since our conference’s inception in 2022, we have prioritized including our youth
in shaping our agenda. Our youth forums have been a powerful platform for knowledge
exchange with industry leaders. For the 2025 conference, we expanded these efforts with an
essay competition.”
“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.
Continue nurturing your love of writing and critical thinking as we create spaces for your
voices to be heard and celebrated.”
Kiana Wilburg, CEO of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, added,
“This essay competition reflects our deep commitment to providing youths with a platform to share their ideas with policy leaders and the nation. Congratulations to all our winners and
participants. The Guyana Energy Conference family thanks you for your efforts. Keep
writing, shining, and making your mark in Guyana’s energy landscape.”
One Communications, the exclusive private sector partner for this initiative, demonstrated its
dedication to supporting Guyanese youth and amplifying their voices.
Ian Lewis, Marketing Director at One Communications, stated, “We are honoured to support
initiatives that empower and educate the next generation of leaders while encouraging
information sharing and participation in the energy sector. Congratulations to the winners and
all participants. We also commend the Guyana Energy Conference team for creating this
opportunity for the students.”
As Guyana’s energy landscape continues to evolve, competitions like this play a crucial role
in raising awareness, motivating youth participation, and encouraging contributions to the
national dialogue.
About the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo
The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is an annual event uniting industry
leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore developments and opportunities in energy
and supply chains. It aims to foster forward-looking discussions, bridging gaps and
connecting ideas across borders.
The event includes workshops, panel discussions, and networking events, enabling direct
engagement with peers and experts. Positioned as a regional economic hub, Guyana offers a
timely platform for influencing the regional energy landscape positively. This conference is
crucial for charting a sustainable, prosperous future in the energy sector.
