BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WASHINGTON Archibald High School (WAHS) has placed for the third time in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) essay competition, this time with a composition by Amanda Greene.
The competition, sponsored by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), focuses on building sustainable regional policies in the areas of energy and agriculture, among other topics.
Over 300 submissions were made from students of the nine OECS Member States, and Greene’s essay was selected in the final three. The fifth-form student secured third place for her school, as her essay was profound in its discussion of current regional challenges while also suggesting practical ideas for a sustainable future.
For her outstanding work, Greene walked away with EC $2 000 following a brief prize-giving ceremony yesterday (Oct. 9) at her school. EC $1 500 was also awarded to the school for its commendable representation in the overall competition.
ECCB Deputy Director of Corporate Communications Sybil Welsh said that the essay competition encouraged students to research issues relevant to the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. She said it also gave the students the opportunity to express themselves and use their insight in matters that bear serious implications for the region.
Minutes before handing over the cheque of EC $2 000, Welsh said, “Continue to do well and be a model for other students to look up to. I want to challenge you to think about doing the essays. Washington Archibald won third-place in 2004 and again in 2002. Come next year, endeavour to win first, second and third!”
This year, Shelisa Glasford and Shaquille Lewis of the Charlestown Secondary School placed first and second respectively in the competition. They received cheques for EC$5 000 and EC$2 500, respectively, in a similar presentation last Wednesday (Sept. 30).
The ECCB official congratulated the WAHS, along with Greene’s family and friends for supporting her. At the same time, she encouraged the students present to also aim high in order to achieve great things.
“Behind every student that excels, you’re going to have a teacher in their corner, a principal to set the standard for excellence and a proud parent or guardian that looks out to make sure that you do your homework. So, it is not a one-person endeavour, but it is a community endeavour,” she noted.
Welsh used the opportunity to speak on the significance of the essay competition, especially during the month of October, which is celebrated throughout the region as Financial Information Month. She spoke to the students on the importance of the month’s theme, ‘Save and invest today...enjoy tomorrow’.
The ECCB has been sponsoring this essay competition since 1991 and next year’s competition is expected to be based on themes such as the importance of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in granting the region its independence, the development of culture and the arts to create a distinctive tourism product and the practicality of Caribbean integration.
Full topics, guidelines and deadlines for next year’s essay competition are expected to be released soon.
