IN PHOTO | (L-R) First runner-up of SHOUT 2.0 Samarah Nazamoodeen of President’s College, winner Gabriella Arjun of Queen’s College, second runner-up Tremain Clarke of Marian Academy
"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.
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. The competition is supported by ExxonMobil Guyana. The company’s Public & Government Affairs Manager Matt Scharf said; “the SHOUT competition is an exciting initiative, which is inspiring young people to step up and make a difference in protecting the environment and building stronger communities. ExxonMobil Guyana is proud to be a part of this competition and to support the amazing students who took part in this year's contest.”
Others in the top ten 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.
Recover Guyana thanks its sponsors and partners for the competition. Those companies were: Ultra Care Medical Centre Inc., Guyoil, Flawless Dental GY, Camex Restaurants Inc., the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, Professional Print & Design, Yudifat Logistics Inc., Anthony Indar Productions, Guyana Premier Consultancy, Elevate, Pixel Perfect Productions, GTT, Muneshwers Limited, Prime Import of Guyana, Massy Stores Guyana, Trophy Stall, Ezy Real Estate, Mohan’s Physio First, AN Pins and Gifts and the Watch Box Guyana.
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.
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