𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐑𝐂 𝐀𝐑𝐓 & 𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐒

On Wednesday 20th March 2024, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) held its Mashramani Art & Essay competition Prize Giving Ceremony.

The competition was officially launched on February 8th, 2024, and held under the National Mashramani theme 2023, “Celebrating our peoples and our prosperity.” The competition was open to children across Guyana to showcase their creative talents and thoughtful ideas in two categories: Art/Poster for 8 to 13-year-olds and Essay Writing for 13 to 16-year-olds.

The aim of this competition was to highlight the contributions, diversity, and unity among the peoples of Guyana, through art and literature. Activities such as this provide a platform for our youth to express themselves and promote the value and beauty of our multi-ethnic society.

The art entries were judged on creativity, originality, artistic quality, and their ability to effectively convey messages of unity and harmony.

The essay entries were judged on the understanding and development of the theme, originality, and creative writing.

The competition garnered positive feedback, with a total of 51 entries received across both categories. The respective winners of the competition were:

Essay Category:

● 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞- Anmarie Mahadeo (14), from Bygeval Secondary secured the top.

● 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞- Aurelia Parag (15) of Queen’s College and

● 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞- Danyelli James (16) of Dora Secondary

Art Category:

● 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞- Saira Seeram (9), a student from Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary,

● 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞- Danshan Persaud (13) and

● 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞- Melissa Armstrong (13), both from St. Winefride’s Secondary.

To ensure the proper and fair marking of the essays and artworks submissions, the ERC solicited the participation of two professionals within the respective fields.

Mr. Al Creighton, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities at the University of Guyana, with his distinguished background in education, judged the essays. Ms. Samira Insanally, a professional artist with over a decade of experience, assessed the artwork entries.

The award ceremony, held at Cara Lodge, Georgetown, saw the prizewinners proudly receiving their prizes and certificates from the ERC.

Chairman of the ERC, Mr. Shaikh Moeenul Hack during his brief remarks at the ceremony said “Today, we gather not only to celebrate the talent and creativity of our young participants but also to acknowledge the importance of promoting harmony and understanding in our diverse society.”

The prizes were handed over by Commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission, in the presence of parents, teachers, the judges and staff of the Commission.

The ERC took the opportunity to urge all young people to explore their talents and use them towards fruitful initiatives, such as the competition.