Two Vincentians participate in 2016 OECS Essay Competition

Two Vincentian students recently participated in the 2016 OECS Essay Competiton.

Rochelle Kennedy of the St Vincent Girls’ High School and Ozari Gurley of St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College both participated in the 14-16 and 17-19 categories respectively and wrote on the topic ‘Should there be term limits for Head of Governments in the OECS?’{{more}}

Sarai Hutchinson of the Cayon High School, Anguilla took home first place in the 14-16 category, while Lyndon Caesar from the Charles E Mills Secondary School in St Kitts and Nevis and Ariana Joseph from Christ the King High School in Antigua and Barbuda, were the second and third place winners.

In her essay Hutchinson stated that political leaders within the OECS do not need to be in power indefinitely in order to accomplish their countries’ goals. She believes that term limits should be set to allow for the renewal of ideas which would enhance the state.

The 17-19 category was won by Chrisel Telemaque of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, Anguilla, with Arianna Woodley of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School in Anguilla capturing second place, while Allen Paul Mullings of the Montserrat Secondary School placed third.

In her winning essay, Telemaque asserts that term limits reduce the risk of abuse of power and force leaders to focus more intently on the public’s interest. She also stated that many countries across the world utilize term limits, which may be a reason for their economic and social success.

The first place winners in each of the categories were awarded a $2,500 cash prize and a grant of $1,500 will be awarded to their respective schools. The students who placed second each received $1,500 and their schools will be presented with a grant of $1,000; while the third place winners will each receive $1,000 and their schools, a grant of $500.

Best in Country Winners for the 14-16 category were: Natalia Antoine, Commonwealth of Dominica – Pierre Charles Secondary School; Tara McQueen – MacDonald College; Jessica Tolan, Montserrat – Montserrat Secondary School; Karee Bowe, Saint Lucia – St Mary’s College; and Rochelle Kennedy, St Vincent and the Grenadines – St Vincent Girls’ High School.

Best in country in the 17-19 category were: Chelsea Lawrence, Commonwealth of Dominica – North East Comprehensive School; Kendra DeCotea, Grenada – SDA Comprehensive School; and Ozari Gurley, St Vincent and the Grenadines – St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.