Anguilla and Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis Capture Top Positions in 2016 OECS Essay Competition
Sarai Hutchinson of the Cayon High School, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis and Chrisel Telemaque of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive in Anguilla are the first place winners in the respective categories of the 2015/2016 OECS Essay Competition, hosted and sponsored by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
Sarai emerged winner of the age 14 – 16 category with her essay on the topic: “Should there be term limits for Heads of Governments in the OECS? Discuss”. Sarai is of the view 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 in place to allow for the renewal of ideas which would enhance the state.
Chrisel won the age 17 – 19 category with her discussion on the same topic. She asserts that term limits reduce the risk of abuse of power and forces leaders to focus more intently on the public’s interest. Chrisel also states that many countries across the world utilises term limits which may be a reason for their economic and social success.
The OECS Essay Competition, which is part of the ECCB’s community outreach programme, is aimed at encouraging critical thinking and raising the awareness of secondary school and college students in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) on issues of economic and social development.
One hundred and fifty-four (154) entries were received from 24 schools. The essays were assessed for content, soundness of points, logical development, knowledge of the subject, command of language and presentation.
Lyndon Caesar of the Charles E Mills Secondary School in Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis and Ariana Joseph of the Christ the King High School in Antigua and were the second and third place winners respectively in the age 14-16 category. In the age 17–19 category,
Arianna Woodley of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School in Anguilla seized second place while Allen Paul Mullings of the Montserrat Secondary School placed third.
The first place winners in each of the categories will each be awarded a $2,500 cash prize and a grant of $1,500 will be awarded to their respective schools. The students who placed second will each receive $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.
Certificates of recognition will also be awarded to students in each category for the essays which did not place among the top three but were adjudged the best in the respective countries.
