Sarah Hakh of Abram’s Zuil Secondary School, Guyana won the award for Most Outstanding Candidate Overall. Sarah wrote 16 subjects and achieved Grade I in all 16 subjects with all A’s on the Profile grades. The 16 subjects are: Agricultural Science (Single Award), Biology, Economics, English A, Food and Nutrition, Home Economics Management, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport and Human and Social Biology.

Two students from Bishops’ High School, Guyana were among the winners this year: Tamasha Maraj and Deowaitte Narine. Tamasha received the award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Business Education with 13 subjects – Economics, English A, English B, Mathematics, Office Administration, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Electronic Document Preparation and Management at Grade I; and Additional Mathematics, Caribbean History, Information Technology and Human and Social Biology at Grade II.

The award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in the Sciences went to Deowattie Narine. She achieved Grade I in 13 subjects – Additional Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, English A, English B, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, Human and Social Biology, and Electrical and Electronic Technology.

Karran Singh, a student of St Rose’s High School in Guyana was the Most Outstanding Candidate in Technical Vocational Education. Karran achieved Grade I in 12 subjects – Agricultural Science (Double Award), Biology, Building Technology (Construction), Chemistry, English A, Food and Nutrition, Home Economics Management, Mathematics, Building Technology (Woods), Chemistry, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Human and Social Biology, and Social Studies; Grade II in Technical Drawing and Grade III in English B.

The awards for the Most Outstanding Candidates in Visual Arts awards went to students from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Dominique Harris of Queen’s College in Barbados was awarded the prize for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Visual Arts 2-Dimensional work. Dominique produced a piece entitled “Architectural” from the Textile Design and Manipulation Expressive Form.

The Chief Examiner noted; “The candidate’s response was outstanding and demonstrated superior understanding in the choice of material and techniques relative to the task. There was mastery demonstrated in the technique and there were minimal errors.

The design was impactful, exciting and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. The all-over design forced the viewer’s eyes to move all around the fabric and not focus in any particular area.

Great attention was paid to the elements and principles of design.

The colours used were most complementary to the design, and were most suitable for drapery in a work environment.

There was an extremely high level of personal interpretation of the theme. The development of the concept was excellent.”

The award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Visual Arts 3-Dimensional was presented to Camille Parris of St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. Camille’s creation was taken from the Sculpture and Ceramics Expressive Form. She produced a mug for drinking coconut water with the handle in the form of a lizard.

In commenting on the selection of Camille’s piece as the winner, the Chief Examiner stated; “This response was outstanding. The candidate demonstrated superior knowledge and understanding in the choice of materials and techniques relative to the task and theme. There was a high level of skill in the manipulation of the media, which in this case was clay. There was outstanding experimentation and innovation seen in the use of materials and techniques.

The jug was extremely aesthetically pleasing and functional. The design and decoration of the jug demonstrated an excellent understanding of the elements and principles of design. The elements of shape, colour, and particularly texture were fully utilized. The principles of unity, harmony, rhythm and structure were clearly understood to create this aesthetically pleasing jug.

The jug was extremely functional and the concept was fully explored in the design which incorporated coconut trees, trunks and husk along with an iguana perched on the handle. The design was highly original.”

Matthew Blake of the St Jago High School in Jamaica receives the award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in the Humanities. Matthew achieved Grade I in 10 subjects, with all A Profiles except one B Profile in Geography. Matthew achieved Grade I in Caribbean History, Chemistry, English A, English B, French, Geography, Information Technology, Mathematics, Social Studies and Spanish.