Michael Bhopaul, a student of Queen’s College, Guyana has created history, becoming the first student to achieve 25 Grade I’s in a single sitting at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC®). As a result of his achievement, Michael won four of the regional top awards: the CSEC® Overall, Business Studies, Natural Science, and Technical Vocational. He achieved Grade I in Additional Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, English A and English B, French, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Human and Social Biology, Food and Nutrition, Family and Resources Management, Technical Drawing and Industrial Technology-Building.

Another student from Queen’s College, Rawletta Barrow won the Humanities Award with 20 CSEC® Grade I. Rawletta achieved Grade I in the following subjects: Additional Mathematics, Caribbean History, Economics, English A, English B, French, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Office Administration, Principles of Business, Religious Education, Social Studies, Spanish, Theatre Arts, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Human and Social Biology, Food, Nutrition and Health, and Family and Resource Management.

The award for Best 3-Dimensional Visual Art pieces goes to Nerissa Niles of Grantley Adams Memorial School, Barbados. Nerissa’s piece is entitled “The Mask” from the Fibre and Decorative Arts expressive form. Commenting on Nerissa’s work, the Chief Examiner states, “The bold ancestral mask reminiscent of the Bushongo is an excellent creation using natural materials. In this creation, the candidate has demonstrated a superior level of craftsmanship in the manipulation of materials and in selection and placement exploiting colour and surface qualities in executing the design.

The Best 2-Dimensional Visual Art piece award goes to Kerron John of San Juan South Secondary, Trinidad and Tobago. Kerron’s piece is entitled “Leaves, roots and branches” from the Painting and Mixed Media expressive form.

“The candidate’s expressive use form and colour with subtle references to the genres of surrealism and abstract expressionism are commendable. The manipulation of acrylic paint, pastels, and rolled paper are all effectively combined on paper to depict a tree that metamorphoses into human form,” the Chief Examiner explains.

Aasim Baksh of St Stanislaus College, Guyana is the winner of the Best Short Story prize. Aasim’s story is entitled “The Tremor.”