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Students win laptops, tablets in COVID-19 back-to-school essay competition

- Organiser Hon Sharie B. de Castro called competition an insightful one
After over 60 entries, 6 students from across three educational levels in the Virgin Islands (VI) have walked away winners in the 2020 Back to School Essay Competition, an initiative of Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), the Junior Minister for Tourism. Photo: Provided
The competition was open to all VI students, and the winners announced Monday, October 19, 2020, by Hon deCastro after students from across the territory were challenged to write on topics all related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the territory. Photo: Provided
The competition was open to all VI students, and the winners announced Monday, October 19, 2020, by Hon deCastro after students from across the territory were challenged to write on topics all related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the territory. Photo: Provided
Hon Sharie B. de Castro said it was humbling and insightful to envision the impact of the pandemic from the perspective of the students. Photo: Provided
Hon Sharie B. de Castro said it was humbling and insightful to envision the impact of the pandemic from the perspective of the students. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Out of 60 entries, 6 students from across three educational levels in the Virgin Islands (VI) walked away as winners in the 2020 Back to School Essay Competition, an initiative of Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), the Junior Minister for Tourism.

The competition was open to all VI students, and the winners announced Monday, October 19, 2020, by Hon de Castro.

Students from across the territory were challenged to write on topics all related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the VI.

Topics COVID-19 related

For primary schools, the topics were ‘My COVID-19 Experience’ and ‘My Role In Keeping The BVI COVID Free- The Impact of the Pandemic on my Family’. Secondary and tertiary students had to write about ‘BVI Tourism in a Global Pandemic’ and ‘The BVI Post-Pandemic” respectively.

According to Hon de Castro, “It was incredibly inspiring to read all the essays submitted for the contest. Students showed their creativity and articulated their views using varied writing styles that vividly captured their experience and ideas.”

She said it was humbling and insightful to envision the impact of the pandemic from the perspective of the students.

The top essay in the Primary Grades 1-3 category was written by Danya Lettsome, a third-grader at the Cedar International School. She will receive an iPad Mini 64GB.

And the top essays in the Primary Grades 4-6 category were written by Aaliyah Freeman, a sixth-grader at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School and Tykai Fahie, a fifth-grader at the Joyce Samuel Primary School. They will each receive the iPad 7th Generation 128 GB.

MacBooks and Lenovo computers for older students

The top essay in the Secondary Grades 7-9 category was written by Anjanique Cheltenham, a ninth-grader at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS). Cheltenham won herself a Lenovo IdeaPad.

For Secondary Grades 10-12 category, the top essay was written by Ryan Ramlall, an eleventh grader at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre- Secondary Division. Ramlall will receive a Lenovo Think Pad.

The top essay in the Tertiary category was written by Olivia Freeman of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. She will receive a Macbook Air 256 GB.

6 Responses to “Students win laptops, tablets in COVID-19 back-to-school essay competition”

  • facts (21/10/2020, 00:01) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well done Hon De castro
  • well done (21/10/2020, 07:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats to all the students
  • Congratulations (21/10/2020, 08:05) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Congratulations to all those who won! Well done and congratulations.

    In other news how dear the employees of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board Employee’s using a platform to disrespect our national hero’s while defending their nasty behavior. The Host of C** D**P always putting people on negative blast and probably endangering them but the shoe on the other foot she talking about she scared about what Queen Lake might do?! Sin D GTFOOH. Whatever happened to you and your life you’re the one who brought it on yourself. As for the IT cause that what she is a nasty selfish sick It, your attitude and behavior as always been a bullying attitude. Mc Kelly’s only doing you’ll stuff because they’re scared of for themselves. You’ll just intimidating people. Ain’t everyone sees it your way or want to see it you’ll way and 90% of the time you’ll way is not a positive way. I can’t believe the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board actually have two crazy bats working for them. Sin D show is really for low level can’t think for themselves people. If you’ll ain’t know the show is pre-set - Sin D went after Queen Lake but she used the road of having the crazy bat do it instead. Cindy is not the future of the BVI and I’m calling on the British Virgin Islands TB to let both go by December 1st or else!
  • facts (21/10/2020, 10:39) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good going to the students and Hon D

    We got you next election
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