St. Rose’s CAPE student wins US$10,000 scholarship at Energy Conference Essay Competition

Madelene Suharsono, a 17-year-old Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at St. Rose’s High School has secured a US$10,000 scholarship after she won her category in the Guyana Energy Conference’s first essay competition.

Suharsono along with several other students was awarded at the 2025 edition of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo taking place at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

The aspiring lawyer told the News Room that she almost did not enter the competition.

“At first I was not interested in this competition because I thought I would have gotten last place,” Suharsono explained.

But now, with more knowledge of the oil and gas industry, Suharsono plans to pursue environmental law.

“The reason that I entered the competition is because I wanted to know more about the oil industry, the economic benefits along with long impact it has on Guyana’s economy along with its consequences,” the young woman explained.

Like all other first-place winners for all categories, Suharsono also received US$1000 along with a cellular phone on Tuesday. The second-place winners for all categories received US$500 and an iPad while US$250 and a cellular phone was awarded to third-place winners.

“So when I wrote about the potential long-term benefits I wrote about the job creation, improved infrastructure like roads, schools, buildings [and] hospitals,” Suharsono said.

The competition was launched last year in October for secondary school students and attracted over 160 entries, all of which were marked by an 11-member team of seasoned teachers and national markers from across the country.

The competition allowed for participation in three categories on various topics on the oil and gas sector.

In the Category 1 Level (Forms 1 to 2), 68 students submitted essays.

The winners for this category are as follows: 1st Place: Muzamil Mohamed, the Bishops’ High School; 2nd Place: Xavi Bishop. Marian Academy; and 3rd Place: Roopechand Sanchin Doonwah, Christ Church Secondary.

In Category 2, 45 students from Forms 3 and 4 made entries. The winners of this category are as follows 1st Place: Michael Jardine, West Demerara Secondary School; 2nd Place: Anaiya Benjamin, Queen’s College; and 3rd Place: Lennicia Waldron, Brickdam Secondary School.

In Category 3, 54 students from the Form 5 and CAPE levels made submissions.

The winners of this Category are as follows: 1st Place: Madelene Suharsono, St. Rose’s High School (CAPE): 2nd Place: Shekinah Yorrick, Bishops’ High School: 3rd Place: Angelia Persaud, Queen’s College.

The Ministry of Education was a critical partner in streamlining the participation of the schools from varying parts of the country, while the exclusive private sector partner for the essay competition was One Communications.

The telecommunications giant sponsored the cash and technological prizes for each category while the Chairman of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Anthony Whyte generously sponsored the US$10,000 scholarship to the Category 3 winner.