BPTT empowers students to protect the environment

A sense of empowerment was conveyed in the words of Rio Claro West Secondary student, Ammy Boodhu, winner of the 16-18 age-group Art/Poster category: “This is the fifth year I’ve taken part and it’s the second year in a row that I won the art competition in my age division.

I am a better student because of my participation and in talking to other students from across the education districts.

We share a feeling of accomplishment, purpose and responsibility.

My dream is to be a pilot and I plan to travel all over the world and educate people about taking care of the environment.

I see it as my responsibility to make this world a better place.” Students, teachers, principals, and other attendees sang the praises of participating students who demonstrated their knowledge of the environment in the Debate, Art/Poster and Essay divisions of the competition, which is endorsed by the Ministry of Education.

The initiative has been sponsored by energy company, BP Trinidad and Tobago, for the past 11 years.

Ronda Francis, Corporate Responsibility Manager, BPTT, was impressed with the quality of the student submissions, “Environmental awareness and education are two of BPTT’s key focus areas and this competition combines them admirably.

These students have developed and applied key skills such as reading, writing, critical thinking, research, analysis and creativity and the excellence of their work is testament to the importance of this competition.

Their work shows fulfillment of their potential and raises the level of environmental awareness around them.

Every year we are serving to create a cadre of all-rounded and environmentally conscious citizens, which bodes well for our nation’s future.” This year more than 40 schools took part in the various divisions, held under the theme of “Erosion and its Impacts on Coastal Communities”.