The Form Three student of Picton Street, Diamond Village, San Fernando left her home to conduct research and other school related activities at the San Fernando Carnegie Library.

She however never returned home.

A missing persons report was subsequently made to police by her parents Neil Lezama and Lynda Hinds. Calls to her cell phone went unanswered for the past four days.

Reports are that the 16-year-old who is one half of a twin was found at a house in Siparia on Tuesday morning.

Lezama’s mother said her prayers have been answered as her daughter is safe and accounted for.

“I am just happy she is home and was not hurt. She is safe and okay, but she is not talking and saying much right now,” the relieved woman said.

Hinds, a mother of five said that the case was still open and police officers are continuing their investigations.

Lezama is a student of the San Fernando East Secondary School.

The tests were initiated by the Ministry of Planning and Development after the two episodes of mass fish mortality in early February and late July to early August 2016 in the Gulf of Paria. In a release, the Ministry said tests were carried out for the presence of heavy metals, carcinogens, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and concentrations of the dispersant component DOSS (used to determine the presence of oil dispersant COREXIT 95).

Two US-based laboratories were contracted through the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to conduct the testing – the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), which is a branch of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US Department of Commerce and Eurofins Frontier Global Sciences.

On September 30, fish and shrimp samples were taken from seven landing sites – Orange Valley, Claxton Bay, King’s Wharf, Carenage, Cedros, La Brea and Icacos and shipped to the relevant labs.

The final results were received on January 10, 2017. The fish species sampled were red fish, carite, cro cro, salmon, catfish along with white/ cork shrimp.

In terms of heavy metals, the samples were tested for Methyl Mercury; Mercury; Chromium; Nickel; Copper; Zinc; Inorganic Arsenic; Total Arsenic; Cadmium; Lead; Vanadium. The tests deemed the fish and shrimp sampled safe for human consumption.

In terms of the tests conducted for the presence of carcinogens, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and concentrations of the dispersant component DOSS, the results indicated that the concentrations of carcinogens in the fish and shrimp samples were below the limits of quantification or when detected, were found at low levels and concentrations of DOSS were lower than the level of concern (LOC) established by the US Food and Drug Administration for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response in the Gulf of Mexico.

Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson- Regis has said that the ministry, the Ministry of Energy and the EMA will be intensifying collaborative efforts with Petrotrin to determine the root cause of oil spill events and to develop a comprehensive plan for monitoring, evaluation and remediation

In a media release, Rambachan also voiced support for a statement by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that Trinidad and Tobago was a violent society with too many illegal guns entering the country.

“It might very well be true since it appears that people are settling their problems through violence rather than negotiations. The recognition of the problem however is not enough,” he stated, adding, “it has now become necessary to focus on why the society especially young people are so angry and begin to heal their minds of such anger by the introduction of new programmes in the school syllabus.” “A school curriculum while it is generally intended to provide an education for a job and making a valuable contribution to society, must also be relevant to the situational context in which the society currently finds itself and also provide skills in personal and community problem resolution, negotiation and interpersonal relations,” he stated.

“Not to start at this fundamental level of the child and teenager will be to export into the future a range of people emotions which will eventually explode into violence,” Rambachan stated as he urged Education Minister Anthony Garcia to consider his suggestion and as well as other programmes which would expose children to human values.

This first show took place a week after the TTEA hosted a phenomenal Show Jumping Clinic with specially invited instructor Jorge Verswyvel out of Bogota, Colombia, as part of its continuing education efforts for its coaches and riders. The training course was held over five days both at Saddle Valley Stables and San Antonio Stables in Santa Cruz. The amazing results from Verswyvel’s training clinic was certainly on display at the Show Jumping League, as the beginner riders took to the arena for the first time on their own and the more seasoned riders totally captivating the audience with their performance. The TTEA praised the efforts of its coaches including Anja Taylor, Sara McCartney, Sandhya Moll, and Natalie Rapier.

They also hailed the Course Designers Natalie Rapier and Anja Taylor as well as Ground Jury Nikki Chatoor Special thanks were also extended to Event Chairperson, Retired Police Inspector Errol Grant, timers, ground crew and San Antonio Stables.

The results from the Show Jumping League 1 are as follows: Lead Line Stacked Poles: 1st – Scarlett Selby on Starlight 2nd – Melissa Vlieger on Sinnerman Beginner: Children 1st – Charlotte Mack on Majestic 7 2nd – Annabella Hill on Morocco Note: Myrisa Maundy also participated is this event on Starlight Maiden: Children 1st – Isabella Powell on Rockstar 1st – Katie Darlow on Morocco 2nd – Meghan Koury on Rockstar Maiden: Adult 1st – Jessica Morton on Unbridled Dream 2nd – Gabby Marhue on The Sultan 3rd – Gia Borely on Unbridled Dream 4th – Asha Bansee on Sinnerman Novice: 1st – Sandhya Moll on I’m not Rachel 2nd – Natalie Rapier on Viking Thunder.

Lawrence and Edwards would be representing Siparia and Cocorite respectively with the former confident his youth and physical fitness will prove decisive in the bout.

Speaking to Newsday during a training session yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium gym, Lawrence, 29-years-old, continued his verbal attacks against his rival.

“I have been very busy and active in the ring during the last six months, whereas my opponent (Edwards) has been on the bench for quite a while (over a year). Therefore, he (Edwards) currently has ‘ring rust’ and he would first have to deal with dusting off the cobwebs when he enters the ring.

I am fresh and ready because I’ve been training really hard and I am confident, with the training sessions I have been going through over the past several months, that I would get the result from (my) performance,” Lawrence declared.

He added: “There is a lot of confidence in my corner and I would go out there and do everything that is required of me and what I’m told to do.” Lawrence still stands by the vow he made to himself when he declared he will not let a ‘pensioner’ (Edwards is 37-years-ol) defeat him.

Boxing promoter and manager of Lawrence’s corner, Boxu Potts, said a plan has been formulated to ensure his fighter’s success. “We’ve been working on the fight plan for quite some time because we do not expect a walk in the park but Sheldon is ready and raring to go,” Potts declared.

He went on to discuss the hype surrounding Saturday’s clash.

“They would not only be representing themselves but furthermore their constituency and homeland and this generates excitement especially in and around the people,” he explained.

As the countdown continues, Potts said the mind games will continue and has been working.

“Sheldon got into his opponent’s head by calling him a pensioner and he led to the realisation that he is not so young anymore and he is in the process of dealing with that along with coming off the bench after quite some time,” Potts noted.

Potts also elaborated on the tactical dynamics approaching the bout.

“We’ve studied Nigel and my fighter is going to relax and execute. Edwards would be seeing a different Sheldon Lawrence in front of him; something he has not anticipated and that is what is going to confuse him. He (Edwards) has never been hit before by such a heavy puncher and our plan is to stop him very early as we do not expect this fight to go past six rounds once the young, strong, powerful- hitting Lawrence starts landing on him like a heavyweight.” Also generating a lot of interest is another rivalry scheduled on the undercard for Saturday as the Venezuela contingent is set to square off against our local talent in the WBC Amateur and Youth Pro League.

Tickets are priced at $150 gallery and ringside at $100 along with an after-party till 12

It was announced yesterday, that a re-analysis of Jamaican Nesta Carter’s samples from the Beijing Olympics resulted in a positive test for the prohibited substance methylhexaneamine.

Therefore, Jamaica’s gold medal in the men’s 4×100-metre relay at the 2008 Games will be rescinded, as Carter was part of the quartet.

The TT foursome of Richard Thompson, Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Keston Bledman, earned silver behind Jamaica and should be upgraded to gold.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Burns admitted: “It’s a bitter- sweet feeling for me because it’s obviously a great achievement to have a gold medal. But it also came almost a decade later, so it really took away the joy of being on the podium and celebrating with my teammates then and there at the Olympics Games.” Asked if he feels vindicated as a clean athlete, Burns said, “As an athlete all I focus on is putting my best foot forward for my country, and hope that the outcome is favourable.

In this case it resulted in gold and I’m thankful.” The TT team did not get the opportunity to sing their national anthem in Beijing and Burns acknowledged these lost moments cannot be recaptured.

“(I’m) not hurt, but disappointed that my country couldn’t share that memorable moment with the team.” This is the second time the TT athletes have had to endure a situation like this. Thompson, Burns, Callender and Bledman, had their bronze medal upgraded to a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2012 London Olympics.

Tyson Gay, who was part of USA 4x100m team that snatched silver, tested positive for a banned substance.

The other Jamaican athletes that will be affected by Carter’s doping, are Michael Frater, Asafa Powell and legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. Bolt’s legendary status may be affected after he initially completed the “triple, triple, triple” at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Bolt won gold in the men’s 100m, men’s 200m and men’s 4x100m events in the last three Olympics Games, before the news broke yesterday.

Speaking in June 2016 concerning Carter’s alleged doping, Bolt said the prospect of having to return the gold was “heartbreaking”.

He told the Jamaica Gleaner: “For years you’ve worked hard to accumulate gold medals and you work hard to be a champion, but it’s one of those things. I’m more concerned about the athlete and I hope he (Carter) gets through it.” The IOC statement said, “As part of this process, the IOC today announced that two athletes have been disqualified from the Olympic Games Beijing 2008.

The details follow.

Nesta Carter, 31, of Jamaica, competing in the men’s 4x100m relay event (round one and final) in which he and his teammates ranked 1st and for which they were awarded the gold medal, has been disqualified from the Olympic Games Beijing 2008. Re-analysis of Carter’s samples from Beijing 2008 resulted in a positive test for the prohibited substance methylhexaneamine.” Tatiana Lebedeva, 40, of Russia, tested positive for the prohibited substance dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (turinabol). Lebedeva grabbed silver medals in both the women’s triple jump and women’s long jump events.

Despite the national euphoria on social media yesterday, president of the TT Olympic Committee Brian Lewis tried to curtail the excitement, instead urging patience.

“The TT Olympic Committee has not at this time received any official communication from the International Olympic Committee in respect of the TT Beijing 2008 Olympic Games men’s 4x100m relay team.

“It is therefore premature of the TTO C to speculate on any upgrading of the TT Beijing 2008 Olympic Games men’s 4x100m relay team medals from silver to gold. The IOC has its protocols and procedures in respect of medal upgrades.

“As such, we have taken note of the IOC Disciplinary Commission Decision and official press release. The TTO C will fully cooperate with the IOC and look forward to a quick resolution.” Lewis was a bit melancholy yesterday discussing what transpired with Jamaica who are TT ’s Caribbean neighbours. “It is always a disappointing and an unfortunate situation when an athlete from any country is embroiled in such a situation and, moreso a Caribbean athlete.

“If Trinidad and Tobago, we aren’t in the hunt for some reason, of course we want a Caribbean athlete or Caribbean team to defeat the teams from the other continents and region. It gives me no satisfaction that in this case it is Jamaica.”am

For the third year running, the TT International Marathon (TT IM) will be an Olympic fundraiser with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTO C) including its president Brian Lewis participating in the TT marathon to raise awareness and funds (financial donations and pledges) towards the athlete welfare and preparation fund.

Lewis stated recently: “For many fitness enthusiasts and runners, starting and finishing a marathon is on their bucket list. Established as a tribute to an Ancient Greek legend, the Olympics made the marathon the global participatory sport it is today.

The Marathon has always had a prominent place in the hearts and minds of athletes. It represents the ultimate athletic effort where the human body, mind and soul are tested to their limits.” He made note that every contribution makes a positive difference in the lives of TeamTTO athletes.

“The TTO C is once again asking for support towards the TeamTTO and the #10golds24 Athlete welfare and preparation fund as donations can be made at Olympic House, 121 Abrecromby Street, Port of Spain. Also available for sale at the event on Sunday are TeamTTO Tee-shirts so come out and support Team TTO athletes as they pursue excellence for both themselves and their country’s Olympic dreams.” The public is invited to enter the Marathon, the Marathon relay or come out and support the runners and walkers along the 26.2- mile journey. At the Queen’s Park Savannah finish line, the Marathon Village will provide steel-band entertainment and fun events for children. The start time for the marathon runners is 5 am while those walking begin at 3.30 am.

now a Caribbean classic.

“My first novel was The Games Were Coming, published in 1963, and my second was The Year in San Fernando, published in 1965,” says Anthony. At that stage, I felt to write something not set in any urban area. I was fiercely patriotic to my love for Mayaro, and I thought I should like to set a book there to show that although people said Mayaro was ‘behind God’s back’ we were independent of everywhere, and lived and loved and enjoyed life in our own way.” Green Days…became Anthony’s most successful novel.

From 2000 to 2010 it became an examination novel on the CXC syllabus.

Dr Ken Ramchand, Professor Emeritus of West Indian Literature at the University of the West Indies (UWI) describes Green Days by the River as “an inspiring description of a small farmer’s bonding with the land; an accurate remembering of awakening sexuality and being in love; and a tale of a boy’s caring, and his troubled growth into responsibility.” It is more than the story of a boy and a village. It is “an undisturbed and commentary-less acceptance of the mixing of peoples in the formation of Trinidad society; a subtle depiction of the influence of social and economic forces and of the casual face of manipulation and threat,” says Ramchand.

“Re-reading Green Days by the River now, you swim down in to the depths of nostalgia,” says writer and journalist Judy Raymond. “Like Anthony’s other classic novels, this one deals with the travails of adolescence.” In many ways, Green Days… is a deceptively simple story.

“There are always depths under the living surface of Anthony’s best writing,” says Ramchand.

“The ‘green days’ of the title are those of Shell, aged 15; but the title suggests an easier, lazier life than the time Shell is actually living through,” says Raymond.

“Though still in short pants when the novel begins, he has to negotiate a move to a new area— Mayaro; the grave illness of his father, to whom he is very close; starting agricultural work to help support the family; and hence facing the fact that he will never be able to go back to school.”

And what a success story with her “babies” as she refers to everyone of the children who from age two, whether potty trained or not, up to five when they graduate to kindergarten, have sat in the large, airy classroom, in the secure and gated surroundings of Children’s House.

Secure not only in the sense of the systems installed in the building but in the knowledge that they are all well and truly loved by Aunty Nancy as they forever call her, who greets them with a daily hug on arrival at the school and again when they leave on afternoons.

This woman’s love, thoughtfulness and caring ways know no bounds.

Recently when one of her long-past graduates was in intensive care for one month at age 19, Aunty Nancy called every morning and would often appear at the nursing home even when visitors were not allowed, with tears in her eyes, reiterating that this now nearly six-foot-tall young man “is one of my babies.” In very emotional moments as we spoke last week she said: “As I look back on my last 34 years I feel so blessed to have had such wonderful families become my Montessori family. I have had the privilege to be in contact with most of my babies who still call me their Aunty Nancy and speak of the beautiful memories from their years at Children’s House.

“I am proud when I see what my graduates accomplished. The majority are studying hard at universities.

One of the first graduates is now a medical doctor.

Another graduated last weekend from the Arthur Lok Jak Graduate School of Business with an International Master in Strategic Marketing.

And even more rewarding is that now I have at school a grandchild — Yes one of my “babies” is now a mother of a child at the school.

“What more can I ask for? God Bless my school and bless all those who pass through its doors today and always.” One of Elias’ proudest moments came some years ago after a Ministry of Education survey, when the inspector returned and said: “Miss Elias I had to come and tell you this is one of the best schools we have seen.” Also it has been told that one of the diplomatic missions judged Aunty Nancy’s among the best appointed.

Then there is the academic side where the children learn the basics while they are having fun using special Montessori materials made in Holland.

Elias, a graduate of The Montessori Education Centre of Portland Oregon said: “The materials play an important part in creating the environment and are specially divided into five sections: practical life, sensorial, language, math and expression.

Just one classroom because more than one and you lose the personal touch and contact you have with each child. There is only that much that one person can do.

“Each child is unique. Each child learns at his/her own pace. Besides academics you want the child to be self-confident so that they can walk into a room and say good morning without hiding behind their parents. They must be brave, young children.” A day at Children’s House is never dull or boring as the youngsters move from practical life where they learn how to eat with a spoon, pour liquid, use a zipper, tie a bow, button clothes and even close a safety pin; to the sensorial section to learn the differences in size, shape, length, sound, texture and the basics of algebra in the form of colourful puzzle cubes, and some geography with bright globes and maps.

In the expression section the child expresses him/herself creatively by finger painting, modelling clay and drawing. The math and language sections are just as elaborately and carefully equipped .

The extra activities are never left out as every festival including Halloween is creatively celebrated.

School outings include riding ponies and visits to places including properly supervised pool parties.

A very important factor is Elias’ acceptance of children with special needs.

“The true Montessori teacher,” she says, “cannot refuse a child with special needs because that was Dr Maria Montessori’s foundation.”

The sessions will take place at the schools with an experienced dance instructor.

Over the years pupils have been taught dance disciplines such as salsa, heel and toe, soca, merengue, cha cha cha, waltz, rumba, group line dance and universal electric slide. The dance workshop has been approved by the Ministry of Education.

Pupils receive a certificate of participation as well as compete at the Dancing Is Healthy Fun, Latin and ballroom dance competition scheduled for June 7 at the Jean Pierre Indoor Complex Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

Each school is required to have a minimum of 15 pupils. For more info on registration: 776 – 5566 or nostalgia_1965@yahoo.

com.