Youths and self-worth, my experience
Dear Editor,
On the 14th day of November, fifteen years ago I was born to a Nurse and a Policeman, a “bouncing baby boy”, a common sight everyone may have thought but none knew the upcoming future. At age five I was labelled “intelligent” so, my parents tried their best to continue the good name. In my Primary years I attended the St.John-the-Baptist Primary School. I was placed into Spelling Bees, Essay Writings, Debates, School Choir and Science Fairs. I became well-known for these extracurricular activities in the blink of an eye.
I wrote the National Grade Six Assessment and placed fifth in the Top 10 of Region #7. Off to President’s College and back to Three Miles Secondary School. I found a penchant for politics in the First Form and locally campaigned for the APNU+AFC Government. Then I was known as a vibrant speaker, my spotlight shun more bright in the Second Form. I found myself a motivator and her name was Ms. Dascia Holder. She said to me “Mr.President always remember people expect better from you and they see opportunity in you, so don’t mess up your personal browser (the brain)” and I jumped into overload and wrote novels, mini-books and songs. I tried publishing them but I was turned down due to age, they told me.
I moved on, started experiments which were never recorded or ever yet tried by scientist, chemist or even herbalist, went to the Science Fair but lost. I was on the verge of giving up until I took part in a J.O.F Haynes Debate saying to myself “I will show those `big boys’ how it’s done”. But my heart did not “skip a beat” until Advisor to the President on the Environment Mr.Gary Best said “And our Best Speaker is O’shea Mingo”. I looked left, then right at every camera that was surrounding me. I jumped up feeling excited, waiting anxiously to hear my prize “An award from His Excellency President David Granger at the Bartica Town Day Celebration”. Tears filled my eyes and proudness covered my heart as I collected my trophy from the President. He then asked me a question “How old are you now?” I answered proudly saying “13 years old Your Excellency”.
I then became a “Bartician Mogul” but with success comes enemies. From that day onward I was never featured for anything productive, my seniors would find someone or something to put in my space so that I couldn’t get fame or fortune for my hard work. So, a whole year passed away I had nothing recent to show or add to my achievements. I then touched the Third Form as unknown, forgotten and uncrowned until Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Mr.Barton Scotland visited my school.
Even though I wasn’t told about the visit I still somehow found out and some words said by the late John F. Kennedy came to mind: “It’s not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. I marched with my Prefect badge directly to the forbidden auditorium and upon my arrival there stood The Speaker with my enemies. Then I remembered the Bible saying “you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”.
I intruded at that moment and asked the Speaker to accompany me to my class, forgetting all the rules I was breaking just thinking about the betterment of my colleagues and my hometown. Mr.Scotland then agreed, he and his entire media team and security followed. I introduced him to my class and he asked questions and they asked questions.
I walked him to his car, In the presence of Madame Pauline Sukhai I made a proposal about the rehabilitation of our resource centre. They both smiled and asked “How old are you” at the synchronized minute. I answered by saying “Age is just a number and so is VAT”. We all shared a hearty laugh and they left. And I take this wonderful opportunity to tell all readers, my purpose of writing this letter wasn’t to be noticed but to encourage other youths about self-worth.
Yours faithfully, O’shea Mingo