Dominican students top U.S. Embassy’s International Education Week Essay Contest

Medina Tyson (left) accepts her first prize from PAO Rebecca Ross.

Bridgetown, Barbados Thursday, April 7, 2011 – Two Dominican students, Medina Tyson and Robert Douglas, came out on top when the U.S. Embassy to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean held its International Education Week Essay Contest recently.

The competition, which was held throughout the six OECS nations which the Embassy is accredited to, asked students to write on how studying in the United States would personally transform them and how they would give back to their communities.

Thirteen-year-old Medina Tyson of the North East Comprehensive School took the USD $500 first prize. Tyson, who is Kalinago, impressed the judges with an insightful essay on her hopes to study medicine in the United States and her intention to use both her medical knowledge and the chance for interaction with indigenous North Americans to the benefit of her community.

Writing with sensitivity and maturity, Tyson outlined the issues residents in the Kalinago territory face in accessing medical care and clearly articulated her plans to volunteer her time in clinics which serve the community.

Fourteen-year-old Robert Douglas of Portsmouth Secondary School placed third, writing about his ambition to pursue his passion for technology and his plans to make an impact in the field of information technology. His essay, where he wrote about how he wishes to “launch Dominica as an oasis of technology in the Caribbean” and of how an American education “can be the ticket to a successful life,” won him the USD $200 third prize.

Both students were presented with their prizes recently at separate ceremonies in Dominica in Portsmouth and the Kalinago Territory.

IEW essay contest presentation to Robert Douglas (second from left)

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32 Comments

  1. bronxgirl
    April 9, 2011

    Congratulation to these students who have done an excellent job. Parents, don’t to encourage your children. This will go a long way in building their future.

    Dominicans, this is the moment that we have to fill the comment section. We comment on such meaningless articles, yet when it is a deserving moment such as this one to encourage our students, we fail.

    Well done youngsters…..keep up the great work.

  2. Anonymous
    April 9, 2011

    congratulations to these intelligent kids.

    Dominicans, now is the time to fill the comment section with encouraging words to these youngsters.

    well done kids.

  3. Miss Northeast
    April 9, 2011

    Hatts off to ms. tyson..keep going at it girl, keep making us proud.

  4. Concerned
    April 8, 2011

    CONGRATULATIONS Medina and Robert! DOMINICANS everywhere are so VERY PROUD of your achievements,
    GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR STUDIES!

  5. page
    April 8, 2011

    North East Comprehensive excelling in all areas. Proud of u Medina, keep up the good works

  6. .
    April 8, 2011

    Our students are great students. keep encouraging them instead of always putting them down. Great work.

  7. rio
    April 8, 2011

    THESE KINDS OF NEWS MAKES ME FEEL SO PROUD AND HAPPY ABOUT MY COUNTRY DA..CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STUDENTS AND CONTINUE TO EXCEL!!!

  8. Domerican/PossieMassive
    April 8, 2011

    Wonderful job sweeties, my prayer for the both of you is that you achieve your vocational destiny. Much blessings and success.

  9. Valda Bruno Durand
    April 8, 2011

    Take That! all you think we joking. but what is Sean doing in the boy picture LOL

  10. Kalinago in New York
    April 8, 2011

    Congratulations Medina, you have certainly made all of us proud. Blessings on your journey through life

  11. Simple
    April 8, 2011

    well done

  12. *****
    April 8, 2011

    Excellent!!!!!!! Great news!

  13. ss
    April 8, 2011

    well done…im proud of the youth on their achievements

  14. Dominican Airline...
    April 8, 2011

    Dominican Kalinago Powah!!

  15. Sam Christian
    April 8, 2011

    Congratulations to Medina and Robert. Great job!
    Our country’s destiny is in your hands. My heart swells with pride when I hear news like that…and it assures me that Dominica future is bright.

  16. Brain Damage
    April 7, 2011

    Dominicans are hard working people. Congrats to both students. In addition to your prizes, visas should be considered for your future studies in the US.

  17. Gabo
    April 7, 2011

    Dominica always excell l when we think and act positively. Travelling overseas and collecting info on Dominicans from several official sources, the reports on Dominicans came up trumps, except for one island.. Bo matter what the insulters say, I know my people are among the best.

  18. smile
    April 7, 2011

    great foundation+hard work=awesome student…

  19. for real
    April 7, 2011

    well done students. great job by two top,well rounded schools in dominica. big up to their teachers and family. bravo!!!

  20. chakalaka
    April 7, 2011

    what for Dominicans to comment on they never commenting on… i commend the kids who won such an incredible award

  21. Proud
    April 7, 2011

    Excellent…Congratulations…

  22. Bro Joe
    April 7, 2011

    Congratulations Medina, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you made us all proud. May you be successful in realizing your goal.

  23. nature girl
    April 7, 2011

    congratulations to these two students. keep up the good work and stay on the positive side.

  24. Accept your reality
    April 7, 2011

    Congratulations to you both. You should be proud of yourselves and your accomplishment. Hold on to your dreams and always keep exceling

  25. YAYY
    April 7, 2011

    CONGRATULATIONS :wink:

  26. C'est La Vie
    April 7, 2011

    Great news. I like

  27. Homeboy
    April 7, 2011

    Great job students

  28. Reader
    April 7, 2011

    Wow!! Some positive and great news! Congratulations to Medina and Robert! We are proud of your accomplishments!

  29. Dern
    April 7, 2011

    way to go Medina!!

  30. Yes I
    April 7, 2011

    We did it again. The people of Dominica continues to make us proud both here and abroad..Congratulations to both of you. That was indeed exceptional

  31. Anonymous
    April 7, 2011

    yes!!!! we did it again!!

    • First people
      April 8, 2011

      I knew you were kalinago i told MOT he didnt believe! i knew it i knew it ,good to know you are one of us. good to go good to go any way if you are interested i came second.

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