When she entered her guidance counselor’s office earlier this year, it was not a big revelation. Bibi Sulaman, a senior at Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences High School, had met with her counselor to verify her credits and classes before graduating this June. Casually, her counselor revealed that she was valedictorian of her class of around 150 students. “It wasn’t a surprise,” said Bibi. “[Being valedictorian] wasn’t my goal. I just tried to do my…
Meet Our Sheroes
On Saturday, July 4, Guyana’s first female World Champion Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil defeated Sonya Lamonakis and captured the heavyweight title in Philipsburg, St Maarten. O’Neil who is now a five-time boxing world champion while at the same time a mother of five children, thanked the fans, her management team and God for the heart-stirring win which put her back on top of the world heavyweight boxing scene. A huge crowd favourite, O’Neil fought to…
Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud was elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2014. In January, 2015 she was sworn in as the first female, first black, first Guyanese to hold the position of Assembly member for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, New York . Assemblywoman Persaud is a longtime advocate for her community and an avid volunteer. Her dedication to serving her community has motivated her to serve in various capacities. Assemblywoman Persaud …
Happy July 4th Holiday to all GGR Friends, Fans and Family in the USA.
Eliza Smith is 9 years old. Born on October 8, 2005 she is a mix of Guyanese and Turkish. He mother was born in #58 village in Berbice. She currently resides in Queens, NY. Eliza will be starting the 5th grade for the upcoming school year, and has been awarded student of the month on numerous occasions. Eliza is a model, dancer and actress. She currently attends the Ghungaroos Dance Academy where she is being…
Ira Leona Lewis is known throughout the Caribbean and American community as “Lady Ira”. Born in British Guiana to the late Omar Converty and Elaine Pile, Lady Ira has been an essential figure in spearheading efforts that promote the Cultural awareness and well being of New Jersey’s Guyanese American community for over 20 years. Supporting her vision of a united and informed Guyanese community, Lady Ira is dedicated to the development of organizations and events that benefit Guyanese…
Guyanese, Debra Amata, received the top score out of 836 students who sat for the SEA examination in Tobago this year. She scored 238.298 points and told the media her success was due to her spirituality, parents and teachers. Debra moved to Tobago in 2014 with her parents, who are both medical doctors at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago. Her mother, Dr Vivienne Amata, said her daughter was a well-rounded student and she was very proud of her…
This book is about Mohan and the many challenges he faces at home, as well as, school. Mohan discovers that having family and friends that believe in him and making the effort to do his best, can result in accomplishing the unexpected. Author Anaya Lee Willabus is an eight year old visionary who loves to read and play sports. At the age of two, Anaya Lee was taught to read by her father. She was…
At the young age of 8, Anaya Lee Willabus will go down in US history as the youngest published female author of a chapter book. She was born in Brooklyn, NY to Guyanese parents, Dimple and Winston Willabus of Georgetown. Anaya’s book, The Day Mohan Found His Confidence, tells the story of a young boy named Mohan and the many challenges he faces at home and at school. On June 9th, 2015, Anaya was recognized by Guyanese-born New York State…
Born and raised in Guyana, South America, Onica Charles faced many disadvantages still experienced by its citizens today. When she was twelve years old, her parents brought her to the United States “to give me a chance at a good education.” Charles had no idea that one day, that opportunity would inspire her to create a similar path for others. Charles (M.P.A. ’09) made the decision to attend Nova because “I was able to begin…