Bzean. student is finalist in Caribbean competition
In news from the region, a young Belizean student has been named a finalist in the fourteenth annual “My Caribbean” essay competition. Ten year old Vivian Courtenay, a standard four student at Humming Bird Elementary was one of more than a hundred entries from twenty-six countries around the Caribbean. The contest is sponsored yearly by the Conde Nast Traveller. This year, participants were asked to write a two hundred and fifty word paper on the topic: “Imagine that you are a travel journalist and you have been assigned to write a story about your country. Remember that our editorial mission is Truth in Travel, and we like to go beneath the surface to show people more than just the usual tourist spots.” Today an excited Courtenay told News Five she wrote from the heart.
Vivian Courtenay, Finalist, My Caribbean Essay Contest
?I wrote about Belize and the attractions of Belize.
(Reading Essay) ?In a world of polluted air and water, one place that remains clean and pure is mother nature?s best kept secret, Belize. Accompany me as we discover Belize. Let?s start in the north, which is home to the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. There you can get up close for a personal view of sting rays, parrot fish, angel fish and many exotic marine life.?
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
?When did you hear that you were a finalists??
Vivian Courtenay
?I heard during the summer.?
Kendra Griffith
?Were you pretty excited??
Vivian Courtenay
?Yeah.?
Kendra Griffith
?Now I saw on the press release that as a finalist you get to travel to the Grand Bahama Island. How do you feel about that??
Vivian Courtenay
?I feel proud and I am happy that I get to go and represent my country.?
As one of twenty-six finalists Vivian and her mom, Sue Courtenay, will fly to the Caribbean Tourism Conference in Grand Bahama Island, scheduled for October twenty-second to the twenty-fourth. There, the winner and two runner-ups will be announced. The winning essay will then be published in the January issue of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
