Consistent hard work and intellect

Dear Editor,
In the life of a nation, there are moments that invite reflection and quiet pride. The story of Daniel Persaud, being named the University of Guyana’s 2025 Valedictorian and President’s Medallist, is one such moment. His achievement is a powerful testament to the resilience, dedication, and potential that define the Guyanese spirit. He was not a top candidate from one of the top schools, but his output can rival even the best from the top schools in Guyana, thanks to his character, which embodies true grit. His attitude of mind must be celebrated as the benchmark for the true Guyanese aspiration as we all embark on the journey to build a new Guyana – one that embodies humility but with a determined spirit, well-grounded in spirituality.
I also want to congratulate Mr Komal Samaroo and the team at the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) for the support they offered to Mr Persaud. That kind of corporate support is vital in the positive evolution of the society. We need to see more of this from the Private Sector.
Those of us who studied at the University of Guyana (UG) will know that the engineering programme is not a walk in the park, and anytime a 4.0 GPA is achieved in the School of Engineering, it is a time for deep celebration since it is a ground-breaking moment that was backed by consistent hard work and intellect.
As Mr Persaud stated, his path to academic excellence was not straightforward. As we all know, nothing in life is easy, but that is not an excuse to give up but to double down and press forward. After an initial rejection from UG, he demonstrated an attitude of remarkable perseverance by enrolling at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) to create another path toward creating his dream. But what I am most proud of, for this son of Wales, where the now closed sugar estate is situated, is that he was also a graduate of the GuySuCo Port Mourant Training Centre. What is a given fact is that the Port Morant Training School has produced some of the finest technicians that ever graced these shores, and they continue to do very well wherever they are situated, be it the New York City Transit Authority, the Florida Sugar Industry, or even here at home in an industrial setting.
This story has a life-determining message of work-life balance. As he put it, balancing the intense rigours of an engineering programme, which he humorously referred to as “torture”, with personal responsibilities required immense commitment. He credited his success to a focused mindset, collaborative study with his friend Lemuel Williams, and the supportive guidance of his lecturers and grandmother and other family members. It is this friendship with Mr Williams that is my proudest moment because it brought back many good memories for me, eating sardines and bread with my fellow study mates at midnight in those stables, in between study sessions, as working students. When we graduated, we knew that we could not have done it without each other; it was a celebration of the team.
But the most patriotic advice I have heard from anyone in a long time came from Mr Persaud when he advised fellow graduates to contribute to Guyana’s development, saying, “Stick around, take advantage of the opportunities, don’t be afraid to share your ideas, dream big, innovate, be yourself.” Guyana is on the rise, and I trust our youths will listen to his message and stay, cooperate with each other, and contribute towards the building of a better Guyana for the next generation.
Daniel Persaud’s story is more than an academic triumph; it is a narrative of resilience, community support, and unwavering faith. He is a deserving valedictorian whose journey serves as an inspiration and a source of immense pride. Well done, Mr Daniel Persaud.

Yours truly,
Sasenarine Singh