标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Union Claxton Bay Multipurpose Hall witnessed a remarkable celebration of youth and talent on December 13 as seven-year-old Jerusha Osborne claimed the coveted Little Miss Claxton Bay title. The event, hosted by First Impression Brash and Sassy, marked the triumphant return of the competition after an eight-year hiatus caused by pandemic restrictions and economic challenges.

Jerusha’s captivating performance throughout multiple segments secured her victory. Her interpretation of Martha from biblical scriptures, a futuristic paper-made ensemble in the special fashion segment, and her heartfelt delivery of ‘The Hat I Got for Christmas is Too Big’ demonstrated exceptional versatility. Her final parade in an elegant green and red evening gown cemented her status as the winner.

The competition, operating under the theme ‘Jesus Is King, Women of the Bible,’ required participants to embody notable biblical figures including Mary of Nazareth, Pharaoh’s daughter, Esther, Hannah, and Martha. According to coordinator Norma Bramble-Joseph, this criterion was designed to foster spiritual guidance and humility among the young competitors.

Heaven Rouse emerged as another standout performer, earning multiple accolades including best delegate, best evening gown, and best hairstyle. Her mother, La Donna Rouse, received recognition as the best designer.

The event featured substantial rewards for participants, with over $6,000 in prizes, Christmas hampers, crowns, sashes, and sponsored goodies across various categories. Zaharah Williams received best talent honors for her sterling rendition of ‘O’ Holy Night,’ while Zendaya Pierre was named Miss Photogenic, most improved, and people’s choice delegate.

Jerusha, a standard one pupil at San Fernando Girls’ Anglican School, represented the vibrant future of community events in Claxton Bay, signaling a successful revival of cultural traditions after years of interruption.

In an extraordinary display of versatility and determination, 11-year-old Suri Gosine from Princes Town is redefining what young scholars can achieve. The TML Libertville Primary School student embodies Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s philosophy that “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind” through her remarkable balance of academic rigor, athletic prowess, artistic expression, and community engagement.

Gosine maintains an impressive portfolio of activities that would overwhelm most adults, yet she approaches her commitments with strategic prioritization and genuine enjoyment. Her weekly schedule includes gymnastics, swimming, steelpan performance, and participation in seven distinct clubs spanning from 4H and Cub Scouts to Red Cross, scrabble, choir, environmental, and literature organizations. Remarkably, she is simultaneously undertaking aviation classes at Professional Airline Training Solutions.

Her trophy case reflects this diverse involvement, with national first-place victories in WASA’s River Speak programme, Schools’ Oratory Spoken Word competitions, and the TTUTA Look-Alike Competition. She has accumulated additional medals and trophies in poetry, storytelling, athletics, and environmental writing.

Despite these extracurricular accomplishments, Gosine maintains sharp focus on her academic goals, particularly her upcoming Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination. “I feel confident and excited about my preparations for SEA exams as I believe my teachers would have given me a solid foundation,” she stated.

The young scholar demonstrates particular aptitude in Mathematics while acknowledging creative writing as her most challenging subject. She overcomes this hurdle through imaginative expansion and vocabulary development, noting that reading extensively helps build creativity.

Her passion for performance arts emerged through her school’s environmental club. “I enjoy both poetry and spoken word because I become someone other than Suri,” Gosine explained. “I take on a different personality and can add my own touch to bring life to my role.” She particularly admires storyteller Paul Keens-Douglas for his humorous depictions of West Indian life.

Gosine’s swimming journey began at age three as therapy to overcome aquaphobia, which subsequently enhanced her physical strength for gymnastics. She acknowledges frog kicks remain her most challenging technique.

The prodigy credits her success to a robust support system including entrepreneur parents who serve as “biggest cheerleaders and fans,” along with teachers and family members who encourage balanced rest periods. She cherishes the wisdom of her late grandfather, former schoolteacher Freddie Sukur Ali: “Sacrifice is only for a time.”

When mental fatigue sets in, Gosine rejuvenates by watching inspirational Dhar Mann videos. Looking toward her future, she aspires to become a neurologist, fascinated by the brain’s disproportionate control over the human body.

She draws inspiration from cousin Vishesh Ramoutar, a 21-year-old US Navy Seal whose dedication demonstrates what passion and commitment can achieve. For 2026, her primary objectives include SEA success and confident pursuit of new opportunities, including preparation for a national 4H competition.

Gosine’s advice to peers emphasizes pursuing genuine interests with fair play and camaraderie. “It helps stimulate the brain, forges friendships, builds great discipline and creates a space where you can thrive,” she affirmed. For those facing exam anxiety, she counsels: “Your only competition is yourself. Work towards being better than you were yesterday.” Her ultimate wisdom reflects her lived experience: “The only limit is what you set for yourself.”

In an extraordinary demonstration of lifelong dedication and resilience, 72-year-old Clifford Mendez from Chaguanas has triumphantly returned to martial arts after a five-decade hiatus, recently achieving his brown belt in karate with aspirations toward black belt mastery.

The Shotokan Karate do International Federation (SKIF TT) formally presented Mendez with his brown belt and certification during a December 20 ceremony at La Joya Complex in St Joseph. This prestigious Japanese-affiliated organization recognized Mendez’s remarkable journey that originated in his teenage years, paused abruptly at age 22, and found its courageous resurgence exactly fifty years later.

“This achievement represents half a century of contemplation,” Mendez revealed. “Not a single year passed without me considering a return to practice. With advancing age often comes regret for unrealized ambitions – this was mine, and I’m actualizing it now.”

Mendez’s recommitment to karate began just over four months ago following an extensive search for suitable training accommodations. After encountering logistical challenges with other organizations, he persistently sought instructors willing to conduct home sessions that would restore his technical proficiency. His pursuit culminated with Sensei Ian Sammy, chief instructor and president of SKIF TT, who arranged specialized home training to rebuild Mendez’s capabilities.

The initial training proved profoundly challenging. “I contemplated immediate withdrawal,” Mendez admitted. “The intensity exceeded expectations, and the trainer maintained rigorous standards. I specifically requested no age-related concessions – I desired genuine achievement, not ceremonial recognition.”

Following four months of intensive home preparation, Mendez transitioned to the La Joya dojo, where he discovered both technical competence and communal belonging. “I experienced immediate comfort and acceptance within the dojo community,” he noted. “I recognized that my skills matched established standards and that I belonged among practicing members.”

His rapid progression qualified him for December 17’s brown belt examination, which he successfully passed, subsequently joining training sessions alongside black belt practitioners.

Beyond the dojo, Mendez’s life reflects consistent service and intellectual pursuit. A father of ten children, he studied print technology at Canada’s George Brown College, served on the John Donaldson College advisory board (precursor to the University of Trinidad and Tobago), and formerly acted as Public Relations Officer for the Caribbean Students Association.

Martial arts tradition permeates his family lineage, with his sister Claudia Mendez having earned recognition as a brown belt “kata queen” through another karate organization. While pandemic considerations temporarily delayed Mendez’s return to training, his 2024 commitment manifested through three to four weekly sessions persevering through physical discomfort.

“Sensei Sammy consistently advises measured progression at my own pace,” Mendez explained. “His philosophical guidance provides essential motivation. With institutional support and SKIF’s familial environment, black belt achievement becomes an attainable reality.”

Training alongside significantly younger practitioners presents psychological challenges, but Mendez emphasizes mental fortitude: “One must transcend psychological barriers through direct engagement. Simply act.” He further stresses karate’s non-aggressive philosophy, recalling how his youthful training enabled conflict avoidance rather than confrontation.

SKIF TT’s inclusive programming accommodates practitioners from ages 4 to 94, with Sammy identifying Mendez among their most senior members. A 62-year-old student currently prepares for black belt testing next year, challenging misconceptions about age limitations in martial arts.

“Mendez’s determination is exceptional for his age cohort,” Sammy observed. “While karate historically developed for adults, contemporary programming adapts training methodologies across ages and capabilities.”

The organization emphasizes self-protection, discipline, and respect alongside physical conditioning. Regarding Mendez’s ambitions, Sammy confirmed: “His black belt goal is achievable. We accommodate age-related limitations through progressive training. Two additional brown belt levels precede black belt qualification, potentially attainable within one year.”

Advanced rank progression requires sustained commitment, with first-degree black belts necessitating two additional years’ training for second-degree examination. Mendez’s presence inspires fellow students as a mentoring figure demonstrating that lifelong passions remain achievable regardless of temporal interruption.

In the heart of San Fernando, a remarkable story of resilience and creativity unfolds at Pretty V’s Petals floral boutique. Shanti Kissoon, 55, has transformed life’s profound hardships into an extraordinary talent for creating beauty through floral arrangements.

Growing up in rural Cumuto as one of thirteen children, Kissoon faced early adversity when she lost her mother to cancer at just 13 years old. This tragic loss became the catalyst for developing both practical skills and emotional resilience that would later define her artistic vision. “I learned to help maintain our home quickly,” Kissoon reflects, “but more importantly, I learned to see potential where others saw only limitation.”

Her floral business, co-operated with Amaan Dar at the Arcade Mall, represents more than commercial enterprise—it embodies a philosophy of transforming “ugly into beauty” and “pain into pleasantries.” This approach stems from childhood influences; her mother, Phoolmat, was an avid craft enthusiast and plant lover whose passion became Kissoon’s inheritance.

“My mother instilled in me this deep appreciation for nature’s overlooked treasures,” Kissoon explains. “While others might dismiss certain materials as ‘old bush,’ I see inherent beauty. This perspective extends beyond floristry—it’s how I approach life itself.”

Completely self-taught, Kissoon developed her distinctive style through observation and experimentation. Her creations have gained particular attention for their non-conventional designs and colors, with clients increasingly seeking arrangements that maintain their appeal beyond seasonal celebrations.

The Christmas season holds complex emotional resonance for Kissoon, evoking memories of impoverished but joyful celebrations. “We created decorations from saved matchboxes wrapped as gifts and used pine branches as Christmas trees,” she recalls. “Those experiences taught me that celebration isn’t about material wealth but about shared joy and creativity.”

This philosophy now informs her business ethos: “Christmas represents faith, family, and love—not commercial competition. I strive to help people remember those less fortunate and brighten lives through floral artistry that carries emotional significance beyond aesthetic appeal.”

Kissoon’s journey from Cumuto to successful entrepreneurship demonstrates how personal history can shape professional excellence. Her story stands as testament to the transformative power of viewing challenges as opportunities and finding beauty in unexpected places.

While Christmas traditionally evokes images of festive gatherings and abundance, for Trinidad’s homeless and socially displaced populations, the season amplifies feelings of isolation and hardship. Attorney Sherise Naseem Hosein, 33, embodies an alternative spirit of Christmas through her dual commitment to legal excellence and humanitarian service.

Operating from Mandamus Law Chambers in Couva, Hosein has dedicated her nine-year legal career to courtroom advocacy while simultaneously volunteering with the Socially Displaced Restoration Centre (SDRC). Her motivation stems from childhood values instilled by her taxi driver father Shameel Mohammed, secretary mother Fareza Hosein, and grandparents Jamadar and Zaibun Hosein. “They taught me kindness, empathy and consideration for others through daily actions,” she reflects, noting how the principle that “service to God is service to man” guided her development.

Despite early academic challenges in reading, Hosein’s perseverance led her to pursue international relations at UWI, law through the University of London, and an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University. This educational foundation now supports her work with SDRC’s initiatives, including weekly food distributions and quarterly “care days” at Couva’s Inshan Ali Promenade. The organization is currently advocating to convert an abandoned Couva building into an overnight shelter with rehabilitation services.

Hosein’s volunteer engagement extends to the TTPS Community Justice Clinic, where she has served as team lead for four years. This collaborative effort between police and volunteer attorneys provides accessible legal guidance on family matters, domestic violence, and land issues—cases often intersecting with social vulnerability. “The goal is to empower the community with knowledge so justice isn’t out of reach,” Hosein explains.

The attorney challenges common misconceptions about homelessness, emphasizing that “many people are displaced due to circumstances beyond their control—loss, trauma, unemployment, or untreated mental-health challenges.” She identifies systemic gaps including affordable housing shortages and limited social support as contributing factors, advocating for both policy reform and community-driven solutions.

Balancing legal practice with volunteer commitments requires meticulous organization, but Hosein finds the experience transformative. “Volunteering has reinforced how even smallest acts of kindness impact lives,” she observes. Her Christmas perspective has evolved beyond celebration to emphasize “compassion, presence, and small acts of kindness that bring comfort and dignity.”

Hosein’s message to the public transcends seasonal giving: “Compassion isn’t only for special occasions. Even small contributions of time or support can build a stronger, caring community year-round.”