A student of Skeldon Line Path Secondary School has been named Guyana’s top youth environmental advocate after emerging victorious in the 2026 edition of Recover Guyana’s SHOUT4Change competition.
Randy Mangal secured the national title on World Environment Day, June 5, after outperforming 19 other finalists drawn from secondary schools across the country in the annual environmental advocacy contest.
The competition, now in its fourth year, is organised by Recover Guyana in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and with support from ExxonMobil Guyana.
Speaking at Friday’s event, Recover Guyana Founder and President Dr. Dave Lalltoo said this year’s competition represented a major step forward in promoting environmental awareness, leadership and STEM-based learning among young people.
“The competition welcomed national finalists from 20 secondary schools across Guyana, reflecting geographic diversity and ensuring youth representation from various regions of the country. Through a structured, multi-phase competition process and extensive capacity-building engagements, finalists have been supported not only to strengthen their public speaking skills but also to deepen their environmental awareness, emotional readiness, and leadership capabilities.”
The competition began on February 9 with Grade Nine and Ten students submitting one-minute videos outlining how they would improve their school’s environment if given $1 million.
According to Recover Guyana, more than 70 entries were received, with a selection panel identifying 20 national finalists.
The final rounds were held at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel and featured prepared speeches, impromptu presentations and a final challenge in which the top four contestants were asked how they would use STEM-based solutions to address environmental issues at their schools if awarded $1 million.
Mangal impressed the judges with a proposal aimed at transforming waste into opportunities within the school environment. He said he would invest the prize money in converting waste materials into seating and vertical gardens while introducing water refill stations to reduce plastic bottle use.
In addition to being crowned the country’s “Top National Youth Environmental Advocate,” Mangal received an HP laptop, one year of free ONE Fibre internet service and an educational advancement voucher valued at $100,000.
Second place went to Bhomika Singh of Tagore Memorial High School, who received an HP laptop, one year of free internet service and a $75,000 educational voucher.
Third place was awarded to Brandon Holder of Hope Secondary School, while Orlando Reynolds of President’s College placed fourth. Both students received laptops, internet service and educational vouchers.
Speaking on behalf of ExxonMobil Guyana, Socioeconomic Manager Lorna Carlson praised the initiative for encouraging students to identify environmental challenges and develop practical solutions.
“At ExxonMobil, we’re guided by a very simple model, and we live it every day: Protect tomorrow today – our commitment to protect the environment while delivering the energy the globe needs. This means responsibly developing Guyana’s resources while also safeguarding its rich natural environment.”
The remaining members of the top ten included Elijah Ryan Toolsie of Stewartville Secondary School, Hadassah Harris of Friendship Secondary School, Ruqayyah Mohamed of Qayyim Academy, Emma Munro of St Joseph High School, Jolena Camacho of J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School and Raphieal Jacobis of Leguan Secondary School.
Several special awards were also presented. Reynolds won the Best Speaker Award and Best Environmental Impact Speech Award, while Holder received the Most Influential Speech Award. Singh was honoured with the Go Green Award.
SHOUT4Change was first launched in 2023 on World Environment Day. Previous winners include Vassana Persaud of Queen’s College, who implemented a water purification project at her school, Gabriella Arjun of Queen’s College, who launched a hydroponics kitchen garden project, and Anushka Singh, also of Queen’s College, who developed a Cycle Smart initiative.
Organisers said the competition continues to provide a platform for young Guyanese to combine environmental advocacy with innovation, leadership and STEM-based problem-solving.
