​Fun facts about Tobago

• Tobago got its name because it resembles a tobacco pipe (tavaco) used by local natives.
• Tobago only has 6% of the total area and 4% of the total population of this dual-island nation
• The oldest rain forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere is located in Tobago.

It is not yet final, but T&T's Men’s relay team are in line to be awarded the gold medal for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing  for their 4 x 100 meter relay. The Jamaican team have been stripped of their  gold medal because one runner, Nesta Carter, was found guilty of a doping violation, the International Olympic Committee said today. 
​Carter initially tested negative after the race in 2008. But his sample was one of many retested by the I.O.C. last year. It was found to contain a prohibited stimulant, methylhexaneamine.  The downside of this is that Usain Bolt has lost a gold medal...but he said he will return the gold medal when asked to do so.
Trinidad and Tobago team had placed 2nd in the event and the team members were: Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richards Thompson.
Japan will now receive the silver and Brazil the bronze.
It should be noted that the TTOC has not yet received any formal notifications from the International Olympic Committee  on how their decision will affect the T&T Relay team.  Stay tuned. 

Enjoy this journey back to 1957 for a look back at carnival

​Based on the predictions from his doctors it is unlikely that Historian Angelo Bissessarsingh will live to see the publication of his fourth book Folklore and Mythology.
The researcher/historian took a turn for the worse, according to his family, over the weekend and has slipped into unconsciousness, as his battle with pancreatic cancer nears the end.
Apart from the three books - Walking with the Ancestors—The Historic Cemeteries of Trinidad; Snapshots of the History of Trinidad and Tobago; Virtual Glimpses into the Past; and Pancho’s Dilemma, he has a fourth which is due in the middle of next month. Angelo also has an incomplete manuscript of short stories.  He is the founder of the Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago.  Source: 107.7 Music for Life

A leading member of the Commonwealth Youth Council has become the youngest ever senator in Trinidad and Tobago’s history. Nikoli Edwards, aged 25, was sworn in as a temporary independent senator by the country’s President, Anthony Carmona on 11 January 2017.
In his maiden speech to the Senate, Mr Edwards spoke of the importance of young people having a voice in creating national legislation.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am to be addressing this honourable chamber,” Mr Edwards said. “For me, and to many other young people across Trinidad and Tobago, this signals hope. It signals that there is in fact opportunity for young people.”
The young senator was speaking during a Senate debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Marriage) Bill 2016, during which he argued passionately against early marriage.
In Trinidad and Tobago’s Senate, independent senators are selected by the President as representatives of civil society. Mr Edwards was appointed as a temporary senator while a permanent senator is out of the country.
In a statement, Mr Edwards said, “By allowing a youth voice to occupy the independent bench of the Senate, my appointment has demonstrated the commitment by President Carmona to the youth of Trinidad and Tobago.
“I hope to bring a youth and civil society perspective to the Senate that is informed by my interactions with many youth organisations and individuals across the country and the Commonwealth.”
Mr Edwards was elected to the Commonwealth Youth Council in November 2015 and serves as Vice Chair for Policy, Advocacy and Projects. He is also founder and chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Convention.
Katherine Ellis, Director of Youth at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said, "Nikoli is to be congratulated on his achievement. It is wonderful to see the passion with which he is already advocating on issues that are important to young people.
“We hope to see more Commonwealth young leaders moving into positions where they can directly influence policy in their countries."
Source:  The Commonwealth 

 (Photo (L-R): Nejev Polo, Sharnavi Sagramsingh, Caitlin Brooker, Michael Beepath, Priya Maraj, Raquel Le Blanc)
Wow, the girls rocked this year, taking the lion’s share of President’s Medals, with five girls winning gold and silver medals and one boy, Michael Beepath, winning a silver medal.
Six students received their medals from President Anthony Carmona at yesterday’s presentation ceremony for the 2016 Awards of National Scholarships and Awards System (Incentives to Excellence) at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain. Congratulations to all these young people - and to the parents and teachers.  Was so glad to see a student from my old alma mater (St. Joseph's Convent) winning a gold medal!
The medal winners are as follows:
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
GOLD: Priya Maraj (Lakshmi Girls Hindu College)
GOLD: Raquel Le Blanc (St Joseph's Convent, Port of Spain)
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC)
GOLD: Nejev Polo (St Francois Girls College)
SILVER: Sharnavi Sagramsingh (Naparima Girls High School)
Secondary Entrance Exam (SEA)
GOLD: Caitlin Brooker (San Fernando TML)
SILVER: Michael Beepath (Avocat Vedic Primary)