After an electrifying night at the 20th annual Portraits of Excellence Scholarship Awards and Gala hosted by the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), Mr. USC, Nicholas Hanooman, and Ms. USC, Mya Garraway, each walked away with the coveted $30,000 grand prize.
Following eight months of rigorous preparation and tireless determination, the gala showcased some of the region’s most talented and intellectually driven delegates in a night of brilliance.
More than a traditional competition, Portraits of Excellence seeks to encourage critical thinking, cultural awareness, and service-minded students, all in an effort to mould the university’s most promising young leaders.
The 2026 theme was “Empowering My Generation: Youth in Motion for Health and Hope.”
After intense competition, Nicholas Hanooman and Mya Garraway, representing Trinidad and Tobago, were named Mr. and Ms. USC, officially stepping into their roles as ambassadors of the University of the Southern Caribbean, where they will serve for one year.
Speaking to TTT News following their victory, Nicholas and Mya shared their sentiments.
Nicholas said, “It was a gruelling journey. I was a very inside, more shy person at the start, but look at me now. I am just so – I don’t know, it’s just so much, so much to just take it in, just doing so much more interviews, just being more outspoken, you know, so it really is just a life-changing experience.”
Mya shared, “For me, what was the standout experience was winning the talent segment, a dance I’ve actually, if I am correct, has not won in a while or have not won at all, so it was like an iffy iffy chance, but I am glad that I took it and that I actually won. I am really proud of that moment.”
Nicholas and Mya also took home the ‘Community Project Award’ of TT$5,000.
Other awardees of the night also included Congeniality winner Adriell Wilson with a prize of TT$1,000.
The award for the ‘Best Oral Presentation’ went to Angelique Gurley, representing St. Vincent and Grenada.
Taking home the ‘People’s Choice Award’ was Antigua and Barbuda delegate Lemario Clarke-Damier.
Six delegates also received partial scholarships totalling TT$7,500 toward tuition fees.
The journey featured an array of vibrant cultural costume presentations, dynamic talent performances, and impromptu question responses, all challenging delegates to articulate informed, forward-thinking perspectives on development and growth in the Caribbean.