By Sheku Osman Swaray
Cheers and excitement filled the assembly grounds of the Wellington Muslim Association (WMA) Secondary School on Tuesday as pupils and teachers gathered to celebrate one of their own, Alimatu H. Sesay, who emerged victorious in the Muslimah Public Speaking Competition Season Three.
The competition, organized by the Muslim Youth Development Organization, brought together thirteen contestants from different schools with the aim of empowering Muslim women and girls through leadership, confidence building, and effective public speaking.
Representing WMA Secondary School, Alimatu H. Sesay, an SSS 2 Arts pupil, distinguished herself with an exceptional presentation that earned her the top position in the national competition. Her victory was widely applauded by members of the school administration, teachers, and fellow pupils during a special recognition ceremony held at the school assembly.
Addressing the gathering, Vice Principal of the Junior Secondary School, Mr. Alusine Bangura, encouraged students to remain committed to their studies and emulate the determination demonstrated by the award winner. He noted that Alimatu’s success reflects the importance of hard work, discipline, and confidence.
Vice Principal of the Senior Secondary School, Mr. Abu Bakarr Kamara, also congratulated the young champion and reminded pupils to uphold the reputation of the institution through discipline and academic excellence. He emphasized that activities such as debates, news reading, and public speaking competitions remain essential in building communication skills and self-confidence among students.
Meanwhile, Principal of the Junior Secondary School, Mr. Alhaji Abdul Lathief Kargbo, described the achievement as a proud moment for the institution. He stressed that empowering women and girls through education and public speaking contributes greatly to national and Islamic development. According to him, the school remains committed to supporting pupils in achieving excellence both academically and socially.
He further praised teachers for their dedication and guidance, adding that WMA Secondary School has continued to maintain a strong record in inter-school competitions across the country.
The ceremony ended with special prayers led by one of the Chief Imams, who prayed for continued success, wisdom, and blessings for the award winner, the school community, and the nation at large.