From Bare Root, East Coast Demerara to the international hockey stage and academic top honors, Africo Blackman has proved that with hard work, discipline, and support, greatness can come from anywhere.
Africo grew up in Bare Root, Region 4. She attended Enterprise Nursery and Primary School and copped a spot at the Saint Stanislaus College after attaining 511 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment(NGSA). This meant that she would be the first female and second person in her village to attend Saint Stanislaus College.
At Saints, she flourished. Whether it was in the sports arena or in the classroom, her presence was felt. She participated in a wide range of extracurricular activities including; Chess, Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field, and her personal favorite — Hockey. But it was her excellent performance in academics that truly set her apart.
She sat for an astounding 26 subjects at the CSEC level, spanning Sciences, Arts, Business, Technical subjects, and two foreign languages — Spanish and French — both of which she passed with Grade Ones. In total, Blackman passed 25 subjects, which includes 12 Grade Ones, 10 Grade Twos, and 3 Grade Threes, earning her the title of Saint Stanislaus College Valedictorian 2024 and Best Physical Education Student of her graduating year.
Outstanding CSEC performer flyer for Africo Blackman (Photo Credit: Saint Stanislaus College/Facebook)
Africo started Sixth Form at Queen’s College where she is currently pursuing the CAPE Law Associate Degree. Blacman is also an International Field Hockey Athlete, her hockey journey started at Saint Stanislaus College where she played for the Saints Hockey Club (SHC) at various internal hockey tournaments within the country.
“I was a part of the SHC Women’s Venture Team which participated in the Ventures Invitational Indoor Hockey Tournament 2025 in Trinidad and I recently represented the country on the National Under 21 Girls Hockey Team in the Junior Pan American Challenge in Barbados where we got 3rd place (Bronze medal) — the first ever medal for a Guyanaese girls’ team at this tournament,” Blacman said.
Africo Blackman and her team
“I am delighted to be the Valedictorian of Saint Stanislaus College because it was one of my biggest goals,” she shared.
“Achieving it gave me the opportunity to inspire others, especially those from communities like mine, to dream big and stay committed no matter the circumstance,” Africo added.
Africo Blackman addressing the audience at Saint Stanislaus College graduation in 2024. (Photo Credit: Saint Stanislaus College/Facebook
Africo Blackman receiving an award at Saint Stanislaus College graduation in 2024. (Photo Credit: Saint Stanislaus College/Facebook)
However, her journey has not been without obstacles. The CSEC preparation period was one of the hardest times of her life.
“I faced a lot of challenges, both personally and academically. There were moments when I felt like giving up, but the support of my teachers, friends, and most importantly, my father, helped me to push through. He never stopped believing in me,” she mentioned.
Among her strongest pillars of support were her lesson teachers Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, Madame Esther Persico (French), Ms. Allyson Benn (Spanish), and close friends viz Tomika Wallace, Jekeia Watts, Akeelha Harding, and Olyesha Knights. She also credited several teachers at Saints for their guidance, including Mr. Robert Fernandes, Mr. Jemuel Parsram, Mr. Chris Krishnaram, Mr. Adelaja Dalrymple, and Mr. Emmanuel Narine.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue her studies in Law with a specialization in either Criminal or Maritime/Admiralty Law, while balancing her career as a student-athlete on the National Hockey Team. She also intends to venture into politics, driven by a passion to give back and shape a better future for the country.
Her message to younger students is both practical and powerful:
“Train your mind to be positive, since our thoughts can impact the physical world. Discipline and mindset are key. Work smarter, not harder. Small choices compound into big results, and self-reflection will keep you on track. As my teacher Sir Nikoli Major always says, ‘If you want it, you can have it — but you have to work for it.’”
Further, she stated: “Always assess your progress and make changes, if necessary, as you go along your journey. Ask yourself questions like, “Do I understand this topic well?” “What are my weak points?” “What can I change about my approach?”
Last Saturday, the community of Bare Root came together to celebrate Africo Blackman, unveiling a sign in her honor to recognize her remarkable accomplishments as well as to inspire future generations.
From Bare Root to brilliance, Africo is not only breaking barriers — she’s building a legacy.