City School Teenager Alison E.Viegas Selected Goodwill Ambassador to France
by Anita Cordeiro
Member of Mangalore Toastmasters Club
Mangalore, Mar 5: On February 26, 2007, Mangalore made another entry into its long record of achievements. Alison E.Viegas, daughter of Ernest and Matilda Viegas of Falnir, was selected to be the Ambassador of Goodwill to France.
As the saying goes, hard work does pay. Alison participated in the Indo France Quiz contest online on the October 15, 2006. The quiz is conducted by the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Embassy of France in India and the Indo French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research.
Alison as Brutus on the stage
The quiz was no big deal, for the mental mantle of Alison is geared for any type of quiz. She was short listed for the finals to be held at Delhi. At Delhi, it was three days of selection. The rounds consisted of a performance, highlighting the talents of the candidates, a written quiz and a personal interview.
For the performance round, Alison stunned the audience with a powerful presentation of the character of Brutus, from the Shakespearean play 'Julius Caesar'.
Alison receiving the Winner's Certificate from the Ambassador of France to India, Dominique Girard.
Alison Viegas, a std. X student from St. Mary's Composite P.U. College, Falnir, is a multi-faceted personality. She has developed a keen interest in quiz from Std. 3 and has participated and won in various quiz competitions conducted by the department of Education and other agencies.
She was one of the trio along with Shweta S and Sherlyn Menezes, her classmates, who topped the State Level Helpage India Quiz, held at Bangalore and represented the state at the Regional Level at Hyderabad. She is a member of the Karnataka Quizzing Association.
This serious-looking, lanky youngster has other interests too. She is a good orator and has participated in several Elocution competitions. In the Elocution Competition conducted by the Central Excise Commission during 2005-'06, she bagged the first place. In the National Digital Elocution competition conducted by Retimer Web World, she went up to the semi final stage.
Alison with the other seven elected candidates
She does seem to be a personality with talents galore - she is an ace Table Tennis player and has represented up to the State level in the junior category.
Writing is another hobby she cherishes, and has written a large number of essays, as well as poems and short stories. But literature and science are her passions, while soothing music is not forgotten.
At School, Alison again tops the list of high scorers with her above average performance. She is a merit student and also takes up leadership in her stride. Alison's parents, especially her mother Matilda Viegas is the source of motivation for Alison. Rendering all help, irrespective of the time, cost or trouble it would mean, Matilda has put her best foot forward to inspire and encourage Alison in all her interests. Ernest Viegas, a silent supporter, is there for his daughter at all times like a pillar of strength.
At Delhi, Alison says meeting the other candidates from all over the country, seemed a bit intimidating, but then the friendliness exuberated by all dismissed all fears. It was an overwhelming moment for her to meet ambassador Dominique Girard of France to India and receive her winner's certificate.
Alison has a lot to undertake. Soon after her Board exams, she has to prepare for the tour to France, along with learning the French language. When asked what message she would like to convey from Mangalore to France, she says, she would like to highlight on the cultural aspect. She is aware that France is also a developing country and feels the ties between the two countries could help in the mutual development of these countries.
Alison comes from a family of scholars and intellectuals, yet none have achieved as much as Alison at such a young age. She definitely has miles to go………..