She is $300,000 richer and enjoys new found fame. What now? This must be the question in the mind of the Star Guyana TV Reality Show winner Lisa Punch.
An intelligent and talented student of the North Georgetown Secondary School , she packs a hefty punch in the areas of dance, drama, and singing.
With a competitive spirit and ‘wanting to be on top' attitude, Punch packed away her opponents at every segment of the Star Guyana Show to cart off the cash prize and other lucrative rewards.
Now she worries that though the show has made a major positive impact amongst Guyanese, and even some abroad, everything has come to an abrupt standstill.
She is moved by the fame and the attention of all Guyana , but this little damsel aims higher. Recording studios and would-be managers are all seeking to have the new voice recorded.
“Inside of me there is a cry; a cry not for fame and popularity, but for something to be done for the arts —- drama, dance, and music in Guyana . I want to see Corporate Guyana doing something for us.
“Yes we love the TV interviews, newspaper coverage, and the entire blitz that comes with stardom. Why does it have to be so hard?
Those with the resources have turned a deaf ear to us. We need your help to make Guyana proud.”
Lisa Punch made this plea on behalf of every young, talented Guyanese. She said she had hoped to hit home into the minds and hearts of the business sector for much-needed sponsorship to up the level of dance, drama, and music in Guyana .
Well, life has returned to normal, and Lisa is now focused on academics and church. However, she related that she still hopes for a special fund to be created to enhance and develop the many talents in Guyana , which so many times go wasted.
Lisa dreams of being Guyana 's Whitney Houston, taking her superb voice and her country's flag to an international level. But these dreams may never become a reality, since ‘everything takes money'.
“I want to explode on the international scene, and I sincerely wish that for every Guyanese. However, my parents are poor, like so many other parents with talented kids.
“I would love to wake up one morning to a new horizon, where there are free training schools for talented youngsters like me; or to rise at the dawn, when there are recording studios that are more concerned about upping our talent than the cash.
“Of course I long for the day when Guyana will implement copyright laws, too”.
From the start of the Star Guyana competition, the sometimes saucy lass dominated the show, pushing her fantastic vocal abilities to the limit.
When some thought she was finished, she upped her act in the area of dance, executing technical moves that were comparable to accomplished gymnasts. Her drama act was a ‘blow away' piece showing characters from the popular ‘African Mood' TV series. Keen on taking the crown, she mixed a surprising teenage allure with a touch of suave to bring glitter and excitement to her performances.
Normally a shy and secluded individual, Lisa transforms into a sultry teenage diva the moment she hits the stage.
Never forgetting to mention the support of her parents and other relatives, she said she is surrounded by bundles of joy and love almost all the time.
She will soon attempt ten subjects at the CXC level, and vows to come out with flying colours. (Alex Wayne)