TOP PERFORMERS of the ISA Islamic Academy located at East Street, Georgetown at this year’s Caribbean Examinations Council (CSEC) are Aaidah Bacchus and Aliyah Khadija Yussuf.
The humble and quiet-spirited Aaidah Bacchus, who was at her home yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that she is most thankful to Allah for the achievement despite hardships she managed to stay ahead of many others and secured a spot in the group of top performers at this year’s CSEC.
Bacchus attained 12 Grade Twos and 2 Grade Twos among 175 candidates and was very pleased at her results while she chatted with this newspaper yesterday.
She however, has mixed feelings and at the same time she was excited having received the news of her results at CSEC while trying to maintain her composure.
Bacchus told the Guyana Chronicle that it was not always easy for her in high school because her brother passed away and three days before she completed sitting the CSEC exams her father succumbed.
She noted that it was most difficult but she however, managed to maintain her focus and with the support of her mother, siblings and others, she knew she had to push forward since much was expected of her.
The teenager said that her father always encouraged her to do well at school and she did it thanks to his continuous support while he was alive.
She recalled that the day she was sitting Chemistry examination, her biggest challenge, her dad telephoned her to say she can do it and with that she knew she could not let him down and today she is proud of her achievement.
Although she took extra lessons for several subjects Bacchus said that it was her discipline and dedication to her studies she made it this far and was also in high praise for her teachers at ISA Islamic Academy.
Bacchus said that after her brother passed away, it took a toll on her father, who was ailing, as it did to her family members also but her mother was there to support her and so she continued her studies late into the nights and today it did pay off quite well.
Being in the spotlight of the top performers, Bacchus said it did not come as a surprise to her because she always did exceptionally well in school.
She will be attending School of the Nations where she will pursue her ‘A- Levels before going off to take up the challenge of being a medical doctor, a profession she wanted so that she can serve the people of Guyana.
Bacchus explained that her achievement today is just an example for her siblings to also follow and she was also thankful to her uncle who was her mentor.
She attended ISA Islamic Academy since pre-school age and although she secured a place at Queens College at CXC she remained at the said school because she felt comfortable there and knew it was the place for her.
Her mother, who was so happy yesterday was in tears at her daughter’s achievement and said that the teen was also the one who was consistent in marinating good grades at school and it was her determination to succeed that made her so accomplished.
Meanwhile, her cousin, Aliyah Khadija Yussuf, who secured 12 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Three, was elated yesterday having received the good news an hour after it was announced via facebook.
Yussuf, who was with her parents at their city store in Cummings Street, Georgetown yesterday afternoon told the Guyana Chronicle that she will pursue studies in medicine since she is desirous of becoming a Pediatrics and is undecided whether she will remain here in Guyana to study or go abroad but for now she was contended with her performance at CSEC.
The smiling 16-year-old said that it was not easy and took a lot of hard work, dedication and extra lessons and also thanked her parents for their continuous support.
She was also grateful to Sir George from Queenstown, Georgetown, whose lessons she attended and the teachers at ISA Islamic Academy.
She was very pleased as she accepted the congratulations from her parents and others yesterday while being interviewed but attributed her achievement on hard work and commitment in securing a place among the top performers of CSEC.