THE second position in the country at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams went to Jessica Anthony, Queen’s College student and daughter of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Frank Anthony who gained 14 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos garnering her top position at her school. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Jessica noted that when she got the news of her stellar performance, she was very happy and excited. She said while she’s very much satisfied with her performance, she’s also very curious as to what subjects she obtained the grade two’s in. She extended gratitude to her

parents, as well as her teachers at Queen’s College, for their guidance and support. According to the aspiring cardiologist, her next step is to pursue studies in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE).
Jennel Cadogan, also of Queen’s College, scored 13 grade ones and 2 grade two’s, earning her the third position in the country. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Jennel noted that her reaction when learning about her performance was an emotional one. She noted that her two brothers were both valedictorians at Saint Joseph High School, an as such, they set the bar very high for her.
She credited her performance to many late nights and early mornings studying, and also noted that she did a lot of reading. Jennel expressed thanks to God, her parents, two brothers, and all of her teachers at Queen’s College, all of whom contributed to her success.
Another outstanding performer at this year’s CSEC exams was Benedict Sukra of Queen’s College, who gained sixth position with 12 grade ones and 2 grade two’s. Speaking to this newspaper from his mother’s Boutique in Kingston, the aspiring cardiologist noted that about a month prior to his exams, he began revising his notes and perusing his text books. He attended extra lessons for about six of his 14 subjects.
Also present for the interview was Benedict’s mother, who noted that she relocated the family to Georgetown from Berbice, in order to facilitate her son’s studies at Queen’s College. Benedict expressed gratitude to his parents, all of his teachers, as well as his friends who supported him on his journey to success. He noted that he intends to pursue studies at the 6th form level either at Queen’s college or School of the Nations.
The eighth position at this year’s CSEC exams was shared by Vishwati Oudram and Safeya Baksh of Saraswati Vidya Nikitan High school and Queen’s College respectively. Both students gained 12 grade ones and 1 grade two. Safeya Baksh in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle noted that she learnt of her results via the Demerara Waves Website, after her friend told her about it. She said that she was very surprised with her results, as she didn’t do much studying. Safeya stressed on the fact that a lot of praying was done by herself, as well as her grandmother, both prior to and during her exams.
She noted that she commenced studying a mere week before her exams, and expressed thanks to her parents, grandmother, and all of her teachers of Queen’s College for their guidance and support. Safeya hopes to further her studies at CAPE.
Keshant Samaroo of Queen’s College shared nineth position with Khadija Yussuff of the ISA Islamic Academy. Both students earned 12 grade ones and 1 grade three at the CSEC exams. Keshant told this newspaper that his aunt called and told him that he had performed exceedingly well, and suggested that he check the Demerara Waves website. He noted that he was very shocked by his results, as he was expecting a lot of grade two’s. According to Keshant, he only commenced studying a week prior to his exams. The young man noted that he gave up going to Gym, in order to focus more on his studies. He also said that his School Based Assessments (SBA’s) were very challenging, and he even spent a week by a friend completing them. Keshant noted that he was very grateful to God, his parents, as well as his many teachers from Queen’s College for all of their guidance and support.
Sharing tenth position in the country were Khemraj Rupee, Kady Singh and Kerri Yan of Queen’s college, Mae’s Secondary and Marian Academy respectively. Khemraj Rupee told the Guyana Chronicle that when he saw his results on the Demerara Waves website, he thought he was dreaming. The young man did not expect to gain knowledge of his results so soon. He noted that he would sleep and wake up early in the morning to study.
The Queen’s College student noted that he participated in the West Indies under 15 tournament last year as a wicketer/ batsman. He soon realised that his involvement in the sport was hindering his academic performance; an as such he was forced to give it up. The young man expressed gratitude to God, his parents, brother, and his teachers at Queen’s College. He urged the students who will sit the exam next year, to only take lessons for the subject areas in which they are weak. He also said that they should have a fixed studying schedule, have faith in God and get their SBA’s done on time.
Kerri Yan of Marian Academy told this newspaper that she was very elated when she received the news of her stellar performance via the Demerara Waves Website. The young lady noted that she would wake up very early in the morning to study, and urged the students who will be sitting the exams next year to do the same, as this is when the place is very quiet. Kerri said that her success would not have been possible if it weren’t for God, her parents, as well as her teachers. She hopes to pursue studies in the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT’s).