–and lots of sacrifice

QUEEN’s College (QC) emerged the top Guyanese learning institution that fielded students at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, with ELISA HAMILTON copping 19 Grade One and one Grade Two passes.

But there were 14 other schools that shared outstanding honours with Queen’s College, among them Skeldon Line Path Secondary, JC Chandisingh Secondary, Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary and St. Stanislaus College.

The Guyana Chronicle caught up with some of those top students, all of whom credited their success to hard work, dedication and sacrifice.

The top student is currently abroad; but the second placed student, BHARTI BHOGE from Skeldon Line Path Secondary, who secured 17 Grade One passes, had this to say: “It feels surreal; I am not sure what I will do next. Science has always been my area of interest, so my next step will be in that field. I owe my success to many sleepless nights and hard work. For students who will be writing the exams next year, my advice would be to keep an open mind and apply yourself in the exams, and everything should be fine.”

LARISSA WILTSHIRE, another QC student, secured 17 Grade Ones, and was the third most successful student at this year’s examinations. The Guyana Chronicle was unable to contact her, as she, too, is currently abroad.

In fourth place is TRESSIYA KETWAROO of Skeldon Line Path Secondary, who secured 16 Grade One and one Grade Two passes.

She said, “The preparation was alright. I didn’t focus too much on the exam; I did a lot of studying. I found it hard to study, though, and I would only study when my mom was awake, so she would have to wake up with me every night to study, and I must thank her. I have not decided on my next move, but I am thinking about going to UG and pursuing something in the medical field. I would recommend that those sitting the exam next year just relax and not think about the future too much. This is because once they apply themselves, they will reap the benefits. I wish them well, and hope they exceed our scores.”
Fifth-place student is LISA JOHN, also of QC. She secured 16 Grade One and one Grade Two passes. She said: “I kind of expected this result ‘cause you have to be positive all the time. It’s a lot of hard work. I didn’t go (to) too (many) lessons, but I went to some and it helped a lot; teachers and parents and friends supported too. That’s what you need while working hard. Putting God first, too, is necessary. The late nights and studying and keeping up with church and school. You have to manage yourself. I had to give up entertainment and some of my social life. I want to be an

economist. Put God first, work hard and the rest will come.”

Sixth-place student is WALICA DEOKINANNAN from the Saraswati Vidya Niketan. She obtained 15 grade one and two grade two passes. She said, “It was quite challenging and tough for me, but I made it. It is pressuring though, and requires a lot of work and dedication; but it will pay off in the end. You actually see results for the hard work. I have started CAPE, and I want to pursue a career in Chemistry. I would tell those writing next year that even though the road seems tough, put your mind to it and it will be rewarding.”

Seventh place student, VARSHA BOODRAM from QC, obtained 15 grade one and two grade two passes.
She told the Guyana Chronicle that though it was a rough year for her, her efforts paid off and she is content with her achievements. She said, “Well, when I applied to do 17 subjects, it was quite a challenge, because almost every day it was lessons, then home and study. So I had it rough for practically a year, but I can say that the hard work paid off and it was great success. I’ll be going back to school to do CAPE, and I wish to pursue Medicine. If I can do it, they can do it too, and I pray that they as well work hard and focus on what they’re about to do; and, of course, put God first.”

From JC Chandisingh Secondary, NATASHA ALLADIN, who placed eighth in the country with 15 grade one passes, was unfortunately unavailable for comment.

At ninth place is ALIYYAH ABDUL KADIR, also from QC, who told this newspaper that her aspirations to become a lawyer drove her to work hard. She secured 15 grade one passes.
She said, “I would like to be a lawyer, so the next move is Bishops’ High School to do CAPE. Of course it was a struggle, but in order to do well you have to work hard; but it will pay off in the end. I had to sacrifice a lot of things, like music and social media, especially Facebook, and spend your nights studying (and) waking up early in the mornings to attend lessons. So it’s really hard, but it pays off in the end. I would advise that if you want to do well, you have to put in the effort before. It’s going to be difficult at first, but in order for you to succeed and be as happy as I am, you have to work hard.”

Another QC student, SARAH HACK, who placed 10th in the country with 14 grade one and two grade two passes, said her success was a result of hard work under “intense” pressure. She said, “It was intense pressure regarding the SBAs (school-based assessments) and I endured many sleepless nights completing them while also studying. But in the end it all paid off. I’m very grateful to everyone who supported (me) in any way — God, my parents, teachers, and close friends who also excelled. I’ll be taking the SATs later this year, and hoping to begin (studying) Medicine next year. I might also do A-levels, but I’m still thinking about it.
My advice for other students is if you want to succeed, firstly they need to possess a persevering, determined, relentless attitude. And you’ll be challenged in every possible way. It’s important to remember never to give up, and to just give it your best shot. Do your best and stay humble; and, more importantly, don’t forget those who helped you to get there.”

SASKIA KHALIL from QC obtained 14 grade one passes. She said, “I’m truly elated (at) my success. Heartfelt thanks are extended to my mom, my two supportive brothers, my best friends, and my intelligent teachers. My next step is to pursue a degree in Economics. I well also like to say congratulations to the other students. I hope they never give up, and that they strive to do good things.”

In 12th place is BIBI AREEFA MOHAMED from Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, who obtained 13 grade one and six two passes.

She said, “The fact that I did well is good. It was not easy; it was a lot of hard work and effort. Sometimes you are stressed out, but with the support of my parents and teachers, all who went the extra mile with me, I was able to do well.”

FARIDA YUSSUF, also from Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, placed 13th in the country with 13 grade one and three grade two subjects. She said, “I am overjoyed that my hard work paid (off). I am also glad that I was able to make my parents proud. It was a lot of hard work, but I found that you had to balance work and rest.”

In 14th place was KRYSTAL LEE from St. Stanislaus College, who copped 13 grade one and two two subjects. She said, “My mom told me the news, and for a moment I froze. Words couldn’t describe how I felt. It was a pleasant feeling. I always wanted to see the name of my school in the papers, and today I lived that dream!

“I had to say thanks to the Almighty, who has always been my guidance and my listener; and to my hard working mother, Dawne Waithe, this was all for her. She is my biggest motivation and she made it possible! To the teachers that worked with me to the end, I owe it all to them; and my supportive friends, this is their success too.

“My many sleepless nights and going the extra mile surely paid off, and no feeling is better than success after hard work. I’m a very proud student of the St Stanislaus College, and hearty congratulations to the other top performers at CSEC.”

Closing the top 15 performers is SHAUNELLE THOMAS from QC, with 13 grade one and two grade two passes. She said, “Well, I must say it took a lot of hard work, good habits, sacrifice, setting of goals, some failures to motivate me, and persistence. As for me, 15 subjects was a bit of a challenge, but I took it on. My parents, siblings and others had my back; and teachers, especially the principal, Mr. Hardyal, and Ms. Blenman motivated me.

“Additionally, I chose the right set of friends e.g. Elisa, Theresa, Jenelle and others, who motivated me and encouraged me to strive for the best. I had to miss some guitar lessons in order to focus more on CSEC, so it was a sacrifice.”

Some 52 students secured 11 and more grade one passes at this year’s exams. In total, there were 77,361 subject entries from 13,724 students, of which 8,837 were female and 4,887 were male.

Additionally, the analysis of the overall pass rate was pegged at 60.21 per cent for passes from grade one to three at the CSEC examinations for 2014.(Additional reporting by Sandy Agasen)

(By Ravin Singh)