– Cops 21 subjects at CSEC, including 18 grade ones

By Indrawattie Natram

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Shakira Bholo from the village of Cotton Field, Region Two, has done herself, family, school and region proud at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

The young lady secured 21 subjects at CSEC, 18 of which were grade ones, two grade twos and one grade three.

“I feel very happy, I knew I would have done well, but never expected to top my school. I cannot go on without mentioning and giving my success to God,” Bholo said when she was told of her results.

She added: “I thank God wholeheartedly, for his strength and his guidance throughout the examinations.”

The former Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary (ARMS) student, who wants to become an economist, said she was never a high flyer in her class, but always strove to do well.
Having graduated from C. V. Nunes Primary, Bholo related that she ended up in a class with brilliant students and learnt a lot from her classmates during her time at secondary school.

Her parents Carlos and Marian Bholo, were super excited about their daughter’s achievement.

They said although Bholo came from humble beginnings, she managed to make her home circle proud and took the opportunity to thank the hard-working teachers at Anna Regina Multilateral for the patience and time spent with their daughter.

Another Anna Regina Multilateral student, Camecia De La Cruz, also from Cotton Field, said she aims to become a surgeon with a focus on tackling cancer.

La Cruz said throughout the examinations she was determined and remained focus. Placing second in the region, the young lady gained 17 grade ones, two grade twos and one grade three at the examinations.

Her success came through many long hours of late-night studies and she thanked her dedicated teachers and parents for their support.

Begum Baksh, another top performer from Region Two who secured 15 grade ones and two grade twos, said she was elated.

Baksh, also a student of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS), thanked her parents and teachers for their support which was instrumental in her success.
“I had studies late in the nights, I did my researches and I was focused, I also had my mother’s guidance which led me through. I must say also I had distanced myself from social media and focused on my studies” said Baksh, who wants to become an entrepreneur.

Her mother Nanda Baksh of Sparta Village, said she has always admired her daughter’s dedication towards her studies.

Anna Regina Multilateral headteacher Lalljeet Rooplall said he was happy the school has maintained its proud tradition of doing well as the CSEC examination.

He congratulated his hard-working and dedicated teachers for a job well done.

“As educators, it’s our motto to ensure our children excel at any examinations. We at ARMS are very proud of the examinations and we have seen a significant improvement this year, especially in English and Mathematics,” the headteacher said.

Other Region Two top performers include Vishal Narine and Alexander Westford of the Anna Regina Secondary School and Lariel Narain from Abram Zuil Secondary School. Vishal Narine obtained 14 grade ones and one grade two, while Westford scored 12 grade ones and three grade twos. Narain of Abram Zuil Secondary School secured 12 grade ones, three grade twos and one grade three.