–scoring 12 subjects at CSEC

MACKENZIE High School (MHS) literally came out swinging at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examinations, with several of its students among the top ten performers in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Doing the Region particularly proud are top student Gabrielle Prudence, who secured a total of 12 subjects, nine of them Grade Ones, two Grade Twos, and one Grade Three, and Tonesia Jacobis, also of MHS, who came a close second with 11 passes, nine of them Grade Ones and two Grade Twos as well.

But whereas Jacobis secured the second highest spot for MHS, Prudence secured the overall top spot for the entire Region, as she wrote an extra subject, Theatre Arts, at the Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) and secured another Grade One, as the subject was not offered at MHS.

When contacted by the Guyana Chronicle to find out how she felt about her outstanding performance, Prudence could scarcely contain herself.

“I am speechless! Flabbergasted! I am extremely proud of myself,” she said, as she reflected on the many sacrifices: The long nights of studying, and the daily battle to get up early in the mornings, not to mention the pressure to stay ahead of the game, which at the time seemed never ending.

“Waking up early in the mornings really affected me throughout the day,” she readily admitted, adding: “My mother put a lot of pressure on me; it was quite a difficult task, but I’m happy it all paid off.”

The aspiring Corporate Lawyer, who will be pursuing Advanced Law at the Bishops’ High School in Georgetown, said that one of the stress relievers for her throughout her studies was her pursuit of Theatre Arts, even though it was not offered at her school, as it gave her the opportunity to be qualified in something she loved dearly. The young achiever, who desires to take up theatre as a supplementary job, would like to advise other students to ensure they balance their time and not compromise what was set out for studying and school assignments. She said that while it may be challenging, she would encourage them to stay focused, as success will be right ahead.

Business student, Tonesia Jacobis’ aim was not only to do well, but to be among the top performers in the region, since her older siblings did the same. In 2017, her brother was the top student at MHS, and her sister also acquired a top position a few years prior. Some of the subjects she got Grade Ones in are Economics, Integrated Science, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, English Language and Office Administration. The aspiring Economist, who is still in shock at her performance, will be pursuing CAPE at MHS. She also described the preparation process as challenging. “I was determined to do well,” she said, “so I had to give up a lot of recreation and push in the work.” She would like to thank her family, especially her mother, Rayann Jacobis, who she said stood by her throughout the entire journey.

Acquiring seven Grade Ones was Shanea Ross, also of MHS. She gained 11 subjects in all. An overwhelmed Ross said she felt it in her spirit that she would have gotten seven Ones, and while she didn’t expect any Grade Threes, she said, “I am still thankful, and to God be the glory.” She thanked her MHS teachers for the integral role they played in ensuring she was successful, as well as her family and friends. Like Prudence, she, too, aspires to become a lawyer, and will be pursuing CAPE Law at MHS. She said that the preparation process was not as stressful for her as it was for her other colleagues, because she took it one step at a time. And that’s her advice to students now preparing to write CSEC.
Other students who performed well in Region Ten include Tahj Bascom, who secured six Grade Ones; Te-Nu-Sal Headley of CWSS, who also acquired six Grade Ones; and Dexter Pellew of MHS, who acquired five Grade Ones.