FOR 17-year-old Kiara Annalisa Tyrell, living in the remote community of Sparta, Lima Sands, in Region Two was never going to determine how far she could go academically.
Her recent performance at CSEC has shown that with determination, sacrifice and the right support system, distance does not have to stand in the way of success.
Kiara completed 17 subjects, achieving results that surpassed even her own expectations.
Before the results were released, she had prepared herself for around eight Grade Ones, believing that the remaining subjects could result in Grade Twos or Threes. As the awards ceremony approached, she estimated that she may have earned 12 Grade Ones—what she thought would be enough to secure her place among the top performers.
When the actual results came, however, Kiara found herself pleasantly surprised.
Behind those results was a demanding routine that required discipline and sacrifice. Attending extra lessons often meant returning home late and giving up valuable hours of rest and recreation. For a student living in Lima Sands, travelling to night classes also presented an additional challenge.
But Kiara’s parents, Aubrey and Carmelita Tyrell, were determined that geography would not limit their daughter’s opportunities.
Her father works as an ambulance driver at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, while her mother is a cook at the Essequibo Technical Institute dormitory. Despite their own demanding schedules, both parents made the effort to ensure Kiara got to her lessons and remained focused on her studies.
Many evenings did not end when she arrived home from classes. There were still quizzes to prepare for, tests to study for and assignments to complete before the next school day.
Exhaustion was often part of the routine, but giving up was never an option.
Her parents played a major role in keeping her motivated. During trips to and from lessons, her father would encourage her with conversations about her future and remind her of the importance of staying focused. Her mother kept a close eye on her schoolwork and encouraged her to remain committed to her responsibilities.
Kiara also credits her headmaster for helping to keep her motivated. Through humour, encouragement and reminders about the opportunities that education can create, he helped students maintain their focus even when the pressure became difficult.
Today, the young scholar is already looking beyond her secondary school achievements.
Kiara hopes to become a doctor, inspired by her interest in science and her fascination with the human body. Her ultimate goal is to study medicine and use her profession to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Her immediate plan is to pursue CAPE at Anna Regina Secondary School, before continuing her medical studies at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus.
While celebrating her achievement, Kiara has not forgotten the people who helped make it possible. She expressed gratitude to her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and extra-class instructors, whose encouragement and guidance helped her remain on course.
She also acknowledged the Government’s free transportation service for students travelling from Lima Sands, saying the service has made it easier for students in the community to reach school and attend classes on time.
“Do not let your location determine your success” Tyrell said