Essequibo student cops 16 ones at CSEC

By Vahnu Manikchand and Tiffany Bowen

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Hack of Golden Fleece Estate, Essequibo Coast, and former student of the Abrams Zuil Secondary School, has done her parents, teachers and her region proud, by securing 16 grade ones at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Though the national top student will be determined by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and is done based on the variety of subjects sat at the examinations, among other requirements, Hack could emerge as the country’s top student. Jessica Anthony of Queen’s College secured 14 grade ones and two grade twos, and from all indications, is in the race with Hack for the top student position.
Hack credited her success to extra lessons and burning the midnight oil, doing revision and working past examination papers.
The young lady thanked God, her parents and teachers for their support in making her achievement possible. “I must thank Almighty Allah for his blessings, my parents and all the well wishers who motivated me and gave me the support I needed as a child”
Hack said she loves Mathematics but is yet to decide on a career path. Most likely, she said it would be in the area of art or science, and she would be furthering her studies at the University of Guyana.
Her parents Nazmoon and Shareeda Hack, who own the Golden Fleece Rice Mill, said they are proud of their daughter’s success, pointing out that she was always disciplined and did well in her examinations.
The young lady, who was an active participant in school activities, is urging students to balance their studies with recreation, and set high standards.
Jessica Anthony, the eldest daughter of Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony said she was ecstatic about her achievement. The young lady told Guyana Times International that the results did not completely surprise her as she was expecting to do well.
The teenager said that preparing for exams was a struggle, something she was sure everyone at Queen’s College would attest to.
“We went through a lot and I had a lot of subjects to study for, so it was quite a task, but I am glad that it all paid off in the end. The actual studying was not that hard and I didn’t do too much out of my way to study for the exams, but doing the SBAs for all the subjects was crazy,” she said.
Anthony, who also topped the country at the 2007 National Grade Six Assessment, said that she is very happy that she was able keep up her success. She indicated that her next move would be to sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and pursue a career in medicine.
She thanked her family, teachers and friends, noting that without their support, her success would have been impossible.
The young Anthony disclosed that prior to her exams; she had to give up her favourite hobby, dancing, but will be taking it up again soon.
Jennel Cadogan, also of Queen’s College, secured the third position in the country with 13 grade ones and two grade twos. She told this publication that she will settle for an Apple iPod, as a reward.
The shy but confident sixteen-year-old told this publication that the sky will always remain the limit when it comes to success.
According to Cadogan, her older brother informed her of the good news on Friday, but she did not believe until she saw it herself.
“When I saw it on the Internet, I started to cry and my mother started to scream out; we were all excited and taken over with tears of joy. I knew I would have done excellent, but gaining the third position is unbelievable,” said the bubbling teen.
The young lady recalled staying up late at night reading text books, and would until daylight. But according to her, it all paid off and all her sacrifices did not go down in vain.
The QC student, who said she is “active when necessary”, will be going to Bishops’ High to do CAPE.
Deowattie Narine, 16, of Parika and Bishops’ High, who secured the fourth position in Guyana, said her dedication and hard work was the main contributing factor to her success.
The teenager, who intends to do CAPE in September, credited her triumph to her teachers, loving parents and close friends.
Upon receiving the good news of her achievement, Narine who was home, started to scream. So loud was her shout, her mother who was in another part of the house thought bandits had pounced on the family.
It was only minutes after Narine’s mother realised what was happening, she too started to scream, before congratulating her daughter.
The soft-spoken Narine described herself as a “highflyer” who is disciplined, outgoing and enjoys playing cricket. She gained 13 grade ones at the examinations.
Her classmate and close friend Kaleshwar Singh secured the fifth position in the country.
Singh, who had to give up playing video games, also told a story of burning the midnight oil in order to achieve his 13 grade ones passes.
The sixteen-year-old, who said he learnt of his success via the social network, Facebook, related that he was neither surprised, nor taken back with his grades.
“I knew I was going to do well, I am a very disciplined student who is self-motivated and focused.” The teen posited that Mathematics was the only subject which gave him discomfort, but he managed to prevail.
“I am a shy individual; however, I am a down-to-earth guy who enjoys reading, listening to hip hop music and chatting with my friends on Facebook.”
Singh expressed appreciation to his teachers, family and friends who supported him throughout his preparation for the examination.
Like his friend, Narine, he too will be going back to Bishops’ High to do CAPE. Upon conclusion of the interview, Singh highlighted that his parents rewarded him with a trip to the United States for the summer, but he opted to travel for the Christmas Holidays, a decision they had no objection to.
According to Meikel Mahabir of West Demerara Secondary School and Good Intent Village, West Demerara, the examination was quite challenging.
He added that he was able to hold confidence in himself and remain centred. Questioned about his reaction after becoming aware of his success, Mahabir said he was not surprised.
“I receive the good news from my friend who called me, at first; I was in disbelief, although I know I did my best. It was shocking, so checked it for myself and after seeing it for myself, I still did not believe.” Mahabir said he too burned the midnight oil, limiting himself from his daily activities, while devoting his service to church. His support came from his class teachers, family and close friends, and most importantly God. Further, the very competitive chess player noted that cutting back on his “fun time” did not affect him much. Come the next academic year, he hopes to attend the University of Guyana to read for a degree in medicine.
“I always wanted to study medicine because my main objective in life is to help people. Whatever I do is always in praise to God.” He said mechanical engineering and mechanical technology gave him some challenge, but he did not allow it to conquer him.
He advised his peers who will be sitting the examination next year to remain focused, study hard and embrace God.
Coming in at number seven was Bibi Ameena Nazaralie of the Saraswati Vidya Nikitan, West Coast Demerara, who is currently on work study at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate. She was speechless when she was told that she had acquired 13 grade ones.
The teen said that she is very elated to know that she was placed among the country’s top 10. The young lady said that while she was expecting to do well, to acquire a place in the country’s top 10 was beyond her expectation. Nazaralie said that the examinations were not that difficult since most of the things she revised and was taught, came. She said that prior to her exams, she would stay up late to study and had to give up television.
Number nine, Benedict Sukra of Queens College, who gained 12 grade ones and two grade twos, said he first got the news from a friend, and is proud of his achievement.
Securing the tenth spot is 16-year-old Roshelle Sparman of Mackenzie High School, Linden, who gained 12 grade ones, one grade two and one grade three.
When this publication, contacted the Sparman family of Amelia’s Ward, the teenager was unavailable to give a comment as she was at camp.
However, her father Colin Sparman told this newspaper that it feels great to know that his daughter has made such an achievement. He noted that he was expecting her to do well as she was a hard worker in school. “We knew she would be placed in the top set,” he said.
The proud father said that his daughter was very active in extra-curricular activities. He also revealed that the teenager wants to become a lawyer and he fully supports her.