Two boys, Ramesh Ghir and Michael Bhopaul tied for the top position in this year’s National Grade Six Assessment, following on the success of Linden boy, Teron Alleyne last year. The 2010 and 2009 respective top scorers were girls: Sonia Ghir and Larissa Wiltshire.
Ramesh Ghir,
Mae’s Under 12
When Stabroek News contacted him last evening, young Ramesh Ghir, who has followed in the footsteps of his sister who topped the country two years ago, said he “honestly didn’t expect it because I made a few errors in the English”. He would like to also follow in the footsteps of his father Ramesh Ghir and become the Chief Executive Office (CEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. He attributed his success to God, his family and teachers especially Wilfred Success his lessons teacher. The elder Ghir was also excited. He said that “it came as a surprise”, but noted that he watched how hard his son worked, many hours into the night. He described it as “a significant achievement for the family” noting that joining his big sister at Queen’s College is what would make it even more special.
Michael Bhopaul,
Graham’s Hall
Primary
Michael declared that he was “feeling fantastic”. Noting that he studied very hard to get to this place, he said, “I would credit my success to my parents and Miss Bagwandin who always pushed us to work hard.” He said he worked hard on his favourite subject, which is Science. “I love children so when I grow up I want to become a Paediatrician,” said.
Rawletta Barrow,
Success Elementary
Rawletta described her feelings as “ecstatic, just wonderful and sometimes out of breath”. She said she had to study really hard and make a lot of sacrifices “like giving up my favourite hobbies like watching television”. I just had to work extremely hard, she said, adding, “I feel amazing”.
Angel Moonilall,
Success Elementary
“I worked extremely hard and cooperated with my parents and teachers,” Angel said. “I would like to give thanks to God, without whom I would not have been here; my parents for pushing me to achieve the highest.” Angel said she was very excited to know to be in the top ten. She extended “hearty thanks to Sir Wilfred Success who pushed me all the way”. Angel said she studied the hardest for Science and Social Studies as she hopes to become a Forensic Scientist and a DNA Analyst.
Ashandai Liverpool,
Tucville Primary
Twelve-year-old Ashandai earned for herself the sixth position in the country which was shared with one other student. They each scored 542 marks. Laughing uncontrollably with overwhelming excitement, they aspiring lawyer exclaimed, “I worked extremely hard and it finally paid off.” She thanked God, her grandmother, parents and teachers.
Roshawn
Cummings, Success
Elementary
“I would like to thank everyone associated with my success especially my mom and Sir Success who pushed me,” Roshawn said. He said he was very happy “I got Queen’s College because I always wanted to go there.” Roshawn said his family was his biggest motivator. “Right now words cannot express how I feel,” he said. “I love Science and hope to become a Heart Surgeon in the future because I want to save a lot of lives.”
Isaiah Carter,
Success Elementary
Isaiah, in a brief telephone interview with Stabroek News last night, said that his success came after extremely intense studies and sacrifices. “I had to sacrifice television and video games,” he said. To students who will be writing the examinations next year, the young Carter advises: “aim for the stars and try to achieve higher grades.”
Ria Khan,
Success Elementary
Ria said she was very happy to get Queen’s College. “Preparation for my exams was very simple because I am always an A-grader so I didn’t have to do much more studying than usual.” Ria said she expected to do well and “I am satisfied with my results.”
Farah Chin,
Marian Academy
A very shy Farah told Stabroek News that she heard of her success on the news. “I felt relieved,” she said adding that she had been wondering for some time what school she had gotten. She said while she is happy about her success she doubts she will be attending the country’s top secondary school – Queen’s College. The aspiring to be an architect and only child said that her parents and her teachers always encouraged her. She noted that while preparing her exam she did not attend any extra lessons but had afternoon classes with her teacher Sir Steven Gonsalves.
Sarah Garrido, Green Acres Primary
An excited Sarah said that she was not too confident as she “made silly mistakes” during the exam. She said she could have done better than the 15th spot she gained if those mistakes were not made. The 11-year-old said that when she found out that she was among the top students, she was immediately overcome with joy. She said she always wanted to attend Queen’s College. She aspires to be a pilot as she always wanted to be in the aviation industry. She explained to this newspaper that her father is a fight dispatcher and “I want to go a step further than my father”. God, family, friends and her teachers were behind her success.
Joshua Mortley, Success Elementary
Joshua, who shared the 18th position with 3 other students, gaining 538 marks, said: “I was shocked and nervous but I knew I would do well”. He said studies were hard. “I had to give up karate but it was that sport that gave me discipline to wake up and study hard and keep my focus,” he added.
Ruel Sookdeo, Success Elementary
Ruel, who is also in the 18th position, said: “Gosh! That exam was hard! I am now in shock but thrilled.” The excited child said that while he has secured a place at QC, “my father and brothers want me to attend The Bishops’ High School instead. They feel the discipline there is better. So off to Bishops I go!”
Latonya Darrell, New Guyana School
12-year-old Latonya Darrell also shared the 18th position. The soft-spoken student said that while the examination was somewhat challenging, she remained committed to her goal of excellence. Overwhelmed with joy, she said she studied hard, prayed to God and was confident that she would have done well. She also credited her success to attending extra lessons sessions taught by Mr Success, her class teacher and parents.
Sydney Fraser, New Guyana School
Sydney was one of 10 students in the 22nd spot with 537 marks. In a telephone interview with Stabroek News last evening, she could not contain her excitement upon being told the good news of her success. The 11-year-old said she worked extremely hard to achieve success. To students writing the examination next year, she emphasized the importance of hard work and sacrifice as key ingredients to their success.
Jeevan Dalip, Mae’s Under 12
Jeevan also gained 537 marks and was pleased and excited at the news.
In a telephone interview, the 11-year-old said he had worked hard. Jeevan said that while he is not sure about what he wants to become, he is thinking about the career path of a doctor.
Cheri Frank, School of the Nations
Cheri, an aspiring pediatrician or veterinarian said that it was her lessons teacher who delivered the good news. She said that she is still in shock adding that she did not envision that she would have done so well. She said none of the subject areas were difficult. Cheri said she loves children and animals and her desired choice of profession would be made around either one of them. Asked if she will be returning to Nations or taking up her spot at Queen’s Frank said that she will be attending QC. God, her parents, elder sister and teachers all played a part in her success.
Jelena Arjune, Green Acres Primary
Eleven-year-old Jelena was excited when Stabroek News contacted her. She said that she was “kind of expecting to do well but not so well”. She said it was one of her friends’ parents who delivered the good news. “When I heard I got excited and I jumped for joy,” she added. The aspiring doctor or scientist; said that she wants to help people and would like to one day find a cure for cancer. She said that going to Queen’s College was always her dream. She thanked God, her parents, teachers and relatives for her success.
Alyssa Baksh, Mae’s Under 12
Alyssa also gained 537 marks and shared the 22nd position. In a telephone interview last evening, she was happy and excited with her success. The 11-year-old who said she worked extremely hard, wanted to pass on that message to the students preparing to write the exam next year. Hard work and sacrifice are importance to success, she said.
Atiqah Roshandin, Academy of Excellence
Ten-year-old Atiqah is one of the other students in the 22nd position with 537 marks. The plain-spoken little lady said that she found the exam to be “very easy” and singled out her grandparents as playing an instrumental role in her success.
Adiaha Gomes, Success Elementary
Adiaha, one of 7 students in the 32nd position with 536 marks said that her mother “really worked with me”. Noting that she had to sacrifice many things, like TV and play and wake up very early to make her success possible, she said, “but I have my reward”. She said she would like to thank the schools that helped with her foundation before she went to Success Elementary.
Vishal Jack, Mae’s Under 12
Terming the exams “tricky and challenging but yet manageable,” Vishal said he prayed a lot and depended on God for his success. He also shared the 32nd position, gaining 536 marks.
