Sarah Hakh, an Abram’s Zuil Secondary student who says she is not a believer in extra lessons, is the country’s top student with 16 Grade One passes at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
Hakh, 16, who describes herself as “just a normal teenager,” told Stabroek News yesterday that she was still digesting the news of her results, which came as shock to her.
According to Hakh, she knew she had the ability to perform well at the examinations but to be named the country’s top student surprised her.
Having decided to write 16 subjects at this year’s examination, she was in part relieved at the results. “I was not going to write all those subjects but my family and my teachers told me to apply myself and I put the easy ones in and concentrated on the rest after,” she explained.
Hakh added that she worked hard throughout her school life and that those preparations paid off. She noted that she is not a believer in extra lessons and instead sought to concentrate on her in class studies and work towards doing well.
She said that she has a strong liking for the languages, especially Spanish, which she described as her strong area. She said that she was “very committed “to the language, as it gave her the ability to express herself. Her weak area, she noted, was Accounts and she was worried that she would not have performed well in the subject.
As regards her future, Hakh said that she was preparing to write the Standard Aptitude Test (SAT) and if successful she will attend college in the United States. She said that she was undecided as regards a career path, while adding that she is still weighing her options.
Hakh expressed gratitude to almighty God and to her parents, guardians, peers and others who assisted her with her success.
Jessica Anthony,
Queen’s College
When Stabroek news caught up with Anthony, daughter of Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony, she was celebrating at a friend’s birthday party. “I am pleased… studying for the SBAs was the hardest part of it for me,” said the aspiring cardiologist, who gained 14 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos.
She explained that at Queen’s College, the students have a close bond and would most times study and complete SBAs in groups. It was therefore no surprise to her that most of the top performers are her friends.
Anthony said that while most of her subjects were “easy” and did not require additional classes, she could not say the same for Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, for which she sought private extra classes.
Jenelle Cadogan,
Queen’s College
Aspiring Archaeologist 16-year-old Cadogan said her long hours of studying paid off after she learned that she had achieved 13 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, making her the county’s third best performer at this year’s examinations.
Cadogan said she was required to attend extra lessons and study diligently, which she was proud of. “I didn’t really expect these results but it was good. All those late nights and early mornings and praying have paid off,” she said, adding that the preparation process for the examination was very difficult. Cadogan said that she intends to continue her studies at the sixth form level at Queen’s College, where she will prepare for CAPE with a focus on the natural sciences.
Deowattie “Vanessa” Narine,
Bishops’ High School
Narine, 16, who ranked fourth in the country at this year’s exams, told Stabroek News that the news of her success “wasn’t a surprise.”
The bubbly girl was overwhelmed when she first learnt of the results on Stabroek News’ website. She said she started screaming and immediately got the attention of everyone in her house.
She secured 13 Grade Ones and said her achievements were preceded by a lot of studying. However, she said, she did encounter some difficulties, including an unfortunate burn during a small electricity class that lacked necessary resources. She said also that the school did not have an Additional Mathematics teacher.
Nonetheless, Narine said that she owed a debt of gratitude to the entire staff at her school, but she singled out Mrs. Harris, Sir Van Veen, Sir Blyden and Mrs. Wilson for their encouragement and thorough assistance with School Based Assessments. She also attributed part of her success to extra lessons offered by her subject teachers at school for revisionary work. She also thanked both her parents for their support, especially her father, who would usually take her to and from lessons.
The aspiring neurologist/astronaut encouraged future students to keep focused and “never have a limit.” She plans to return to Bishops’ for sixth form, in the event of a new science stream being introduced there.
Kaleshwar Singh,
Bishops’ High School
For this aspiring civil engineer, success came with striking a balance between work and play. “I did not naturally expect [13 Grade Ones] but I just knew I would have done well,” Singh told Stabroek News.
The 16-year-old recounted his shock at the news of the early announcement of the CSEC grades, which he learnt through friends’ congratulatory posts on his Facebook profile. He then related the news to his family, who he said was “very happy and proud.”
When asked about his exams preparations, Singh said, “it was not a smooth sail, but then again it was not hard. It was moderate. It was all about establishing that balance between work and play.” However, he admitted that “I might have overdone on the play a bit.”
Like many, SBAs posed as a huge problem for this young lad, who only managed to complete some of his a mere two weeks before examinations started. As a result, he was forced to study for a few subjects just nights before the examinations. Singh was not too keen on revealing this in light of his success because he feels it sets a “bad example” for students who may see no need for studying long beforehand. He said his case was just one of “luck.”
Singh extended gratitude to his parents, brother and teachers at the Bishops’ High, especially Mrs. Harris, Sir Van Veen, Miss Wilson, Miss Cave and Sir Blyden and “to all other teachers too numerous to mention.”
He advised prospective CSEC students to “work and play. If you work all the time and then get a mental breakdown, what would be the use of those 13 ones?”
Singh now plans to further his studies in civil engineering at the University of California.
Meikel Mahabir, West
Demerara Secondary School
When Stabroek News caught up with this aspiring ophthalmologist, he credited his 13 Grade Ones to his hard work and “sleepless nights” leading up to the examinations and the push given by all his teachers.
“Leading up to exams I had a lot of sleepless nights and I pushed myself hard and I am happy my hard work paid off,” Mahabir said, while also thanking god and his parents.
The 16-year old stated that the most challenging exam was General Electricity, since it was a bit too technical and “all over the place.” However, he said that he overcame that challenge because of his “great teacher,” Miss Vernelia Hussain.
An enthusiastic Mahabir said that he is now focusing on his studies as he prepares for the University of Guyana, where he plans to study medicine from September. With the overall percentage of Guyana’s performance in Mathematics and English A declining, Mahabir was asked if he was challenged in those areas and he said no, since he wrote Mathematics in Form 4 and obtained a distinction. He added that English A was just “common comprehension.”
Bibi Ameena Nazaralie,
Saraswati Vidya Nikitan
A nascent environmentalist, Nazaralie said that she expected to do well at the examinations but not as well as she did. She gained 13 Grade Ones.
Nazaralie said that she was “speechless” when she learnt that she copped the first position in her school and placed amongst the top ten performers in the country. Like other students, she gave praises to God and also thanked family members and teachers for their support. Speaking about her preparations leading up to the examination, Nazaralie stated that it was tough since she burned the midnight oil every night.
She said that she is still indecisive about her next move but noted that she plans to commence her studies at the University of Guyana very soon.
When asked about the challenges she faced during the examination period, Nazaralie stated that there were no major challenges although Information Technology was a bit tough. She extended thanks to her school’s principal, Swami Aksharananda, whom she said guided the students.
Benedict Sukra,
Queen’s College
Sukra said, “SBAs were rough. Oh my goodness that was a lot of work; too much work if you ask me.” But he noted that the examinations were not difficult as he also went to “a lot of lessons,” which helped him to gain 12 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. Like his good friend Keshant Samaroo, he said that while he has not decided on a career occupation, he knows that it will be in medicine or engineering.
Roshelle Sparman,
Mackenzie High School
When Stabroek News caught up with the 16-year-old Sparman, she was at a youth camp on the Soesdyke Highway, where everyone there was in elation and praying at the news of her success.
Sparman, who placed tenth in the country with 12 Grade Ones and a Grade Two and a Grade Three, said since she heard her results, she had been praying and thanking God because “exactly what I prayed for I got.”
She said her parents were “very excited and pleased… they always supported me and my mother always said she knew I would top my school and that motivated me.”
The aspiring lawyer said her success was “not entirely a surprise. I always used to do well along the way. I mean you can never be too sure of yourself, but my results are satisfactory, not surprising.”
She related all the sacrifices she had to make along the way, including “giving up a lot of sleep, which was unusual.”
She said, “studying became more intense in fifth form, and I had to use the internet less. I had to sacrifice Facebook and yahoo. I focused on areas that were the hardest, and made sure I read my textbooks from cover to cover.”
An excited Sparman told Stabroek News that her achievements could not have been earned without divine intervention and her church, assistance and support from her parents and teachers, especially her lessons teachers Miss Hinds, Mr. McDonald and “all those that assure me, especially the head teacher and class teacher who prayed with us.”
She encouraged upcoming CSEC students to “keep trusting in God and be willing to sacrifice the closest things to you. Do not be over-confident. Take part in extra-curricular activities that will help to keep you alert and enable you to take in everything. No relaxation makes the body tired.”
She stressed on the importance of the completion of all syllabuses, which should not be embarked on only at the teacher’s pace.
Sparman also extended gratitude to the Linden community “for encouraging me. My success is not only for me but for them as well. I hope this is like a little light that shines through Linden. In light of what is happening right now, I am glad I can give them something to smile about.”
She now hopes to pursue studies in law at sixth form in Georgetown.
Karran Singh, St Rose’s High School
Singh, 16, who scored 12 Grade One passes, one Grade Two and one Grade three, advises students who are preparing to write the examinations next year to stay focus and study hard.
The Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident, who placed 11th among the country’s top performers, said that he always worked hard to achieve better grades. His grades, he noted, are a reflection of the hard work and late nights of studying he had done in preparation for the exams. He also acknowledged his parents, god and his teachers for his success. For now, he will be moving on to sixth form, after which he plans to study medicine to fulfil his dream to become a doctor.
Vishwati Oudhram, Saraswati Vidya Nikitan
This young lady hopes to become Guyana’s next Auditor General as she plans to pursue studies in the field of accounting. An overwhelmed Oudhram said that she is very thankful for her 12 Grade Ones and one Grade Two, and credited her supportive parents, teachers and God.
Long nights, hard work and dedication were the three key elements that pushed Oudhram in the path of success. She thanked Swami Aksharananda for his teachings of discipline, which she said was also one of the main contributing factors to her success. “My challenge was Business Economics because we had a part time teacher but in the end it all worked out… I loved Mathematics and English was a bit easier because of the new structuring, so it was no major challenge,” she said.
Safeya Baksh, Queen’s College
Undecided about whether she will later pursue a career in engineering or one in medicine, Baksh said she has adequate time to make a decision since she will be studying Physics and Chemistry, a requirement in both fields. The 16-year-old said she will be returning to Queen’s College to complete her sixth form education. “I want to do engineering but my parents want me to do medicine,” she explained.
Baksh said she was very surprised after learning that she had achieved 12 Grade Ones and one Grade Two but this, she added, was pleasing. She also confessed that she had not started preparations for the examinations until a week prior. “It didn’t sink in ‘till like a week before… like, ‘Oh my God, CXC!’ But SBAs had us totally busy,” she told this newspaper. She added that her success was owed to God.
Keshant Samaroo, Queen’s College
Samaroo was exhilarated at his 12 Grade Ones and one Grade Three, while saying that while the exams themselves were not difficult, he had to spend a lot of time working on SBAs, lab experiments and extra classes. “I had a lot of work on SBAs and labs but did not study much for the exams as I had quite a bit of lessons,” he laughed.
Samaroo, added: “I think I got into gear one week before but luckily still got the job done.” Samaroo hasn’t yet decided on a career choice but said that when he does, it will be something in either medicine or engineering.
Khemraj Rupee, Queen’s College
Rupee told of a student whose main focus was on cricket and who only switched gears in fifth form. “I love and live for cricket but in fourth form, realising that my grades were horrible, I felt I needed to drop the cricket for a while and do something. I had to study.” he said.
He said that his dedication to studies for the year paid off and is pleased at his 12 Grade Ones. Asked about career aspirations, he quickly replied, “A cricketer of course… I played for the national under-15 cricket team and will show that I can balance academics and cricket.”
Chaitram Mohamed, St Rose’s High School
For his 11 Grade One passes and four Grade Two passes, Singh, 16, said he had to endure hard studying into the nights at his Fouls Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara home. As a result, the aspiring economist told Stabroek News during a telephone interview, he was not surprised at his performance.
Singh, who said he gave up sleep and TV, advised other students to study hard and make the sacrifices for success. Like other students, he was also grateful to his teachers and parents for supporting him.
Farhana Ali, West Demerara Secondary
After obtaining 11 Grade Ones and Four Grade Twos at the examinations, Ali hopes to become Guyana’s best lawyer. Ali said that due to her hectic schedule, with extra lessons almost every day and School Based Assessments (SBAs) there was little time for quality studying. As a result, she was “shocked” because the expectation of being amongst the country’s top performers was not there. Copping the second position in her school was a dream come true, she said, while noting that she made challenges of all subjects and in the end she came out triumphant. “Special thanks are extended to Sir Harry, my mom and my teachers because it was due to them I made it,” she said.
Kashif Khan, Queen’s College
Khan said that he studied hard, staying up late most nights and was assisted by his parents, who would sometimes wake to find him at morning in the studying position they left him the night before. He said he felt “real good” hearing of his 11 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos. He said he wants someday to be the best paediatrician this country has ever had.
Kayman Singh, West Demerara Secondary
A shocked and trembling Singh related that the news of his 11 Grade Ones and Three Grade Twos just made him even happier. Success was credited to his family and teachers. “The long nights and little sleep had really paid off… I am proud of myself and I am sure that my parents are too,” he said.
He gained 11 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos. Among his risks taken, Singh said, was his decision to write Spanish at the examinations. He dubbed it as a challenge but noted that it is one he is sure he passed, since he felt confident throughout the examination.
Migration may see this aspiring lawyer begin his studies overseas and as a result he plans to resort to studying in the field of accountancy while he gets a job. “The possibility of migration may prevent me from doing law in Guyana but it is my ultimate goal to become a lawyer and I will,” a confident Singh said.
Keesha De Souza, Corentyne Comprehensive High
De Souza, 16, with 11 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos, is the top CSEC student for Region 6—a first for her school.
When contacted by this newspaper, De Souza was both shocked and excited by her performance. She explained that although due to her hard work she expected to do well, she never expected to top the region.
Her preparation for the examinations was challenging but she received help from her sisters and encouragement from her parents, she noted. Although she never had a fixed schedule for studying, as the examinations neared she had put in a lot of work.
De Souza added that she owed all the credit to god, who gave her the knowledge and wisdom to be successful, her parents for their financial support, her sisters who helped her with her SBAs, her aunt, friends and teachers, including her head mistress for believing in her and encouraging her to work hard. She hopes to become a chemist and will be starting the University of Guyana in the new semester to pursue studies in the field.
Meanwhile, Corentyne Comprehensive High headmistress Nirmala Somwaru-Husain said she was elated at De Souza’s performance. “I knew all along that she was going to excel but to actually learn that she has topped Region 6 is a feeling that words just cannot express. I just want to extend congratulations to her, the teachers and all other students,” she said, noting that it is believed it is the first time the school has produced the top student for the region. “This is what can be achieved with the right attitude,” she added.
Preshant Shivdas, Queen’s College
Shivdas said that SBAs were “very hard” and that he had many long nights working on them. He added that he also had to attend extra lessons in five subject areas but was pleased with his performance, which saw him achieve 11 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. He will
now go on to write CAPE and pursue studies in engineering.
Kessia Garnett, St Rose’s High School
Queen Street, Kitty resident Garnett, 16, was surprised when she learned about her 11 Grade One passes and two Grade Two passes at this year’s examinations. She said her preparations were not easy, since she had to stay up late at nights to study while fighting off sleep. Giving up the amount of time spent on Facebook, her cellular phone and in front of the television, were some of the sacrifices she said she had to make. She also credited her success to extra lessons, support from her mother, Bianca Couzius, and her father, Dexter Garnett, and the many teachers who assisted her.
An aspiring lawyer, Garnett plans on returning to sixth form, after which she plans to attend the University of Guyana. Her advice to other students is to start studying early and establish a balance between recreation and study.
Shrikant George, Saraswati Vidya Nikitan
”Excellent results comes after hard work and determination,” said George, who gained 11 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos. This budding businessman is currently on the lookout for a job, while he awaits the reopening of school so that he can pursue studies in the field of Business Management.
Hoping to become a top business executive, George said that his grades are just the beginning of something phenomenal while he credited his success to God, teachers and his parents. According to him, apart from normal classes and extra lessons, he hardly did any other studying leading up to his examinations.
He said that he sailed through the exams since he found no subject challenging as his years of in class learning finally came to an end.
Diane Lilman, Tagore High School
Lilman, upon learning of her 11 Grade Ones and one Grade Two, was in tears of joy. For her, the results were the “biggest news” she had ever heard and she said it felt like she was on “cloud nine.”
Her results earned her the second highest place in the region. “I never expected to do so well… I thought another girl at school would have topped because she always does well in school,” she said, adding that she worked hard, went to extra lessons and stayed up late to read. She gave thanks to god, her parents, other family members and teachers for their support.
Members of her family were also in shocked when they heard the news of her results and some skeptical. An aunt who was contacted first thought it was prank being played, while Lilman’s mother burst into tears. At the time, Lilman was at a wedding house and she was very nervous throughout the day awaiting the results.
She will be starting the University of Guyana in September, pursing studies in biology as she hopes to become a cardiologist. Her advice to next year candidates is to work hard because it pays off. She said that they should work a lot of past papers and form study groups, since it aids learning. She also advised that they should go to extra lessons.
Karishma Narain, New Amsterdam Multilateral School
Narain, 16, was extremely surprised at her 11 Grade Ones. She received the news from her Mathematics teacher and she did not believe him when he told her.
Narain, who said it took a while for the results to be absorbed, said she found the examination to be quite simple, although she had some rocks in the way.
The girl, who said that her parents were very happy with her accomplishment, will be pursuing studies in the field of chemistry but has not yet decided what she wants to become. She will, however, be starting the University of Guyana in September to study chemistry.
Saudia Raffik, New Amsterdam Multilateral School
Raffik, who gained 11 Grade Ones, was speechless when she learned of her success. However, she eventually managed to say that she was very happy with her achievement at the examinations, especially since she found them quite tough in some areas. While preparing for the examinations she had to study hard with her best friend, fellow New Amsterdam student Karishama Narain. She said the two of them took turns and studies at each other houses.
Raffik credited her success to god, her parents, brothers, teachers of at the New Amsterdam Multilateral and her best friend. The girl said that she will be starting University of Guyana in the new semester pursuing studies in chemistry.(Reporting by Lakhram Bhagirat, Marcelle Thomas, Shakisa Henry, David Papannah, Mandy Thompson and Frances Abraham)
