For the first time Guyana has produced the region’s top Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) performer in Cecil Cox, of Queen’s College, who in 2013 was adjudged the region’s best science student at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC).
Cox has, with this award, achieved two significant milestones. Not only is he the first Guyanese student to be awarded the Dennis Irvine Prize for most outstanding performance at CAPE, but according to a well-placed education source he is the first student in the region to have been awarded for performance at both CSEC and CAPE.
Over the two years of his CAPE studies, Cox was able to attain passes in 14 units, with 13 Grade Ones and a Grade Two.
He has been able to obtain Grade One passes in Applied Mathematics (Units 1&2), Communication Studies, Caribbean Studies, Chemistry (Units 1&2), Pure Mathematics (Units 1&2), Physics (Units 1&2), Digital Media (Units 1&2) and Computer Science Unit 1. While it had previously been reported that Cox attained a grade three at Computer Science Unit 2, a review of that grade saw Cox being awarded a Grade Two.
Queen’s College Principal Jackie Benn, in an invited comment, told Stabroek News that the teachers as well as students of QC “are extremely pleased that we were able to dethrone Trinidad and Jamaica who have dominated this prize since its inception in 2006.” She explained that the results while extremely pleasing are not completely surprising since the school has been actively working with its best CSEC students from 2013 to maximize their potential.
Stabroek News was unable to speak with Cox who is studying in Scotland. His father, William Cox said his son is at the University of Edinburgh on a President’s Scholarship Award pursuing studies in Informatics.
According to the University of Edinburgh Website Informatics is the study of the structure, behaviour and interactions of natural and engineered computational systems. The area of study encompasses a number of existing academic disciplines – Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science and Computer Science.
The senior Cox told Stabroek News that the family is “happy for Cecil and all the other students who were able to win awards.”
One of those other students is Shonta Noel of St Roses High School. The daughter of popular local designer Sonia Noel, Shonta has been adjudged the Most Outstanding Candidate in Business Studies at CAPE, another first for Guyana.
Speaking with Stabroek News last evening Noel said she was both surprised and happy. “My goal was to be valedictorian for my school. I have exceeded that goal. I feel happy that I have made those who supported me proud,” she said sharing that her success has made her family and teachers even happier than she is.
Noel is currently studying Business Economics at the University of Guyana.
Meanwhile at the CSEC level Stabroek News has been able to confirm that Guyana has been awarded prizes in three disciplines.
Joshanna Hopkinson of QC is the region’s most outstanding candidate in the Humanities.
Hopkinson, who secured 18 grade ones at this year’s examination, pursued studies in all but one of the subjects considered for the awards. She secured passes in Caribbean History, English B, Geography, Religious Education, Social Studies and Spanish. The other subject considered is French.
Speaking with Stabroek News last evening Hopkinson explained that she felt “happy and accomplished at receiving this award. I know I worked hard and I am honoured that my hard work has led to this award.” The aspiring legal practitioner is currently pursuing a CAPE Associate Degree in History at QC. Another QC student, Shannon Woodroofe is this year’s most outstanding science student.
Woodroofe, who gained 14 grade ones told Stabroek News that she learned of her success while in class last Friday. She recalled the school’s Deputy Principal telling her the good news though she still doubts her good fortune. Woodroofe, who is preparing to sit six units at CAPE next year said that she knew from her grades that she stood a chance of getting the award but she is still shocked.
Asked about her future, she said that she is not yet sure what career she wants to pursue. Meanwhile Guyana’s Top CSEC performer Victoria Najab has been adjudged the region’s most outstanding Business Student.
The student who sat 20 subjects at the exam attained grade ones in all the subjects considered for the Business award: English A, Mathematics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Economics, Office Administration and Electronic Document Preparation and Management. Former minister of education Priya Manickchand told Stabroek News last evening, “I extend warmest congratulations to Cecil. This is the first time Guyana has topped CAPE and Cecil has given us this honour. The nation is extremely proud of him. I wish him the very best in his continuing studies and expect that he will continue to excel not only in Guyana and the Caribbean but on a world stage.”
The minister also offered congratulations “to all the other students… who topped in the various disciplines at the CAPE and CSEC level. That we did so well was expected but I am no less overjoyed. I love that we see the Caribbean’s top students coming from across the country from as far as Anna Regina and Cornelia Ida to Georgetown. This is investment in the education system paying off.”
