Seventeen-year-old Daniel Dowding who is amongst the top CSEC performers for the Anna Regina Secondary School is bursting with joy having made himself and his family proud with his accomplishment.
Dowding has achieved 25 subjects at the CSEC examinations, something he set his mind to achieve.
Having heard that he was amongst the top performers, he said he was overjoyed that he made his family, school and community proud. Dowding is aspiring to become a marine biologist or a veterinarian. He is hoping that he can secure a scholarship which would enable him to pursue his dreams.
His mother Sarah Dowding, a retired headteacher, said that she knew that her son would have performed well at the examinations.
“He was always a highflyer since primary school and we had faith in him and we gave him the support he needed also.”
The mother said when she heard of the number of subjects he wanted to write she was somewhat baffled but he kept telling her that he had an aim and he wanted to achieve it. Daniel is her only son and the fourth of five children.
He received support in his endeavour from his sisters and his mother.
“Determination”
Dowding said that he spent sleepless nights studying and disclosed that it was since Grade Six that he planned on writing 25 subjects.
In 2017, when he was in Grade Six, a Queen’s College student, Michael Bhopaul shocked the country by sitting 25 subjects in one go – the first time a student sat so many subjects. Dowding noted that Bhopaul inspired and motivated him to attempt a similar feat.
But now he can smile to himself knowing that he had set his goals and achieved them.
He said he is also determined to ensure he continues his studies and to make Guyana proud.
In his spare time, Dowding is involved in indoor and outdoor games. He also enjoys reading and browsing the internet.
He advises young people to remain focussed and to ensure that they set their goals and stay committed.
Dowding also praised his teachers for supporting him.
