Sixteen-year-old Yana-Marisa Edwards of Queen’s College has been named the country’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student.
Yana-Marisa Edwards
An Education Ministry source yesterday confirmed that Edwards is the nation’s top student. The source noted said that at a press conference to present results through the media, Minister of Education Shaik Baksh had given a list of names of students who were vying for the top spot; but had said that the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) had not yet determined the top CSEC student. The media had reported that unofficially Rahul Nehaul Lall was the top CSEC student, since he had received the most grade ones on the list that was provided.
However, Stabroek News understands that Edwards with 14 grade ones and one grade two is in fact the top student. What give her the edge over Lall was her distinctions in two foreign languages: French and Spanish and a double major in Agricultural Science. Her only grade two was in Music.
Stabroek News caught up with the young lady at her school sports yesterday. “I was satisfied with the grades I got but the news made me feel elated,” Edwards said referring to being officially named the top student.
Talking about her tutelage at Queen’s College Edwards said the school goes beyond the ordinary curriculum. “They teach us integrity; self preservation… takes you beyond work and into life itself.”
Edwards said she believed her success was due to a process, which started since first form or even before that. It involved giving up a lot and making a special sacrifice. “And even now CXC is not the end but another beginning,” she said.
She plans to continue in sixth form and do A-levels.
The daughter of physician Dr Morris Edwards and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, the 16-year-old plans to follow in her father’s footsteps and study medicine. “I have a lot of time to change my mind though,” she said smiling.
Exams results were issued in Guyana on August 21, several days after they were released in other Caribbean territories. When the results were read to the media at a press conference, the exam slips had not yet arrived to be distributed to schools. Baksh had at the time stated his displeasure at the council’s “slothfulness.”
CXC had then reported that an overall two per cent increase in candidates’ performance at the CSEC examinations throughout the region was recorded this year. A press release from the council had said that 62 per cent of the 563,302 entries received acceptable grades.
Well done. This is an excellent beginning on the way forward. Shows that with the correct guidance and mentoring students can go a far way. Do not let anything come in the way of achieving your dreams child. Keep on striving for the best and continue to make the nation proud of an African Guyanese. Good work.
Congratulations YANA-MARISA, well done…..Follow your dream…..
Kudos to Dr. Morris, Justice Yonette, and ALL the Edwards’ families.
Education is ONE of the KEY DRIVERS to Success for Individuals and a Nation as a whole.
EDUCATION is PIVOTAL.
HUGE KUDOS, also, to Queen’s College, Teachers, Administrators, and fellow Students.
Do hope this will be a motivation, for all schools, teachers, administrators, students, and families.
I am so proud of this young lady accomplishment. I wish her the best in realising her dreams.
Congratulations!!! Ms Yana-Marisa, you’re so EXCELLENT. Keep up your good works!! theres a whole world of Opportunity ahead, be cool and keep studying, more success ahead.
You’ve made your parents most PROUD, to the teachers that was responsible for your success, please keep up the good works.
THE GREAT LAND OF GUYANA IS REALLY EXALTED.
woy!!! the good news ain stoppin!! congrats Yana. all the best in the future.
Congrats to this kid and all others who did great for their future::::
I know how proud their parents are::::
Like when I flunked kindergarten me mom said—great job baby…i love you and im proud of you son…..
Evileyes, you make me smile all the while…Your mom did the right thing to congratulate you even when you weren’t doing well…kids have a way of internalizing the negatives — her reversed psychology worked didn’t it??
Thank you Shea 30::::hmmmm you stay silent my good friend John Smith.. not a word..I can see you reading this now while drinking a real ice cold Banks Beer laughing your head off….shhhhhhhh ehehehehehehe
evil eye, that was so funnnyyy.
I wish to convay my congratulations to Marrisa, for her recent success at the CSEC exams.You have made your parents, reachers, community and friends proud and you have made the nation proud. You have set a shining examples for young women in our society. Keep up the good work and continue to strive for excellence
Convay/Convey. Typo or you can’t spell or spell check wasn’t working.
What a breath of fresh air to read something positive in the news …congrats Ms. Edwards and keep up the good work !!!!
congrats and keep up the good work.
Whooo Hoooo…. Go Guyana Go Guyana Go…
Eh Em, I got a little carried away there.
Congratulations to Marissa for her accomlishment, the parents for continuous support and most of all, the teachers for their dedication and hard work!!!