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.
Congrats Marissa, I am as proud of you as I am of my Granddaughter who is doing great here in School also, same age as you.
congrats to you young sister of guyana,wish you all the best in the future.
I give all my congratulations to the parents of this young lady. They helped her through with their remarkable vision and unwavering mentoring. A few tips from them will greatly help to renew the directions other parents have conveniently forgotten. I, too, basked in the pride all guyanese must have felt, especially her teachers in every phase of her education.
Warming news, right there.
GO GIRL, YOUR SUCESS LIGHTENED MY HEART. I KNOW WE ARE STILL GREAT PEOPLE. BE THE DOCTOR YOU ARE ASPIRING TO BE.
Congrats Marisa, hard work always pays off.
This young lady is able to do well,she is part of a traditional two -parent house hold.
Congrats!!!
Hey gtbeat…I gather you have a beef with single parents…I am of the notion that children of non-traditional households can be just as successful.
congrats. to Marissa as well as the other young man there.
In fact to all the students who worked so hard to achieve their success.
I remember those good ole days………………………………………….
Allia you are so right about the good old days….I remember when I used to screw up me ugly mouth and yelled…mom it gun rain ah cant go to school cozi gun geh sick…den i would hear me father voice…mom if he gun get sick..give he some caster-oil…i tell ya how i friken casteroil…before he sah oil…i done reach in school aready ehehehehe……I wish all the kids the best and pray for a bright future for all….
I ,, would first say to Miss Edwards ,, that u have excelled ,, and for all of ur efforts ,, u deserve to be proud ,, as u have made me proud to be a G’nese ,, and i congratulate u on ur success,, at this point i would like to heap the praises ,, much as i did u ,, on the TEACHERS for their guidance ,, and dedication to the noble career they have chosen ,, a profession that requires ,, PATIENCE ! and also to ur parents who i’m quite sure are elated ,,
when i think on education ,, i hear the words of Danile Webster,,, he said,,,,,,
“educate ur children to self-control,, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will ,, and u have done much to abolish misery from their future lives and crimes from society ,,,,,
knowledge does not comprise all which is contained in the large term of education !,,, the feelings are to be disciplined ; the passions are to be restrained ; true and worthy motives r to be inspired ; a profound religious feeling is to be instilled ,, and pure morality inculcated under all circumstances “,,,,,
all of the above is comprised in EDUCATION !…. HOLD FAST ,,,,
parents ,, teachers ,,, and students !……..
Marissa,as a father of 2 i am so proud of you.i can emagine how your parents feeling right now.keep up the good work my fellow guyanese.
emagine—This must be the American Spelling. LOL. I am bored onelove, don’t take me seriously.
Congratulations Yana.Keep on making Guyana proud.We need more like you to show the world what hard work can produce.Use this accomplishment and blessing to make a difference in the lives around you.God Bless!