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.
Rahul,congratulations on your achiev ment.This is just a glimpse of what is possible.Continue to strive for lofty goals and use your accomplishments to send waves of hope to inspire and uplift those around you.God Bless!
Well done, this is the news I like to read about. I wish all the best in your future endevors, the world is your oyster.
Felicitaciones Yana! Menos mal
Must say I am impressed. Back in the day with her dad and me no one took more than nine subjects. I think her dad, Tony and me had more fun though racing each other at school sports and all the other liming we did. Great job Marissa and all the other students with big dreams, and who have done well. Congratulations to the parents especially my old friend Eddie and his wife Yonette. I guess she got that competitive fire from you.
The Exam is easier Keith Basdeo (that is a fact). Not taking anything away from her performance, 15 subjects is a lot. Also, in your days I am sure resources were limited.
congratulations to miss edwards. keep it up and continue to excel in everything u do.
Congrats on your success Y-A-N-A. U’ve made me proud and certainly your parents and the nation at large. You’ve raised d bar for young ppl to follow especially Afro-Guyanese who seem to b losing their focus in this regard. Mind u, there are still those who r doing us proud. Continue chasing your dreams girl. D sky is d limit. If u fall d clouds will certainly catch u.. Justice Cummings & Dr. Edwards, congrats 4 a job well done in laying d firm foundation. Charity begins at home!!
Congratuation to you Yana! Keep the great work up, with sacrifice all things are possible. You work hard and you earned your grades with distinctions. YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST! I wish you good luck in your endeavor.
In addition, keep on making your parents happy and proud of you also Oh beautiful Guyana. A mind is a terrible thing to waste! Sky indeed is the limit so go for it. All praises and thanks to God. Have a blessed weekend.
Congratulations to Ms Edwards on her success. Keepup the good work.
We still have great potential in our most valuable resource, the children of Guyana.
Guyana will prosper one day.
God Bless Guyana.
well well well done why the young people is so easily be leed astray and i am so proud otf this young lady but she has to give god all the glory and honour if it was not for him he is one that is using her in a specal way , He telling us not to give up on the young we must all come together and pray for them. If we pray for each other childrem the world will be a better place. Parents well done
Congradulations to you yana and also your parents, i’m so proud of you, be blessed
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