WITH nine Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects already in her arsenal, Victoria Buddoo-Fletcher will start her journey to a career in criminal justice this September when she begins studies at Northern Caribbean University.

"Our justice system needs all the help it can get," said the 15-year-old, who earned eight of her nine CSEC subjects with distinction, among them integrated science, information technology, home management, history, human and social biology, English language, English literature, and mathematics.

She received a passing grade for chemistry.

The former head girl of the Adventist-run St Ann's Bay High School, whose dream is to become a criminologist, was thrilled with her performance in CSEC exams.

"When I saw the results, I was overjoyed, ecstatic, thrilled," she said. "God has come through for me and I am grateful. In addition, to the support of my parents and extended family members, my teachers have been a constant help and also demonstrated genuine care for me. I thank them wholeheartedly."

Of her decision to pursue a career in criminology, she said: "I am always curious about understanding deviant behaviour in people and to see how best to assist as it relates to their conduct in society."

She confessed that television crime dramas, including Criminal Minds, have helped to fuel her interest in the field.

"There is something exciting about putting the pieces together in solving a crime. While I am not attracted to the frontline duty of being a police officer, I am intrigued [by] the human mind and people's behaviours," she said. "So as a criminologist, my work will entail developing profiles of criminals and criminal behaviour using research and studies that examine psychological behaviour, social issues, educational background, environmental, and biological factors. All these factors will provide an edge in solving crimes or handling legal cases. I am all into making Jamaica a safer place to live."

Meanwhile, at her graduation from high school on July 8, the teen, who was involved in the drama and environmental clubs, was given four awards, including the President's Trophy and the Academic Award Trophy.

"Victoria has maintained a high academic standard even while attending the St Ann's Bay Preparatory School where she was the top girl since grade five. This proves that she is a consistently hardworker. Though of a quiet disposition, she knows what she wants and has maintained that focus, which has paid off," noted Althea Trusty, vice-principal of St Ann's Bay High and Preparatory School.

Her parents Gary and Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher had high praise for her and the school.

"I am extremely proud of Victoria. She is a product of Adventist education, which has helped her to this point of success. We are thankful to the hardworking principal and teachers at St Ann's Bay High. We are also happy to know that Northern Caribbean University will be taking her to the next level of realising her dream," said the teen's father who is a pastor and executive secretary for the Northern Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

"Vicky has left a great example for her younger brother Carrington and I greatly respect her level-headedness and strong spirituality. She also has a great artistic eye and strong creative ability, which I think might spin-off into another interesting career path as well," added her mother.