SEVEN students from two high schools, who performed outstandingly in the GCE A’ level and CAPE examinations, were recently awarded the 2005/2006 Annual Jamaica Scholarships, offered by the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture.

They are:

. Garnett Spencer, Munroe College, Jamaica Scholarship (male);

. Joy-Ann Tabanor, Campion College, Jamaica Scholarship (female);

. David Walcott, Campion College, Jamaica Independence Open;

. Renee Armstrong, Campion College, Jamaica Independence (female);

. Michael Waul, Campion College, Jamaica Independence (male);

. Navin Suckoo, Campion College, Jamaica Adult Suffrage; and

. Machell Lee, Campion College, Jamaica Centenary (female).

“All the students with the exception of Michael Waul, who is presently at Macalester College, Minnesota, USA, are currently pursuing tertiary studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona and St Augustine campuses,” a statement from the education ministry said.

Each year before the sitting of the GCE A’ level and CAPE examinations, the tertiary unit of the ministry sends applications to high schools and community colleges islandwide for students to apply for the various scholarships.

The final choice for scholarships is made based on the calculation of standard scores in both exams from the Syndicate and the Council. Because of the different standard scores used (600 in CAPE and 300 in A’ level), a common denominator is identified by multiplying the A’ level by two or dividing the CAPE scores by two.

Machell Lee

Age 18 years

Career Objective:

To become a chemical engineer, who owns a top-of-the-line cosmetic factory.

Brother: Mark Lee, 19 years, first of two children, second year student economic student at UWI, Mona.

Father Len Roy Lee, 53 yrs, Minister of Religion

Mother: Jennifer Lee, 48 years, principal of Melrose Primary and Junior High

Extended family sharing same household

Cousins: Joan, Nerine and Dwight Myles, and second cousin Romaine Hines among others who stayed just a few years.

Grandmother: Lynda Myers

Garnett Layton Spencer

Date of Birth: May 20, 1986

Parents: Olivia and Egbert Spencer

Ambition: To become an attorney and later a politician an possibly the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Philosophy: All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me!

Schools attended: Aboukir All-Age School, York Castle High, Munro College, University of the West Indies (presently).

Positions Held: Headboy of York Castle High for the year 2002-2003, captain of the York Castle High School’s Challenge Quiz Team, Prefect at Munro College and Secretary of the Munro Sixth Form Association.

Renee Armstrong

Her early childhood educational experience began at Mona Preparatory School. In Grade six, she was perfect and vice-captain of the swim team. At Campion College, Renee was an honour student each term, and a member of the Interact Club. She was a member of both the swimming and water polo teams, where she held the position of vice-captain. Renee was successful in her GCE A’ Levels and CXC-CAPE examinations obtaining three A’s two 1’s, respectively. At graduation she was one of the recipients of the Top Performer prize for consistently maintaining an average of above 90 per cent.

David Walcott

Age 18

My parents are Dwight and Grace Walcott, both physicians. I have an eight-year-old brother, Derek, and a twelve-year old sister, Gillian.

Career Goal

I hope to become a medical doctor. My choice of specialty is not quite certain, however, I am considering a career in obstetrics and gynaecology.

How I manage in school

At times, school exerts a tremendous amount of academic pressure on me. I try not to get flustered but to do what is necessary in steps, and ensure that what needs to be done is completed. I do not allow school-work to frustrate me, rather, I attempt to complete whatever task needs to be done with enthusiasm.

Not being a last-minute type of person, I try my hardest to get what needs to be done completed in good time. I believe in a steady assimilation of knowledge rather than frantic last-minute preparations. I have a study schedule that enables me to finish assignments in good time while allowing me more than enough time for recreation and other non-academic interests.

Michael Waul

I began my formal educational experience at the age of two-and-a-half, entering the infant department of the Marlie Mount Primary School in 1990. I became my mother’s constant companion as we took the two-mile journey to school each day from my hometown in Old Harbour Bay. There, she taught the fourth grade.

Though I was much younger than the older students enrolled, I was placed in Class 1 at my so-called “little school”. That was where my thirst for knowledge began. I couldn’t get enough; I became an almost ubiquitous presence in the classes – I was told by my teachers that I would move from class to class just to get a piece of the action everywhere.

At Campion my true shining was in the area of academics. There, I was the winner of various Mathematics competitions including that put on by the Jamaica Mathematics association, a Caribbean finalist in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest, and a member of the School’s Challenge Quiz and Debating teams. At my graduation in 2003, I was named the top performer in my form, the top male student, and the top student in the subjects of Chemistry and Geography, sharing the latter prize.

Joy-Ann Tabanor

Date of Birth: November 3, 1987

I was offered and have accepted entry into the MB, BS Degree Programme in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of the West Indies in August 2006. I am currently employed at the Undergrad College. I am also taking piano lessons at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts. Navin Suckoo

Age 18

Personal Interests:

– reading, cricket, football, chess, scrabble, computers, movies, music, cars.

Success Attributed To:

– strong faith in God

– constant support and encouragement from my loving but strict mom who always encouraged me to do my best

– my wonderful teachers both at Campion College and St. Hugh’s where it all began

Regrets

– I’m sorry my father is not alive to share in my success

People who influenced my life:

– My mother who taught me the important values and family and friends who always encouraged me and whose pride in my achievements drove me to work harder.

People I admire:

– Dr Ben Carson

– Mahatma Ghandi

I Hope to…

– become the best doctor I can be.