TWELVE-year-old Akiel Whyte, a budding cardiologist and admirer of Asafa Powell, was on Thursday awarded as national champion for the 2009 DPH National Primary Schools Mathematics Competition.

The Grange Hill Primary school student recorded the first victory in the competition for the Westmoreland institution. The champion school – also based in the west – was Corinaldi Avenue Primary, with its three entrants receiving top prizes.

“It was challenging, I had to put in extra hours each day, at least three hours per day,” Whyte said.

His hard work paid off because he was named this year’s national champion out of over 800 entrants from 277 participating schools across the island. As the champion for Westmoreland, Whyte was presented with a DPH parish champion trophy, a gift basket as well as a book voucher valued at $5,000. He was also awarded the national champion’s trophy and a scholarship valued at $50,000, having received 96 per cent in the competition.

Since more than five entrants received the top five grades, four students had to share third place and two, the runner-up position. In fifth place was Vejae McLean of Corinaldi Avenue Primary, who received 94 per cent while fourth place was awarded to Kamoya Panton of Naggo Head Primary in St Catherine. Panton attained 94.5 per cent in the competition.

Third place position was shared among Keisha Morris of Dunrobin Primary, Amelia Dunkley of Burnt Savannah Primary, Orville Edwards, also of Corinaldi Avenue Primary and Christopher Lynch of St Judes Primary. All received scores of 95 per cent. The runner-up position was shared between Aneath Mair of Dunrobin Primary and Tasheka Peterkin of Corinaldi Avenue Primary with scores of 95.5 per cent.

Jacqueline Reynolds, the champion teacher, admitted she knew Whyte did well but she was not expecting the national champion award.

“I knew he would’ve done well but I was only expecting … the parish champion,” she said. “I was overwhelmed when I realised he was the overall winner. I don’t think it was very challenging for him because he loves Math and he has always been doing well at it… I am happy that he came out on top.”

For Reynolds, working with Whyte was easy.

“The foundation was there from before because we had been preparing for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). So after the GSAT we spent a couple more hours each day and introduced him to some high school Math, just in case there was anything unfamiliar on the paper.”

Although this year’s national average for GSAT was just over 50 per cent, Whyte achieved 100 per cent for Mathematics and will be heading to Mannings High School in September.

The awards were presented at the 15th DPH National Primary Schools Mathematics Awards held at the Terra Nova Hotel in St Andrew. Thirteen other parish champions were also awarded trophies, gift baskets, and book vouchers courtesy of the sponsors for the last three years, DPH, a brand of Federated Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Lascelles Limited.

The competition is aimed at promoting excellence in Mathematics, contributing to national development.

Claude Packer, principal of Mico University College, after admitting that he had failed the Second Jamaica Local Examination in Mathematics at age 16, urged students to maintain a high standard in Mathematics and reminded them that they had to read well in order to understand Mathematics.

“I will continue to do what I am doing right now and continue to excel,” Whyte responded.