FOR Graeme Welds, 17, earning a scholarship to attend Bates College is another step on the road to working in a field he loves — economics.

“As far as my future profession goes, I haven’t made a decision on what I want to do, but I want to be in the field of economics,” said the Campion College prefect.

Welds walked away from the scholastic aptitude test (SATs) with a 2020 score last year — a feat which earned him scholarships to attend not only Bates College, but also the University of British Columbia, Colgate University, Swarthmore University, Bowdoin College, University of Rochester, The Manchester College, and Wesleyan University.

He chose Bates.

“They offered me the most substantial scholarship package and their economics department is one of the strongest in the United States,” Welds told Career & Education, noting the reasons for his choice.

“I am really pleased. Earning this scholarship is (the result of) a combination of hard work and determination throughout high school. I hope to experience new things, get a feeling of what it is like to live on an international campus and hopefully transfer to other universities in Europe or Asia,” he added.

Welds credited his parents, older sister and teachers for helping him to reach his academic goals, particularly since his journey has not been without challenges.

Earning a scholarship is nothing new to Welds. In 2004, the former Mona Prep School head boy earned a government scholarship for his outstanding performance in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). His 97 per cent average in the GSAT also earned him a place at Campion.

“After I got that government scholarship, I was really happy. My sister had gone to Campion and it was like following in her footsteps. It was a great accomplishment for me,” he said.

In addition to his SAT score, Welds holds distinctions in Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination subjects, notably, economics, Spanish, English literature and communication studies. He also earned distinctions in mathematics, English language, English literature, Spanish, biology, chemistry, geography, and Caribbean history at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level.

Welds currently serves as public relations officer for the engineering club and peer counselling body at Campion, plays cricket and lawn tennis and is a part of the Music House String Ensemble.