CORDELL Brown has long harboured hopes of earning a place at Campion College — one of Jamaica’s top-performing high schools.

Thanks to his 98.2 per cent average in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), he will enter through the gates of the famed Kingston-based institution this September.

To top it off, the 12-year-old has been recognised as Guardian Life’s Top Boy for GSAT 2011 — a distinction that has seen him awarded a scholarship valued at $50,000. He was one of 27 youths who were rewarded by the company with scholarships and bursaries.

“When I heard that I passed for Campion College, I was so speechless…” said the happy former student of United Learning Centre Preparatory School.

“I feel honoured and proud of myself and my achievements,” he added, in discussion with Career & Education following the Guardian Life awards luncheon, held at the company’s head office in Kingston last Monday.

His parents, Coral and Cordell Brown Snr, are excited at the prospect of his future and proud of his successes to date.

“He is a very disciplined child. I made sure he did his homework and motivated him,” his mother said, referencing the period before and during the GSAT examinations. “He had a weakness in communication task, but I didn’t pressure him. I just allowed him to write stories that he could and do his best.”

He, like Guardian Life’s Top Girl Taneille Donald, has an interest in pursuing a career in the field of medicine.

“I like the sciences, mainly biology, and I just want to venture in that field so that I can help people,” he said.

Other GSAT scholars rewarded by Guardian

* Jordan-Deane Allen, Trafalgar Christian Prep

* Kaith-Ann Archibald, McIntosh Memorial Primary

* Jonathan Barrett, Dunrobin Primary

* Joshua Bennett, Dunrobin Primary

* Shamar Beckford, Pembroke Hall Primary School

* Shaquille Beckford, Pembroke Hall Primary School

* Jlani Burton, May Pen High Prep

* Jhenelle Christie, Holy Childhood Prep & Academy

* Alayia Francis, Alvernia Preparatory School

* Oluandre Ffriend, Covenant Christain Academy

* Brandi-Lee Parchment, Covernant Christain Academy

* John Gooden, Praise Chapel Prep

* Brittany Green, Vaz Prep

* Kelsey Mahabeer, May Pen High Prep

* Malikah McLaughlin, St Thomas More Prep

* Avery-Ann McLeod, Pembroke Hall Primary School

* Akeem Palmer, Pembroke Hall Primary School

* Jaren Morris, Stella Morris Prep

* Lori-Ann Palmer, Mona Prep

* Joel Shand, Mona Prep

* Akeem Shelton, Alvernia Prep

* Tyrese Smith, Alvernia Prep

* Ashleigh Watt, Foundation Prep