MANDEVILLE, Manchester — With nine distinctions in her recent Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) results from Bishop Gibson High School in Mandeville and enrolment in sixth-form studies at neighbouring deCarteret College this school term, Reeba Milton seems to be taking a road to her education and career that many have travelled before.

Her decision about what could be considered a less than traditional career choice as a lecturer of theology, however, has caused some raised eyebrows particularly to persons outside of her family.

“Many persons … the reaction is in their faces. They raised their eyebrows and say ‘OK then’ or they will say why not try (a career such as) a lawyer or doctor,” the 17-year-old said.

Undeterred, Milton said that over time she has matured and has developed greater conviction in the choices that she makes in different areas of her life.

She told the Jamaica Observer that she likes to give a listening ear and inspire people and wants to do that on a long-term basis from a classroom as a lecturer at a Bible college.

The soft-spoken teenager’s involvement as an active member of the Mandeville Church of God, former president of the Inter-School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) at Bishop Gibson and being recognised as the top CSEC performer in religious education have all been preparation for her future.

She was also the top achiever for her school in Caribbean history at CSEC and had grade one passes in English Language, English Literature, mathematics, spanish, human & social biology, information technology and social studies.

The lower sixth-former said that reading inspirational quotes, the expectation others have of her, the support of her family and success of Jamaican athletes and entertainer Tessane Chin’s win in the reality television singing competition The Voice are ways in which she gets her motivation.

Milton said that she is grateful for the constant support of her parents Paulet and Desmond Milton as she tries to find her own path.

Her mother, a special educator, said that inspirational words are one of the ways she tried to motivate Reeba and her two other daughters — one now deceased — from they were young children.

She believes that parents should allow children to choose their profession and does not find her daughter’s career interest as unusual.

In fact, the elder Milton is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in theology through the Leadership Training Institute, which is affiliated with the Church of God in Jamaica.

She now serves as an assistant deacon and has served in positions such as church secretary and Sunday school superintendent at the Mandeville Church of God.

Her studies, she said, are to further the work that she can do in the church and for self- actualisation.

For Reeba Milton, she hopes to reach out to others as much as she can in her new co-educational environment while staying focused on the four subjects that she is now pursuing at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.

While her past achievements have assured her of her own academic strengths and capabilities, Milton said that her journey going forward will not be done on her own understanding but “prayerfully.”

“I just want God to use me,” she said.