Many, including his teacher and father, were worried about Kagel Henry’s performance in the 2017 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

The boy, who attends the Bethany Primary School in St D’Acre, St Ann, had lost his mother a year earlier to cancer, and his sister and only sibling had just been diagnosed with leukaemia when he sat the exams. The once-vibrant Kagel was facing emotional distress at his very young age, and some wondered if he would be able to overcome it all.

There were fears that the brilliant Kagel, who is from St D’Acre, would not have done well in the examinations that would be used to determine placement in a high school. However, he defied the odds and gave a pleasant surprise to many when it emerged that he was placed at the school of his first choice — York Castle High School.

Kagel earned an 88.2 average, including scoring 95 per cent in science, and the same in social studies.

Small in stature and although often quiet, Kagel has proven that he is very strong person.

“Watching his mother suffer and pass on last February, and this February his sister was in the hospital diagnosed with leukaemia, I was worried for him,” Kagel’s father, Ashworth Henry told the Jamaica Observer.

“It has been a rough time for him, and I was scared that he would not pass the exams,” the father continued.

The elder Henry said that he saw his son’s emotional distress and was “very worried”. He said his son also questioned why his family was facing so much pressure. The father said he had to ask God for the right things to say, and he encouraged his son.

“I told him his mother is now alright and that his sister will not die,” Ashworth Henry said.

His school family also showed some concern.

“I was worried about him at first because, at the time, he was travelling to Kingston to look for his sister,” grade six teacher Shaunett Scarlett said.

While Kagel does not like to talk about the death of his mother and his sister’s illness, he said that he was motivated to do well because that is what his mother would have wanted.

“My mother wanted me to go to York Castle High School,” Kagel revealed.

He said there were times he felt like giving up but the memory of his mother motivated him. He therefore decided to work harder.

“Every evening when I came home from school I revise what I did in class,” he explained.

Having his cousins, who were also preparing for the GSAT exams, study with him was also an encouraging situation.

Kagel said he was also motivated to do well because he always wanted to attend York Castle High, as most of his family members attended that institution. Among those who attended the institution were his parents and his sister, who is now being treated at an overseas health facility.

While he misses his mother, a brave Kagel said he will not allow the challenges he faces to determine his future.

“I am so happy for him,” his father stated, in expressing joy at his son’s success in the GSAT.

“I am extremely proud of him,” Orville Harris, principal of Bethany Primary also expressed.

Harris said that the school has committed its full emotional support to Kagel.

“He also has a very supportive family and the support of his church, Glasgow New Testament Church of God,” he added.

Kagel said he hopes to pursue a career in the field of construction.