Tivoli student shines in CSEC reality show
She stole the show.
Tivoli Gardens High School valedictorian Kasha Thomas was a standout at the school’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 28, having swept awards across eight subject areas.
The 17-year-old tackled eight subjects while preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and while awaiting results, she was awarded by the school for outstanding performance in all among the graduating cohort — English language, English literature, information technology, principles of accounts, human and social biology, food, nutrition and health, mathematics, and Caribbean history.
As she heard her name being announced repeatedly for each award, she uttered: “It was a humbling but also excited feeling. I still haven’t wrapped my head around it as yet, but I am very, very proud and happy for myself.”
She stressed that it was not an easy feat.
“…But I’m elated that my hard work and sleepless nights have paid off, and for the grace of God who gives me the courage and strength to finish my continued journey. My journey to this point is transforming and life changing because a lot of doubts were expressed. There was failure, struggle, and that’s what helps me to work hard and not to give up,” Thomas of Dreckett Place in the west Kingston community told the Jamaica Observer.
“Being a valedictorian, the experience was fun because I got the chance to express my unique voice and say all the things that I wanted to. The process makes me feel supported and loved, but my teachers, principal and everybody in general.”
Quite the athletic student, she gave up participating in sports when she started high school.
“I was all over the place. I did tracks, I did netball, I did football, so I was never really at class to get the notes and do work. So, when I got the pass to go to Tivoli, I decided that I was going to stop all sporting activities and just focus on schoolwork. Ever since, it’s been good.”
Thomas said judging from her demeanour, people looking on wouldn’t pick up that she is often very nervous and pining over the possibility of failure “every second” when having to sit exams.
She also said that receiving so many honours with her family present was joyous. She added that she got the feeling that her mother, Chantell Kemp Thomas, father Leonard Thomas, and older sister Chaneil Thomas were all “over the moon”.
“My family is very proud and happy for me. It makes me feel humbled and at peace, but at the same time, on top of the world,” she told the Sunday Observer.
But her family isn’t the only people on cloud nine.
“My family is overwhelmed with joy and gladness, but not only them; community and church members as well. On the 28th of June, all of my family members celebrated me; especially my parents who continuously prayed for and encouraged me, and my prayer partner Minister Christine Pusey who held me up daily in her prayers,” Thomas said.
“My family members are easygoing, I love them dearly. Why? With them I don’t feel pressured. They have created a safe space for me where I could express how I feel; my sisters would give so much advice, as well as my brother. I appreciate all of my family members near and far. I can remember when going to basic and primary school, my older sister Chaneil would help me with my homework, and I wouldn’t respond at all. She was patient with me. I remember her exact words ‘When you speak out and listen to yourself, you will learn’ and that stood with me.”
Thomas will be spending two more years in high school for sixth form, and after that, she has her eyes set on physiology at University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica.
Growing up in Tivoli Gardens, she said, her educational journey was not an easy one.
“First, the community where I am currently living, it’s very noisy; music starts playing from in the afternoon to 3:00 am, so it is very difficult to study and it is one of the factors that causes my stress and depression,” she told the Sunday Observer.
“I’ve gone through a lot. In my early year of high school it started off a bit rocky. I found ways how to make my scores better; I changed the way I studied and started practising often. l was stressed, depressed, and the way I overcome them was talking to my teachers. They create a safe space for me to express myself and how I feel, and just praying to God helps.”
Thomas said her early years of high school were challenging, but she eventually adjusted and worked “my way up”.
“…And it’s been good ever since. The experience teaches me wisdom. I have grown into a well-rounded, mature individual. I have gained so much knowledge and learned how to be brave. Also, to take on tasks that are tossed at me. The experience made a great impact on my life, it pushes me to go harder and never give up,” she said.
Thomas said her environment isn’t the most conducive to getting work done, but she had to dig deep to shape the life she wants for herself.
“Despite the distractions in the community — the constant parties and loud music… most times it’s hard to concentrate. I’ve found ways how to work my way around the noise, or I would study after the party is finished. The journey wasn’t easy but is worth it. What inspire me to work hard are God and my family. And people who talk down to me make me go even harder.” she said.
“The challenges I had were trying to meet high expectations, stressing about grades, living environment challenges, trying to maintain a positive attitude, trying to have a good relationship with God by reading the Bible and praying, which is hard to do when I am swamped with schoolwork and teenager life challenges, and that makes me sometimes want to give up. But I persevered and continued,” she told the Sunday Observer.