HE was born to a teen mother and landed in the arms of the State as an infant; she was catapulted into State care four years ago after a fire left her homeless but despite their tragic moorings, the two are now the toast of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) after they topped the 2024 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

The CPFSA’s 2024 top boy, for PEP, a Clarendon native and aspiring pilot, has been accepted into the Denbigh High School with an impressive placement score of 338.3.

His female counterpart, a 12-year-old St Catherine resident, excelled in her PEP, achieving an outstanding final placement score of 358.5 out of 360 and will attend the St Andrew High School for Girls to further her dream of becoming a paediatric nurse. The two were last week among 145 youth in State care recognised for their exam performances.

The top boy, who is known for his zest for learning and his warm, respectful manner, had long harboured a liking for his new school because of, “its high standards and discipline”.

The youngster, who, though in the care of the state, has been supported by his paternal grandmother and shares a strong bond with this mother, a “network which combined with his determination and self-discipline, has been key to his academic success,” according to the CPFSA.

The top girl who, despite being rendered homeless by the fire which razed her family home, rose from the ashes and quickly distinguished herself as a top achiever at the primary school she was placed afterwards.

According to the CPSFA, “her dedication to her studies, coupled with her active participation in extracurricular activities, earned her widespread admiration from her teachers and peers. Her natural leadership abilities shone through, leading to her being appointed head girl, a role she carried out with distinction”.

It further said, “her achievements are a testament to her resilience, the strength of her character, and the power of supportive relationships in overcoming adversity”.

Now the young woman who credits much of her success to her guardian, who is also her Godmother, plans to use education as her platform to reach out to other children experiencing difficulties and impact their lives positively.

A total of 145 children in State care completed the PEP this year. Of this number 39 received a score of 300 points and higher.

The CPFSA on an annual basis spends in excess of $40 million on tuition and examination fees for children enrolled in educational institutions up to the tertiary level.