FROM age nine, Jazmine Stewart, former deputy head girl of Retreat Primary School and JN Foundation PEP Scholar for St Mary, knew that she wanted to go to York Castle High School in Brown’s Town, St Ann.

“I planned out my school choices before I was even in grade five,” the now 13-year-old said.

She worked diligently to achieve what was, at that time, her most important goal. From completing past papers to attending morning and evening classes, she did all she could with her objective in mind.

“Just the fact that I could have a chance at going to York Castle kept me motivated to study. It’s kind of a big deal,” she continued.

As the youngest of three siblings, she benefited from the encouragement and guidance of her parents — Tristan Stewart and Diandra Thompson Stewart — who knew their daughter was an exceptional student from a young age.

“I knew she would get her first choice [York Castle High School], she’s been keeping her grades up since, well… kindergarten, so I wasn’t surprised,” Thompson Stewart said.

Having consistently placed at the top of her class, Jazmine’s hard work and dedication culminated in an impressive score of 365.3 out of the maximum 400 on her Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

On graduation day, her efforts were recognised as she took home several academic awards, including the coveted title of Top Girl. This did not shock her mom, who said: “PEP is a lot, but the fact that she had a stronghold on it mentally helped. She was always like, ‘Mommy, I got this.’ ”

Together, the mother-daughter duo applied for scholarships to ensure the academic reign continued into her secondary school journey. But, despite her planning, one thing Jazmine could not prepare for was a surprise call from her mother during lunch.

Overjoyed, Thompson Stewart couldn’t help but share the good news: Jazmine had been awarded a five-year scholarship from JN Foundation.

“I was so excited, I couldn’t help it,” she explained.

“I didn’t believe her,” Jazmine continued, “She called me in the lunch line and texted me: ‘If I’m lying, I’m dying.’ ”

For 41 years, the JN Foundation Scholarship Programme has rewarded students like Jazmine, whose dreams of academic excellence mirror the foundation’s goal to support youth development. This year, 37 scholarships and 10 grants have been awarded to exceptional students from across the island to help them achieve their educational and personal development goals.

“She’s one of those students that you expect to do exceptionally well. To watch Jazmine win something is a sight, and I’m excited to see what she does with this scholarship,” said her grade six mathematics teacher, Tamara Howard-Hemmings.

“You know it’s like a reward for her, because the praise is coming from outside now, not just from us, the family, or teachers, saying that she’s brilliant. It shows her [Jazmine] that when you put in the hard work people will see it and keep her motivated to do great,” noted her father.

Now having completed her first term at York Castle, the teen remains excited about all her school has to offer. She continues to enjoy the atmosphere of her favourite class, information technology, and has joined the Homemakers Club and Key Club. The young optimist also hopes to participate in sports once she has settled in.

The transition to high school has not been without its difficulties, as Jazmine juggles classes, extracurricular activities, homework, and a long daily commute, which sometimes involves her returning home well after dark. Regardless of the challenges, her parents remain proud of their daughter’s zeal.

“It’s refreshing to see one so young, so committed to her studies,” her dad mused.

“Yes, my favourite thing about ‘Jaz’ is her resilience and persistence. I always tell her to do her best, and she does,” her mother added.

From a dream at nine years old to walking the halls of York Castle High School with pride, the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship has encouraged Jazmine to continue paving the way for her future success as an orthodontist. While Jazmine continues to make her other dreams a reality, she encourages PEP students to “think about how proud your friends and family will be of you for going to your first-choice high school”.

Jazmine Stewart’s academic awards from her Retreat Primary School graduation on display.