WITH two grade ones in Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects already under her belt, including a distinction, 14-year-old Athena Haye has her eyes set on excelling in 15 subjects at that level on her path to greatness.

The Montego Bay High School for Girls student excelled in her exams at the Montego Bay eLearning Centre, earning a grade one, with distinction, in principles of accounts (POA) and a grade one in principles of business (POB).

Athena shared that, growing up, she often saw students posting their exam results on social media and, inspired by their achievements, she tried her hand at a couple subjects.

“I felt like I wanted to take a step ahead and do something different so that I could inspire my peers, and my mom was saying, ‘Yes, you should give it a try.’ She was pushing me forward and encouraging me, which really motivated me to do the subjects, as well as there’s other factors.

“I have intrinsic motivation, so there was a drive inside of me, and I was like, ‘Wow, I have to do this.’ I just wanted something to stand out about me. I want to inspire others and have people look up to me and say, ‘Wow, I want to be like Athena,’” she told the Jamaica Observer.

While she loves the sciences and still dreams of becoming a medical professional, Athena shared that she decided to pursue business subjects as a back-up option, should she ever change her mind about her future field of study. She said the idea was inspired by her mother, D-rrainth Smith, who always encouraged her to keep her options open.

The 14-year-old said that, taking on two major external exams while balancing 16 subjects in school was a difficult task, but the experience and results were worthwhile.

“I really learned that I need to work hard for everything that I want and that things don’t come easy. Doing these [subjects], it wasn’t easy. It was very challenging, actually, so I learned that I must put my best foot forward, work towards what I want to do, inspire others, and push others to do good things,” said Athena.

She added that she learned the value of early preparation and the importance of affirmations.

“Before I took this subject, I was like, ‘Yes, I’m going to get that one. I wrote up my affirmations, ‘I will get my [grade] one in both my CXCs — in POA and POB.’ In terms of preparation, it was very hard. I had sleepless nights; there were times when I doubted myself because I’m a person who doubts myself a lot, and that’s not something to be proud of. But, I mean, when you have encouraging people along your way, people to encourage and say, ‘Yes, Athena, you can do this,’ it really helps and it helps to build up my self-confidence,” she shared.

Smith shared that while she was in high school, she also took subjects ahead of time and was happy to see her daughter follow in her footsteps.

“Sometimes I wake up at one o’clock and the light is still on in her room, and she’s [at] her study desk. I would say, ‘Baby, I think you should go and get some rest,’ and she would say, ‘Mommy, one more hour,’ and I just leave her and I let her do what she [thought] was comfortable for her, once I knew that she wasn’t cracking or she wasn’t going excessively,” said Smith.

She shared that throughout the process, she witnessed Athena’s internal drive and determination to excel and push the boundaries. She said once her daughter was locked in on a goal, there was no challenge that was too big to overcome.

“She was paying attention to how much she got in her tests and ensuring that she’s acing those tests, and she didn’t want to ace it by a margin or just by an A, she wanted to ace it because she thinks she must get the highest. That showed me that she was going to put in the same work to get the same results for the CSEC [exams],” she told the Sunday Observer.

Smith said she was not shocked that her daughter was able to attain two grade ones, but was impressed when she realised she’d aced accounts, a technical subject, with distinction.

The mother urged parents to not just be a listening ear to their children’s dreams or desires, but to be active participants in their journey to success.

“If they want to do a CSEC subject and you don’t have the money to do so, acquire financial support because there are many places out there to help a child who wants to do that. If a child is choosing a career path and you do not think that’s the path for them, do some research, find a mentor or somebody who is educated or knowledgeable enough in that field…but never say no to your child who wants to aspire for greatness,” she encouraged.

With two subjects already in the bag, the now fourth-form student said she is looking to tackle information technology, economics, and human and social biology before she makes it to fifth form. She said the end goal is to complete high school with 15 subjects at the CSEC level, inclusive of all the science and business subjects.

“I’m very excited for what the future holds, and I’m willing to work hard. It’s not going to be easy, trust me, but when I got the ones, it made me so happy, so I know all this hard work pays off. Once it pays off and I see my results, and it makes me happy, it fills me with joy, it pushes me to do even better this year,” she said.

In a message to other youngsters contemplating taking on external exams early, she encouraged them to put in the work and take the leap.

“Once you put your mind to it, you can do it. Do not doubt yourself, but stay humble,” she encouraged.

Fourteen-year-old Athena Haye achieved two grade ones in principles of accounts and principles of business in her CSEC exams.

Athena Haye (right) and her mother D-rrainth Smith are all smiles.