FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Hurricane Melissa may have robbed them of valuable classroom time, damaged their schools and forced teachers to improvise lessons, but it could not derail the ambitions of Trelawny’s top Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students.

Instead, adversity strengthened the resolve of Monae Dabbriya Brown, head girl of Wakefield Primary and Infant School, and Roshaun Roxroy Lee of neighbouring Hastings Primary and Infant School, who emerged as the parish’s top female and male performers.

Brown, who turned 12 on July 19, copped the parish’s top female spot with an average of 96.7 per cent and earned placement at Montego Bay High School for Girls. Lee, 11, secured the top male position with an average of 94 per cent and will attend Munro College in September.

For both students, preparation for PEP was interrupted when Hurricane Melissa tore through their neighbouring communities, damaging sections of their schools and stalling the return to face-to-face classes.

“Hurricane Melissa made an impact on everybody. Although our teachers were still trying to put in an effort for us by giving us mock papers and doing everything they could, it was definitely a difficulty,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer.

Wakefield Primary resumed classes during November and December and organised extra lessons to help students make up for lost learning time.

“I attended most of the extra lessons,” Brown said.

Lee, who said he did all the extra lessons offered, plus Saturday classes, also identified the hurricane as the biggest obstacle he faced.

“It did a lot of damage. Part of the school was destroyed and we weren’t in school for a while, so we didn’t get to learn as much,” he said.

Lee credited additional classes and consistent practice for helping him recover academically. He spent a lot of time practising mathematics, which he said is his strongest subject.

Despite the challenges, both students entered the examinations confident they had done enough. For Brown, her only worry was the school where she would be placed. The young Wakefield resident has always been one to look ahead and she already has clear career ambitions.

“I’m thinking about being a nurse while also running my own cosmetology business,” she said.

Brown’s aunt and guardian, Sheree Dixon, who has raised her since she was a baby, said the PEP results fulfilled long-held expectations.

“From an early age we already knew she was that type of person. We expected her to excel. I knew she was going to get her first choice,” Dixon said.

Brown said the unwavering support of her mother, Shani Green, her aunt and other relatives kept her motivated throughout the preparation period.

“They believed in me and I believed in myself,” she said.

Wakefield Primary Principal Michael James hailed Brown’s achievement as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.

“I’m elated and humbled because Melissa impacted the school in such a devastating way,” James told the Observer.

“I’m really pleased that [Brown] was able to perform at the level she did,” he added.

James said her result reflected years of consistent excellence.

“She has been performing highly throughout the grades and, as head girl, demonstrated leadership as well as academic strength. This result is no surprise to us,” declared the proud principal.

Brown’s outstanding performance has already earned her several awards, including the Amy Forbes Scholarship, assistance from a Go Gas service station scholarship programme, and a book voucher from Councillor Jonathan Bartley (Jamaica Labour Party, Wakefield Division).

Meanwhile Lee, who resides in the neighbouring Hastings, Deeside, has been receiving his fair share of accolades including a one-time scholarship grant from a service club. His mother Alecia Wright, a teacher at Deeside Basic School, is grateful but anticipates that financing his secondary education will still be demanding.

Lee says his mom has been a big part of his PEP success.

“My mother helped me with work when I asked her and she also helped me with past papers. Some of the questions I saw in the exam were similar,” he told the Observer.

Wright said she always knew her son possessed exceptional academic ability.

“I didn’t have to pay special attention to Roshaun. Most of the time I taught the other children more because he has always excelled,” she said.

That confidence was shared by Lee, who said he confidently went into the exams and was not overly surprised by the results. With PEP behind him, he is now focused on high school. As for a career, he is still weighing his options.

“I don’t have a clear path of what I want to pursue, but I will think about it when I grow up,” said Lee.

Monae Dabbriya Brown displays her trophy at her graduation ceremony.

Monae Dabbriya Brown (second right) is joined at her recent graduation ceremony by (from left) her aunt, Kadia Pennicock; her mother, Shani Green; her cousin, Kavanna Pennicock; Michael James, principal of Wakefield Primary and Infant School; and her aunt, Sheree Dixon.

Roshaun Roxroy Lee (right) and his mother, Alecia Wright, at his recent graduation ceremony.

Roshaun Roxroy Lee displays his trophy at his recent graduation ceremony.