Damario sets his sights on Harvard Law School

Damario Patterson outdid his expectations when he earned 11 ones in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this year.

The 16-year-old student of the St Catherine-based St Jago High School scored 10 straight As and one AB profile to emerge the top performer at the school in this year's examination.

He aced mathematics, English language and English literature, chemistry, principles of accounts, social studies, history, Spanish, French, information technology and religious studies.

Damario took up information technology two weeks before the final exam and was able to get a grade one. He told The Gleaner that he was determined to do 11 subjects and to get the highest grade in each.

"I aimed to get a perfect score even though I was severely handicapped by not having an electronic device such as a laptop to work with. It required me to stay back at school very late sometimes," stated Damario.

He said that his parents could not afford to buy a laptop for him, or his twin brother Damary, who passed nine subjects with eight ones and a two.

According to Damario, his inspiration came from a character on television who said: "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but we are capable beyond the measure."

"That resonated with me and triggered even more determination in me. I knew I had to approach life different. I developed this mindset that I can do anything I set my mind to do," said Damario.

"Coupled with my strict study regime [and] my supportive parents and teachers, I wanted to live up not only to my expectations, but [to the expectations of] others in the community as well," he added.

Damario, who wants to become a lawyer, said he will be going on to sixth form but plan to seek scholarships to go to United States-based Harvard Law School.

His mother, Olivia Williams, and father, Constantine Patterson, both expressed joy and elation, stating that they feel blessed and will be throwing all their support behind the twins.