Former state ward tops region in CAPE financial services studies
Published:Saturday | December 17, 2022 | 1:28 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
Megais Simpson has placed first in Jamaica and sixth in the region in this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Unit 2 financial services studies.
The 20-year-old now has under his belt 17 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) passes – eight at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level and nine CAPE units.
“At first, I was thrilled, knowing [that] I came first in Jamaica, but I was really aiming for that spot in the region, not sixth. However, falling short is really my fault and being placed sixth despite only studying for four days before the exam [has] open my mind to what’s possible with a longer and more technically planned study session,” the St Elizabeth Technical High School alumnus said during a Gleaner interview.
Simpson, who is from Beadles Drive in Santa Cruz, is a former ward of the state who lived at the Windsor Lodge Children’s Home in Manchester.
At the age of two, he was placed in state care because his mother was unable to care for him because of mental health challenges.
“My motivation used to come from hurtful memories, but that fuel has run out,” he said.
The youngster noted that he now has a fresh perspective and his wounds are now healed, giving him the motivation and optimism to excel in his academic pursuits.
With a life philosophy stating that “finance is life”, Simpson said it is important to save by investing, diversifying, and taking risks.
“As for who’s my motivation, spiritually, Pastor Johnson, minister of religion of the Santa Cruz Church of Christ, ... and most importantly, Mrs Sandra Holness, vice-principal of the St Elizabeth Technical High School. Mrs Holness is not just a motivation, but also a mother to me,” he said.
A dreamer, critical thinker and calculated risk taker, Simpson stated that most of all, he is a believer in Christ.
Simpson was one of 10 students who received the Children of Jamaica Outreach, Inc (COJO) scholarship award. The New York-based Jamaican charity presented him with US $3,500 from a sum of US$40,000 awarded to offset expenses for their tertiary studies.
He is looking forward to getting his a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Banking and Finance as well as a BSc in Statistics.
Simpson is currently a part of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency’s (CPFSA) Transitional Living Programme (TLP) for children in state care.
The programme was implemented jointly by the CPFSA, the Caribbean Child Development Centre (CCDC), and The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.
Every year, approximately 700 young people are discharged from Jamaica’s child protection system at the age of 18. Of this number, close to 300 youth actually leave at age 18, as many are not confident about their readiness to exit state care and do not make a successful transition to independent living.
Over the years, the CPFSA has been assisting youth in their transition to independent living through the TLP after recognising the need for additional support and guidance for wards.
Additionally, it reduces risk factors such as unemployment, crime involvement, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy, among other factors associated with low education, job skills, inadequate life skills and poor self-esteem.
Under the TLP, youngsters are exposed to different pathways to aid in their readiness for independent living. These include life skills coaching, entrepreneurship, vocational and technical skills training, housing accommodation for two years, as well as tertiary enrolment.
This is being done through private-public partnership at tertiary institutions, including the UWI Open Campus, The Mico University College, St Joseph’s Teacher’s College, and others.
Simpson credits the programme for helping him to secure a place to live after high school, which was his biggest worry.
“By the grace of God, CPFSA and TLP [came] to my rescue ... . I will forever be grateful,” he told The Gleaner.
Simpson is encouraging students who may encounter challenges to study smart and “compete with the yesterday you”.
Among the other Unit 2 CAPE subjects in which Jamaican students placed first are history awarded to Campion College’s Anthonya Knight; agricultural science topped by St. Elizabeth Technical High’s Sue-Ann Coombs; animation and game design, awarded to Jamaica College’s Joel Henry; and food and nutrition, which saw Jahmeliyah Simon from Wolmer’s Girls’ School coming out on top.