14-y-o whiz kid gets distinctions in maths, add maths

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

Fourteen-year-old Shaynel Hines of Titchfield High School has pulled off an impressive feat by securing distinctions in mathematics and additional mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.

Shaynel, who hails from the community of Sommers Town in Port Antonio, Portland, sat the exams just over two months ago while in grade nine.

Mathematics teacher Tyreke Anderson, who has been guiding Hines since grade seven, noted that while many senior teachers were stunned, Shaynel’s incredible performance in securing straight As in both subjects come s no surprise to him.

The youngster’s mannerism, determination, application, and resilience, Anderson noted, were the driving forces behind her success.

“When I approached her mother, Ann-Marie Weston, seeking her permission for her child to sit both subjects, she was hesitant. But with some amount of convincing, she agreed,” Anderson told The Gleaner.

“It was always going to be a challenge because now she had to compete with having to do external and internal exams back to back. As for the student, she was willing to take up the challenge, and I knew that she had it in her to do well. During the COVID era, she was the most attentive student online and she spent hours upon hours learning the formulas and different topics, so it was quite obvious that she was going to do well,” the teacher added.

Anderson said that after consulting with senior teachers as to whether they were in support of Shaynel doing mathematics and additional mathematics at the same time, he was cautioned against registering her for both subjects.

“A lot was at stake ... . I was told not to do so as she was too young, and I agreed in some sense, as CSEC is really designed to [assess] students at the grade 11 level. And so I took the decision to enter her and I waited for the results, which was satisfactory. She has done the impossible,” he said.

STRONG SUPPORT

Shaynel’s mother, Ann-Marie Weston, proved to be her biggest supporter, who somehow managed to motivate her even when she complained about not wanting to continue or harboured thoughts of skipping the additional mathematics exam.

Weston said that she quietly sat Shaynel down and reminded her that she was an achiever and that her brain was young and it was the best opportunity to test herself.

“She had a strong support base, comprising her grandmother, grandparents that are living overseas, teachers, peers, and people from the community, who all believed in her,” Weston pointed out.

“I never know that she was going to pass the add maths, so I promised her an iPhone 12 Pro. When the results came out and she shouted, ‘Mommy! Mommy! A one!’, I jumped up and started to scream, and then I said to my daughter, ‘Check again’.

“I am so proud of her performance ... . The entire community is pleased and I am so grateful for all the support,” she added.

Principal Richard Thompson described Shaynel’s performance as “simply brilliant and historic”.

He said it speaks to the kind of programmes available at the Portland-based school, paving the way for students to sit CSEC exams as early as in grades seven, eight, and nine.

“I am elated and I wouldn’t say this is customary. Other students would wait until grade 11 to do their CSEC subject, but at Titchfield, we have students attempting subjects as early as grade eight,” said Thompson.

“I feel extremely proud and I would want to get a greater appreciation as to what or who she would credit for this performance. We want to think that she might be a genius in maths or it is a result of her teacher. We have not been doing well in mathematics, but we have always performed well in the sciences, and this is a national issue, where the passes or grades for maths is not very high,” Thompson noted.

Shaynel told The Gleaner that she remained focused as there was little or no room for error.

“I put in a lot of hard work and I was online at late hours, up to 11 p.m. each night. I have to big up God as He took me to it and He also brought me through it,” she said.

“I knew what I wanted and I know that I have to aim for it and work for it. ... It was a lot of hard work and dedication. I have to appreciate my teacher and my family, who stood by me,” Shaynel added.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com