high flying student credits hard work for 10 start performance
Published:Sunday | November 16, 2014 | 12:05 PMJodi-Ann Gilpin
Janique Lee, a sixth-form student at Campion College, was among several students recognised at the National Caribbean Examinations Council's (CXC) 2014 Awards Ceremony at St George's College last Friday.
Lee gained 10 distinctions in the May-June 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations and was among the top 10 students in Jamaica in five subjects and top 10 in the Caribbean in three subjects.
The 17-year-old described her journey as a challenging one, but says with a strong support system, she pulled through.
"I really pushed myself during that time and I am proud to say I have accomplished what I wanted. I have even surprised myself," she said.
"Things started on a bad note because I had French first and it wasn't the best experience, but I pulled myself together so as to ensure that I was in the right frame of mind going into the rest of my exams and I made it," she said.
Lee gave credit to her family and teachers, who made the workload easier. The sixth-form student also encouraged students not to be daunted by the pressure.
"I owe all of this to my parents. They have really been there for me. There were times when I was at the end of my road, but my mother would always remind me of my purpose and reassure me that the task can be done," Lee told The Gleaner.
"Time flies, and so the time you sit worrying, you are actually wasting time. Get the work done because before you know it, the exams are over," she said.
Her mother, Dr Aldrie Henry-Lee, told The Gleaner that it was a proud moment for the family.
"Janique is very focused and self-motivated. I don't have to tell her to study. She knows what she wants, and she works towards it," she said.
"I want to encourage parents to give a lot of hugs and kisses. It works. It's not so much about the material things, but a simple text during the day letting them know that you love them goes a far way," she said.
Andrew, Lee's father, echoed similar sentiments and urged parents to offer their full support during examinations.
"Don't rush them; encourage them. Reassurance is what they need during this time, so I challenge every parent to give of their best and also encourage your children to create a balance," said the proud father.