Jhenelle's eyes set on justice

Western Bureau:

For Jhenelle Small, student of the Manning's School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, her achievement of nine grade-one distinctions in the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations is just one step on her journey to becoming a lawyer, a dream she has had since childhood.

"Ever since I was a child, I have always been interested in justice," said 17-year-old Jhenelle.

"Everyone has been telling me that I would make a good lawyer. My mother always let me read the laws of Jamaica, so I am a bit aware of everything already. So I guess it is just for me to go and study and do the best I can."

Jhenelle has already proven that she will do her very best to fulfil her ambition, as she sat 10 subjects at CSEC - mathematics, English A, social studies, human and social biology, English B, history, Spanish, geography, office administration, and principles of business.

Of those 10 subjects, the only one she did not get a grade-one pass in was history.

Study schedule

Describing her study habits before the exams, Jhenelle said she stuck to a study schedule even while she was involved in extra-curricular activities at school.

"I always ensured that I did not wait until exams to study. I always had my study schedule that I stuck to, at least two hours a day, and my parents supported me through that," said Jhenelle. "I am also very involved in extra-curricular activities, where I sing on the Manning's School chorale, and even though I do practise all the time and go to practice every single day, I ensured that my schoolwork was always balanced out with it."

Jhenelle's next step is to enter sixth form at Manning's, after which she will attend university and pursue a law degree.

"My plan is to go to sixth form at Manning's, where I will pursue at least four or five Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) subjects and, after completing both units of CAPE, I will go to the University of the West Indies to pursue law," said Jhenelle. "I plan to pursue law out here first, and hopefully get a scholarship to Harvard University or Yale."