Success is sweet at any age - 30-year-old and 12-year-old share delight of CSEC passes

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Yvonne Page, 30, smiled broadly as she contemplated her success in the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

Page was the eldest of nine residents of Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine, to be successful at the exams this year.

"I went to Porus High but I did not graduate as I left before time. So I am really glad to have passed these subjects, " Page said.

But she doesn't plan to stop now. Page plans to keep studying and aims to tackle her most dreaded subject, English, which she was unable to conquer this year.

Meanwhile, 12-year-old Leann Lewis, also from the community, picked up a distinction in English language.

"English has always been my pet subject, therefore, I was confident that I would do well," Lewis, a first-former of Glenmuir High, said.

The success of both students was achieved with the help of the Blackwood Gardens Lifelong Learning Centre in the community.

The centre, which is operated by Lascelles and Shirley Lewis, has a total of 35 persons from age three to 30 on roll.

"We have been running this little institution on our own," said Shirley.

The couple told The Sunday Gleaner that the idea to operate the centre came about as a result of the high illiteracy rate around the community.

"We believe education is very important. It helps to develop the community, it gives a great feeling to know your work has paid off," Shirley said.