She was not placed at the school of her choice, but Somer Wilson will not allow that to distract her from working hard when she moves on to the Holy Childhood High School in St Andrew come September.

Wilson was among the four top students at the Maverley Primary and Junior High School in Kingston who performed well in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

The 11-year-old achieved 93 per cent for mathematics, 94 per cent for language arts, 93 per cent for science, 93 per cent for social studies, and 83 per cent in communication task.

"I didn't really want to go to Holy Childhood because it wasn't among my top-three choices, but that is what I worked for, so I had to stay with it," Wilson told The Gleaner. "The vice-principal said grow where you are planted. My mother said the same thing. I am happy nonetheless."

She also pointed to violent incidents that have plagued the Maverley community in recent times but indicated that with support from her family and teachers, she managed to push through the challenges.

"Violence was an issue as well as trying to balance work and rest because I had a strict bedtime. So when I got home late and had to study, it was very hectic."

David Minott was another top student at the Maverley Primary and Junior High.

He received 95 per cent in mathematics, 95 per cent in science, 98 per cent in social studies, 94 per cent in language arts, and 83 per cent in communication task.

"It was really hectic and hard. There were times that I had to stay up late, see my bed and wish it well," he declared.

He will be moving on to Wolmer's Boys School in Kingston come September.

The other top students are Jahsee Mullings, who will be moving on to St George's College, and Sevaun McKenzie, who will be attending Kingston College in September.

jodi-ann.gilpin@gleanerjm.com [3]

See more stories of GSAT success in NEWS [4] and see your copy of our congratulatory feature in today's print edition of The Gleaner