WESTERN BUREAU:
Tasheka Young, the deputy head girl at Savanna-la-Mar Primary School in Westmoreland, numbered among the top 10 students from the institution who were placed at their high school of choice based on the recent Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination results.
Young, who has her eyes fixed at serving her country as prime minister, will attend The Manning’s School when the new school year begins in September, adding that she harboured no doubt that she would have got her school of choice.
“I had absolutely no doubt that I would get the school of my choice simply because I believe in my philosophy that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said an elated Young.
She told The Gleaner’s news team that she wants to serve her country and people first in the field of politics and medical science in her adult life.
Young earned an overall score of 347.4, this after scoring 353 in mathematics, 350 in science, 353 in social studies, 347.4 in language arts and 97 in ability.
Her mother, Monica Rodney-Young, expressed similar sentiments about her daughter’s school of choice and her career path.
“I believe in her, and like her I had no doubt that she would do enough to secure placement at Manning’s School,” Rodney-Young said.
De-Asia Thomas, a prefect at Savanna-la-Mar Primary School, was equally elated to be among those who had been placed at The Manning’s School and other prominent high schools across the parish.
“I am happy I was placed at my school of choice like so many of my fellow classmates and schoolmates,” Thomas said.
“It is another example that if we put in the hard work that is required, we can all achieve what we set out to do,” she added.
Thomas secured an overall score of 337.6, with scores of 355 for mathematics, science 338, social studies 353, language arts 338 and 97 in ability.
Her mother, Samaya-Gay Wallace, says the family is not altogether surprised as this was expected.
“De-Asia is self-driven and I know she would do well in getting her first choice,” said Wallace.
Megan Berry-Scott, principal of Savanna-la-Mar, says most of the 183 students who sat this year’s Primary Exit Profile examination are at pathway one, meaning they are independent learners and will not require additional intervention.
“Of the 183 that entered 60 per cent of them are on pathway one … of that total, 10 per cent of them would have gone to traditional high schools such as Manning’s School, Hampton High, Mt Alvernia High, (and) Munro College,” Berry-Scott noted.
Interestingly, she revealed that a large cohort of those who sat PEP chose Belmont Academy as their first choice, and have received their heart’s desire.
“A large per cent were placed at Belmont Academy. This school, along with Manning’s, has been a preference choice among our students,” she explained.
“Those who live within the town of Savanna-la-Mar prefer to travel out of town for school and so they chose Belmont Academy,” Berry-Scott added.