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Girdhar and Leilani : GSAT bright sparks of Mt Alvernia Prep

Published:Thursday | June 21, 2018 | 12:00 AMChristopher Thomas /Gleaner Writer
Christopher Thomas
Girdhar Chuganey (fifth from left), the top male GSAT student at Mt Alvernia Preparatory School in Montego Bay, and Leilani Eaton (fourth from right), Mt Alvernia Prep's top female GSAT student, with their parents and teachers in front of the school sign. Also pictured (from left): Girdhar's parent,s Prakash and Jaanvi Chuganey; grade six teacher, Lorna Cohall; Principal Theresa Cherian; grade six teacher, Ethle Samuels, and Leilani's parents, Lillibeth and Michael Eaton.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Girdhar Chuganey and Leilani Eaton have distinguished themselves as the top students of Mt Alvernia Preparatory School in Montego Bay, with their respective high grade averages of 99 per cent and 98.8 per cent in the final sitting of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

Eleven-year-old Girdhar, who will be attending Campion College in Kingston and who aspires to become a software engineer, is no stranger to academic excellence, having previously distinguished himself as the top boy in last September's St James Spelling Bee Competition, in which he copped third place.

"I feel very happy and excited about my academic success," said Girdhar. "I was very happy when I got my GSAT result, although I didn't expect it that high."

Meanwhile, 12-year-old Leilani represents the latest generation of her family to have gained academic fame at Mt Alvernia Preparatory, with several relatives having previously attended the 92-year-old institution. Her most recent predecessor was her cousin, Isabella Wong, who passed the GSAT with a 96 per cent average in 2016.

 

Happy

 

"I am very happy with my result and also by the fact that I beat my cousin, who scored 96 per cent in GSAT," said the soft-spoken Leilani, who will be attending Mt Alvernia High School. "I felt excited when I got the grade, although I expected it."

Principal Theresa Cherian credited both students' respective successes to their dedication and the support received from their families.

"These are two very bright and intelligent children, and they have the home support that they need for success. With home and school working together, success is bound to happen," said Cherian.