By Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
Smith
WESTERN BUREAU:
STANDING JUST over four feet tall, 12-year-old Montego Bay Preparatory student, William-Andrew Smith, has already decided on a career path. He wants to become a genetic engineer.
"Science is interesting to me," said William-Andrew. "The best (career) choice for me is something to do with genetics. There are a lot of genetic diseases and technology is becoming more advanced so that by the time I can get a job I may be able to cure AIDS or even cancer."
An acute asthmatic, William-Andrew admits that his condition is but one of the many reasons for his choice in career.
"I don't want people to suffer the way I did a few months ago," he said. "I kept having asthma attacks, having to come out of school over and over and the doctors couldn't tell what was triggering my asthma."
A pleasant young man, seemingly relaxed with a quiet smile on his face, William-Andrew now has to carry a cell phone, in case of emergencies, and walks around with a blue waist bag containing his inhaler (for his asthma), permanently attached to his waist.
"My mom (Mrs. Dawn Smith) really doesn't want me to be out of her reach," he said. " If she goes anywhere out of town she takes me with her."
Despite his bouts of illness, William-Andrew has managed to consistently maintain a position at the top of his class: "I was fourth once," he said. "But most of the time I am either first or second." Principal for the school Ferris Gordon-Wilson lauded William-Andrew for his achievement thus far and like his family and peers is convinced that he will become a scientist one day.
"He's been with us since he was three years old," she said. "He wants to be a scientist and no teacher can slip up with him when it comes to Science. He reads extensively and when other children would be watching cartoons he is watching the Discovery Channel."
"He is one of the top persons in the class," continued Mrs. Wilson. "Being absent for a number of days because of his asthmatic condition, he has been able to manage an average of 90 per cent and over."
A member of the Fresh Bread Ministries congregation, William-Andrew says he is sure that God is looking out for him in all that he does and that his conviction is part of what drives him to succeed.
"My motto is: I think, therefore I am," said William-Andrew, who added that he would recommend it to anyone who would listen. "It helped me in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). In Grade, four it helped me in the literacy exam and in Grade three it helped me with my diagnostic test."
Having just completed his GSAT examinations, William-Andrew has his sights set on either attending Campion College, Cornwall College or Munro College. However, he is not sure where he will end up. "My Mom wants to transfer me to Irwin High School (which will open for the next school year) because they say that it is going to be a model school and she wants the best for me," he said.
