Laura Matthews & Ross Sheil, Gleaner Writers
( left - right )JOHNSON and GORDON
GENERATING GENIUS, a new project offering Jamaican and British schoolboys the chance to become the doctors and scientists of the future, is set to begin on July 24.
It is being sponsored by Dr. Tony Sewell, a British educator, the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), the Gleaner Company Ltd., through its various publications, including the UK-based Voice newspaper, in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. Generating Genius aims to select 10 Jamaican schoolboys and a further 10 from Britain, to participate in the scheme. The scheme is the brainchild of Dr. Sewell, and offers an annual four-week summer camp at the UWI (July 24 to August 20).
The boys, who must currently be in first form or grade seven, will reside on the Mona campus and will be treated as medical students, said Dr. Sewell. Each room will be shared by one Jamaican boy and one British boy. Further studies to be taught by UWI staff, will be offered to Jamaican boys on several weekends of the year and at half-term. Here's a bit about five of the 10 Jamaican participants.
Ryan Johnson
RYAN JOHNSON is no ordinary 12-year-old. Not only is he among the 10 male students chosen for the Generating Genius programme, but this young man has a book in the making.
At the tender age of seven, Ryan sat at home watching television with his mother, fascinated by a documentary of doctors performing various medical operations. He was hooked immediately.
"I applied for the Generating Genius project so that I could learn more about being a doctor, and it could help me a lot in my progress in becoming a neuro-surgeon," said Ryan.
Noticing his commitment and interest, Paula Cross, Ryan's mother, realised that her son was destined to become a doctor.
"After seeing his interest, I went out to buy the book Gifted Hands by Ben Carson (for him)," said Ms. Cross. " I read a different chapter to him each night,".
Ryan, a student of Campion College, is extremely focused. At the institution, Ryan received second honours for two terms. A second honours means that he scored a maximum of 80 per cent and over in all subjects.
But, despite his riches in education and a mother there to guide him, Ryan remains humble.
"I describe myself as intelligent. There is a lot to me ... I am complicated, and I have a lot of stuff doing for my age," said the young genius.
His book is called Huntrex - named after one of the characters and is yet to be completed.
Antonio Sahadeo
LOVING - THIS is the first word that left the lips of Antonio Sahadeo's mother, Angella French, when she was asked to describe her son.
Antonio is one of the 10 first formers who has been chosen for the Generating Genius programme.
"I always wanted to become a research scientist," said Antonio.
He also told The Gleaner that he spends most of his time at home studying, and that the sciences capture most of his study time.
Ms. French, a teacher at the St. Catherine High School, said she allowed the future genius to apply for the programme himself, after being told about it by his aunt, Pam Douglas.
"He has a strong family support and he reads a lot," said Ms. French.
The parent said her child is a fanatic of the Discovery and the National Geographic channels, and is very ambitious.
Temar Christie
TEMAR CHRISTIE is not just a budding scientist, he is quite a nifty piano player as well.
The 12-year-old student of Glenmuir High School in Clarendon was ecstatic when he learned he had been chosen to participate in the Generating Genius programme. And so was his mother. "We were over the moon when we found out. It is such a wonderful opportunity," exclaimed young Temar's mother, Winsome Christie. The small family from Four Paths in Clarendon was so excited that packing for Temar's trip started the moment he learned he was selected. But Temar is no bore. Though he studies quite a lot, the young brainiac makes sure he finds ample time for his favourite pastimes - riding his bicycle and playing cricket.
Sheldon Reid
THE DEATH of his father four years ago pushed Sheldon Reid of Knox College to strive for the best in life.
Having been chosen for the Generating Genius programme, it seems Sheldon is well on his way to greatness.
"I was overwhelmed as I always encouraged him that education is the way to go, and not the name brand," said his mother Karen Doman.
Sheldon has always been fascinated by the forensic sciences, and watches mostly criminal investigation movies and reads as many science texts as he can get his hands on.
"Because I like science very much and I want to have a good career, I chose to apply for the programme" said the teen. This, after his mother saw the advertisement for the Generating Genius programme in The Gleaner.
The determined teen further added that the death of his father sparked in him a determination to do well at his studies and to achieve greatness. Simply put, he wants to know that his father would have been proud of him.
Darrieux Gordon
AWESOME AND mature are two words Verna Owen used to describe her 12-year-old son Darrieux Gordon who is a student of Kingston College.
He was chosen as one of the 10 students who will participate in the Generating Genius programme.
"I love to read and my intelligence made me want to become a scientist," said the calm-spirited Darrieux.
His father, William Gordon, said he always reminds his son that nothing beats a try but a failure.
"I feel good ... but it is just the beginning," said the proud father.
Describing his son as brilliant from birth, Mr. Gordon said Darrieux tries to emulate him, and that his mother helps him through, but never pushes him too far.
Darrieux had experienced a major heart surgery at the tender age of two. Since then, all his time has been spent in his science books.
His mother said that as a parent she tries to teach by example, so she constantly reads with her child. This she believes, made Darrieux "awesome and mature" for his age.
Carson Brown
CARSON BROWN said he has a very inquisitive mind. It therefore came as no surprise to his parents that he was chosen to be a part of the Generating Genius programme.
This 12-year-old said he felt great about being accepted and that he is positive his essay just blew the judges away.
"At the interview I made a good impression on the people and they liked my essay ... I'm inquisitive," he said.
In his essay, he told the judges that if chosen, he could make a significant contribution to Jamaica and the world.
This was no surprise to Carol Simpson, his mother, who said Carson showed keen interest in the sciences at a tender age.
"He gets a lot of help at home ... we are always one topic ahead of the class," she said. She is also a teacher.
Winston Brown, Carson's father, said as a parent he feels happy that his child has a guaranteed future.
"He looks at television (National Geographic Explorer etc.) and reads books. He is very interested in these things," he said.
