Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer
United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange (left), chats with Anthony Alexander (right), a 17-year-old lower-sixth form student of Ardenne High School, and Renee Nesbeth, a lower-sixth former of Campion College, during a reception in recognition of Jamaica's participation in the 2006 Youth Science Leadership Institute. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
HARD WORK is the key to success. Two students from the Corporate Area have seen the fruit of their hard work, as they were selected to participate in the North American Youth Science Leadership Institute in Bartow, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. from July 11-26.
Anthony Alexander, a 17-year-old student at Ardenne High School, and Renee Nesbeth, a 16-year-old student at Campion College, have both been selected to go to the programme which will also include 43 other international students from the Western Hemisphere.
The students were selected based on criteria which included academic excellence in the field of science, as well as excellence in other areas, such as leadership and co-curricular activities.
U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Barbara LaGrange Johnson, praised the young Jamaicans and said their pursuits in the field of science were admirable, since most students have been avoiding that subject matter.
Coordinator of the pro-gramme, Angella Harvey, said the students were chosen from a group of students from five schools, and said their out-standing academic and personal achievements won them their places.
WELL-ROUNDED STUDENTS
"They are well-rounded students, not only academically but what they do for their schools and their communities," Ms. Harvey said.
She also said the students will do well in the institute as their qualifications bode well for them.
"When we contacted the State Department in Washington, the body that actually does the programme for the institute was overwhelming in their response at the selection of the candidates, as they were on par with the best in the region," she added.
Both students were gracious in their achievements and pledged to continue to work and excel in the Department of Science.
Alexander said he would be using the opportunity to show the world that Jamaican youths are as equally talented as any in the world.
"I'm very proud to have been chosen and I know many people all over the world have negative preconceptions about Jamaican young people, and I think this is our opportunity to show them what Jamaica is all about," he said.
Nesbeth, meanwhile, believes that being exposed to other cultures will improve her as a person.
"I always think that when you are exposed to other cultures it enables you to become a better communicator," she said. "I think if you understand how other people think you will become more patient and sympathetic to other causes."
