( L - R ) WHYTE, CREIGHTON, THOMPSON and ROBINSON
RACQUEL WHYTE
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD RACQUEL Whyte, the top female student in this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), says she was speechless after hearing the news of her achievement.
"I was only hoping to do very well, I wasn't expecting to be the top girl, but it was a very pleasant surprise," a humble Racquel said. "I think I am ready (for high school) but sad to be leaving my friends behind, but I am excited as it is going to be a new experience."
A past student of the Immaculate Conception Preparatory School, Racquel will be going on to the school of her choice, Immaculate Conception High School for Girls.
HAMESH CREIGHTON
WHEN 11-YEAR-OLD Hamesh Creighton, of St. Peter Claver Primary School in St. Andrew got the news that he won the Marcus Garvey Scholarship based on his scores in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), he was astonished.
"At first I didn't believe it. But when the news sunk in I started to hug my mother and my family," Hamesh told The Gleaner yesterday.
The young Capricorn attributes his success to the assistance he got from his parents, teachers and friends. He also noted that his rigorous studying method, and the extra classes he took, were contributing factors.
"They all helped me with my studies, and gave me tips," he said.
Bound for Campion College, Hamesh said he was looking forward to the challenges he will encounter at the school.
HOUSTON THOMPSON
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD HOUSTON Thompson is the first student from the Montego Bay Christian Academy to receive a Government scholarship for outstanding performance in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
Houston was among ten students from the institution's fifth batch of students who sat the 2006 exams.
She received the Government scholarship to attend the Montego Bay High School for her outstanding overall average of 96.7 per cent.
"I'm happy. Actually I'm quite shocked," she told The Gleaner. "I'm still finding it hard to believe that I actually have a scholarship, so I'm kind of in wonderland right now."
KEVIN ROBINSON
FOLLOWING PERFECTLY in the footsteps of his two older siblings, who were recipients of Government scholarships for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), 12-year-old Kevin Robinson of the Mount Alvernia Preparatory School in Montego Bay has won a third for the family.
But he is not merely a scholarship winner, he is the 2006 GSAT all-island top boy.
"After I did my homework I would review all that I did at school for that day, and all that I did days before," he said. "I also looked over tests that I did and, if I got any questions wrong, I would look them over so I don't make the same mistakes again."
He will be attending Cornwall College in September and remarked that, when he got the news, he was extremely happy.
