KEVIN LEONG
ESHER, Hanover:
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD KEVIN Leong's 95 per cent average in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) has not only earned him a place at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, St. James, but also the Kraft Mathematics Scholarship for the county of Cornwall.
Kevin, a student of the Esher Primary School in Hanover, hails from Haughton Gardens in Lucea. He attained scores of 99 per cent in mathematics, 97 in science, 98 per cent each in social studies and
language arts and 10 marks out of 12 in communication tasks.
He is the second of three children born to Aye Aye Naing, a medical doctor, and father Batha Leong, a businessman, whom he said were "proud and happy" when the results were published.
I ALMOST FAINTED
"I was going somewhere when my father bought The Gleaner and we started going through it in the car," Kevin said. "I saw my name first. I almost fainted. I was surprised."
Kevin said his favourite subject is mathematics and that he hopes to become a cardiologist in the future. His hobbies include writing, reading, and playing football. He was also the captain of his school's champion GSAT Quiz team for Hanover and an active member of the school's Boys Scout Club.
He said that, in preparing for the GSAT, he dedicated two hours each day to studying each major subject, prayed and took a lot of rest.
Kevin's class teacher, Patricka Brown, described him as a disciplined and hard-working student.
"I expect that he will do well in his CXCs in another five years and go on to achieve his dreams because he is very dedicated," Ms. Brown said.
- Claudia Gardner
KEENAN FALCONER
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD KEENAN Falconer is a hard act to follow. Having won a Government scholarship to Ardenne High School and placed first in The Gleaner's Children's Own Essay Competition and second in the 2006 Gleaner Spelling Bee Competition, Keenan says there are more achievements on the horizon.
When Keenan got the news that he won a Government scholarship for his outstanding performance in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), he was ecstatic. "I screamed and ran and hugged my mother," he told The Gleaner "I was surprised because I was worried about some of my subjects."
Keenan said he was expecting high grades but they were higher than he had predicted. He scored 100 for language arts, mathematics, 98, social studies 98, science, 98 and 12 out of 12 for communication tasks.
NO REGULAR BEDTIME
A former student at Ardenne Preparatory School, Keenan said studying was the key to his success. He said he did not have a regular bedtime. He toiled until 11:00 o'clock most nights doing homework and research. He added that his parents and God played an important role in his success.
"Without the help of the Lord and my parents I couldn't have made it this far, and with them in the future, I'll make it even further," he emphasised with a boyish grin.
Son of Debbie Falconer, a banker, and Mervin Falconer, a financial controller, Keenan has plans in the pipeline to become Prime Minister of Jamaica or a pilot.
Mrs. Falconer said he has been fascinated with politics since he was four years old. His dream is to explore the world and meet new people.
Born under the zodiac sign of Leo, Keenan's favourite subject is mathematics and he enjoys swimming, playing golf, chess and running.
While at Ardenne Preparatory, Keenan was head boy and a member of the Builder's Club. He was also valedictorian at his graduation and received several prizes for his outstanding performance.
A member of Swallowfield Chapel in St. Andrew, Keenan lives by the philosophies, "It takes a lot to achieve a lot and hard work pays off."
- Petrina Francis
ORLANDO DOWLATT
BOUNTY HALL, Trelawny:
WITH ALMOST flawless diction and a gregarious personality, it is easy to understand why Orlando Dowlatt of Bounty Hall Primary School in Trelawny topped his peers with a 97 per cent average in the Grade Six Achievement Test to take the Horlicks Scholarship.
"How was it?" was the first question to Orlando, which was not intended to get a response but simply to break the ice.
"Good" would have been satisfactory but the forthrightness of his response would have you taken aback.
"It was easy, sir, most of the work was done in class, and I worked hard and knew the answers," was his reply.
His answer could well be construed as bragging, but in observing the youngster, it was clearly said in pure humility.
Orlando will be attending Cornwall College in Montego Bay, St. James.
WELL BEHAVED
Principal Juliette Moncrieffe endorsed his humility. "He is well behaved and his attitude towards the academics has been excellent from grade one."
While she had high praise for his grade six teacher, Fillmore Hall, Mrs. Moncrieffe commended the other teachers who had him over the years, including his early childhood teachers from Bounty Hall Basic School.
Mr. Hall singled out Orlando's willingness to help his peers. The teacher described him as "a teacher's joy."
"He has good study skills," Mr. Hall added.
His mother Elaine Dowlatt said that her son's drive for excellence extended to his household chores, which are done immaculately.
Orlando revealed that his main motivation is his sister, Natanya Foster, of the Palisadoes Cooperative Credit Union at Sangster International Airport.
He lists his hobbies as reading, playing football and 'chilling' with friends, and hopes to become a medical doctor.
- Richard Morais
