'I would like to be my own boss'

Kimesha McDonald plans to take the road less travelled. She intends to open her own business when she completes her studies.

"I would like to own a clothing line as well as a spa," she told The Gleaner.

It appears that Kimesha is very serious about achieving those goals. Having achieved eight subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, she is now pursuing economics, management of business, accounts and communications studies at the advanced level. Those subjects should prepare her for becoming an entrepreneur and not just creating employment for herself, but for others.

"I like to be very independent and I like to be my own boss. Be on top of things," she stated confidently.

While Kimesha's mother said she was not surprised by her daughter's academic success, Kimesha told The Gleaner that one particular result was unexpected.

"I was surprised that I got a distinction in mathematics, which is not really my favourite subject. However, I really worked for the other results, so those did not surprise me," she revealed.

Kimesha attended Meadowbrook High School where she will be returning to complete her advanced level studies.

'I had all the confidence in the world in her'

Donique Parris, a 16-year-old student of Campion College in St. Andrew, achieved 10 distinctions in this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

Her mother, Sandra, said she wasn't surprised by her daughter's success. "She has always been a hard worker and has consistently done well at school. She was the top GSAT student at Holy Childhood Prep. And now, she's the top CXC student at Campion. I had all the confidence in the world in her," she said.

Donique is now attending sixth form at Campion College and has her eyes set on becoming a linguist, even though she has a love for the sciences.

"She's doing the science subjects and Spanish in sixth form. If it was possible, she would have taken French as well. She loves those two languages and is nearly fluent in both of them," her mother said.

Donique plays netball and hockey and is a member of the Inter-School Christian Fellowship.

A noteworthy achievement

From speaking with Juliet Brooks, mother of 17-year-old Kenroy Brooks, it would be fair to conclude that Kenroy's report card, like many other male students, frequently read he "has the potential to do better", even though he may have done fairly well.

Kenroy, a student at Excelsior High School recently sat his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams where he was awarded six subjects: social studies (credit), English A (credit), information technology (credit), religious education (credit), mathematics (pass) and accounts (pass), a noteworthy achievement.

While pleased at her son's accomplishment, Juliet still believes that he had it in him to do better. Kenroy is currently enrolled at Quality Academics, taking steps towards pursuing a career in business and computer science.

We want to hear from you!

Do you have or know of someone who passed six or more subjects in the 2007 Caribbean Examinations Council's CSEC examinations? Email us with name and other contact information, including telephone number: editor@gleanerjm.com; or fax: 922-6223.