Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Cecile Palmer (right), principal of Holy Family Infant and Primary School in central Kingston, congratulates her student Tashana Blair, after she earned the prestigious Scotiabank Foundation Scholarship for being the top performing student in the county of Surrey.

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Tashana Blair of Holy Family Infant and Primary School, which is situated in the crime hotbed of central Kingston, made history for her school when she was given the Scotiabank Foundation Scholarship for the highest performer in Surrey - the first such national award for her school.

Tashana, who will be attending Campion College in September, told The Gleaner yesterday she was stunned when she got the news of her achievement.

She said she was on her way to the bathroom when her mother delivered the good news.

"I was like, 'you're lying'," Tashana said with a smile.

"When she really looked serious and told me to ask my aunty, I started to scream."

She said she screamed so loud, the neighbours had to go over and find out what was happening.

Tashana scored 99 per cent in mathematics, 98 per cent in science, 99 per cent in social studies, 99 per cent in language arts and 10 out of 12 for communication task.

The 12-year-old attributes her success to hard work and dedication and the encouragement she got from her teachers.

Studied really hard

"I studied really hard. I like to lock myself in the bathroom and sit on the floor and study because it is very quiet in there," said Tashana.

The high achiever said she expected to continue doing well when she goes to Campion College. She said she was looking forward to starting school as her best friend would also be going to Campion.

"I hope to find lasting friends and, of course, do well in CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations).

Her teacher, Nicholas Mullings, said he was excited when he heard Tashana was the top performer in Surrey.

"I am ecstatic and overwhelmed," said Mullings, who has been a teacher at the school for just over 12 years.

He said Tashana was very humble and dedicated.

"You cannot get it any better in terms of a total package for a student," Mullings said of Tashana.

Tashana said she is guided by the philosophy, "Never limit your challenges, but always challenge your limits".

Her mother, Angelete Blake, was equally happy when she was informed about her daughter's achievements.

"I feel excited because I really struggled with her without a father. I am so proud of her," said Tashana's mother.

Blake described her daughter as a shy child who studies very hard.

There have been several incidents of violence in the volatile central Kingston, between warring factions. This at times disrupts activities at the school.

A pleased principal

Cecile Palmer, principal of the school, was in a celebratory mood when The Gleaner visited the school yesterday.

"I am totally elated. This is really a good feeling," Palmer said.

She added: "After what we went through over the past months and then to get this scholarship - to God be the Glory".

Tashana is one of four students, from the August Town Primary and Holy Family schools, with whom The Gleaner spoke last week, after they got word of their exceptional GSAT results.

The four students excelled at GSAT despite the violence that affected their communities during preparations for the examinations.

The full scholarship list is expected to be published early next week.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com