News

Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

With an average of 97.4 per cent, Britney Campbell is not only the top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) student at Mount Rosser Primary and Infant school in St Catherine, but is probably among the island's top performers, this year.

Her teacher, Cordella Edwards, told the Gleaner that her outstanding performance was not surprising, as she has been a consistent, hard-working and disciplined student.

"She is humble, very consistent in her work, she is disciplined and she knows what she wants. She stops at nothing to get her work done. If it means staying with me until 7 o'clock in the nights in the computer room to get her work done, she stays," Edwards said.

According to the teacher, Britney is not afraid to challenge a point or a teaching strategy, if she feels it is necessary.

"She is a student who produces challenges and I love that because, the truth is, it keeps me abreast and it helps me to be focused, and at the same time, tells me that I need to keep digging for new information," she said.

A calm but proud Britney, eager to don her Dinthill Technical High uniform, said in preparing for GSAT, she always ensured that she read ahead of the class, especially if she knew the upcoming topics.

She also pointed to the consistent support she received from her uncle, teachers and past and present principals.

However, Britney's mother, Opal told The Gleaner that she showed signs of brilliance, even before she began infant school.

"I used to have to draw things, like apples and write the names and numbers beside them. Another thing, she always wants a book and pencil, that is long before she started to go to infant school." she said.

Poor family background

Britney's humble background did not make her GSAT journey one without challenges.

With tear-filled eyes, Opal, who is also the school's janitor, outlined one of several obstacles Britney had to overcome to achieve success.

"Over a year now I don't have any electricity, because I cannot afford the electricity bill, so she has to study with lamp or candle. That doesn't stop her from studying because all 1:30 at night sometimes you wake up, you would find her sitting on the floor and studying," Opal asserted.

While acknowledging that her daughter's father, a farmer residing in another parish, is very supportive, she admitted that in most instances making ends meet was extremely difficult.

"Plenty morning she doesn't drink tea, but she still go to school and nobody knows," she said.

Career goal

Despite the challenges, the 11-year-old, who aspires to become a criminal lawyer, said there was a significant factor which has kept her on the path to achieving success.

"When I saw how my mother was struggling with my other two sisters and me, I just said I am not gonna come out like her, I'm gonna come out better and make her proud," she said, as tears rolled slowly down her cheeks.