St James 2009 Spelling Bee Champ scores high in GSAT

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

ADRIENA CRIBB, the 2009 Spelling Bee Champion for St James, is again gunning for a place in the spotlight with an overall average of 97.8 in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) to be the top student at Eber Preparatory School.

An elated, but somewhat disappointed Adriena told The Gleaner that while the overall examination was easy, she was let down by Social Studies.

"The GSAT was quite easy. Social Studies proved to be a challenge as it veered from the regular curriculum, which put me off a bit, but outside of that it was moderate test."

For her, rattling up good grades takes some effort and discipline, which is helped along by a good study group.

"We had study groups in class which helped as we would ask each other questions on the lessons we learnt earlier in the day so we would know it by the end of the school day."

Model student

For her exploits, Adriena who serves as head girl has earned a place at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School. She aspires to become a scientist and a chef, but for now being an actress will do.

Her mother, Television Jamaica reporter Latoya Johnson, was excited about her daughter's performance, saying that Adriena is a child that performs well in everything she does.

"I am an elated mother. She is a wonderful child. Adriena is self-motivated and possess a voracious appetite for reading. She reads around the clock, reading a book per day, she even uses the light from the cellphone when there is a power outage," said Johnson.

"She writes very well and has a very scientific mind she loves to explore and is excited by every living thing. It is scary as when you are running away from insects or bugs, she is running towards them."

Her teacher Bethlyn Fletcher describes her as a model student - very dedicated, studious and responsible and well-disciplined.

"She is a student whose behaviour does not change because of peer pressure, she is a godly child who reads a lot. She is involved in speech, drama, dance football, you name it she does it."

Deputy head boy Emilio Johnson struck an average of 92 to be top boy at Eber Preparatory. For him GSAT was an easy test.

"I had a challenge with the Social studies bit for everything else I did well."

Emilio aspires to become a medical doctor or a scientist and enjoys football tennis and reading.

barrington.flemming@gleanerjm.com