Violence can't kill MoBay student's love for math

Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer

GROWING UP in one of the most volatile communities in western Jamaica, 13-year-old Aston Harris knows what it means to make every step a calculated one.

A mathematics prodigy, calculating comes easy for the first-form Cornwall College student, who never passes up an opportunity to challenge himself in any area of mathematics.

From the tough community of Salt Spring, St James, the young prodigy recently emerged the island's top grade-seven performer in the 2011 local National Mathematical Olympiad; a competition put on by the mathematics department at the University of the West Indies.

"I was grateful for the opportunity to enter so I could show off my talent," according to Harris, who said he has now risen to star-like status in his community, and among his peers at school, coming out of the competition.

Growing up in a community that is known for some of the most vicious crimes in western Jamaica, Aston's first experience with crime came with the murder of his father when he was just six years old.

His latest chronicle of the impact of crime on the community where he grew up came in April last year with the vicious slaughter of five persons, who were shot and killed by gunmen and their house set ablaze. The killing last year drew national attention from all sectors of society, and saw community residents cowering in fear.

"I remember it was a Sunday morning. When I went there, there were spent shells and police everywhere," Harris disclosed.

Good grades

But despite losing his father at an early age, growing up in a single-parent home, and living in one of the most volatile communities across Jamaica, the outspoken Harris said he has always managed to maintain high academic standing, particularly in the field of mathematics.

"I am always working hard … . I first found out that I was really good at mathematics when I sat the grade four numeracy exam and got 52 out of 60."

He said his conviction was cemented when he sat the Grade Six Achievement Test two years later and copped a 98 per cent in the subject area.

His mother, Veronica Morris, while acknowledging that the murder of her son's father has taken a heavy toll on the family, says she is still thankful for her son's achievement.

"Sometimes it is really rough on us, only God knows what we go through, because I am not working, but I am happy for his achievement. From basic school he has always loved his book," his mother said.