'I knew it' - GSAT top girl says she expected to be star student
Published:Friday | July 15, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter
When Jeneil Green of Vaz Preparatory heard she was the island's top girl in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) she took the news calmly, uttering the words "I expected it".
The Ministry of Education officially announced the scholarship placements late yesterday afternoon, revealing that Jeneil and Janvier Marshall of St Richard's Primary, were the top performing girl and boy in the country from any school type. Both received Scotiabank Foundation Shining Star Excellence scholarships and will be attending Campion College.
"When I went to the Ministry of Education, they told me that she was the top girl and not only that, but she is also the top student in the entire island for the GSAT," Jeneil's mother, Deonne Green, boasted.
Jeneil was only one mark short of getting a 100 per cent average score in the exams. She received 100 per cent in English language, social studies, integrated science, communication task and 99 per cent in mathematics.
Not surprised
A confident Jeneil said she was not surprised by the results.
In fact, she said she would be surprised if she was not considered the star GSAT student.
"I am very happy because I knew I could have done it. I worked hard and it has paid off," she told The Gleaner.
Jeneil thanked her mother and father, Courtney Green, as well as her teachers for her success.
She said she had been working towards a scholarship since the fourth grade and expected to do well since she had maintained an A average.
"My goal from grade four was to do well and be on top and so I knew from then that I had to work hard," the top achiever told The Gleaner.
Now that GSAT is behind her, Jeneil said it is now time for her to catch up on recreational activities.
"I will be taking a break by relaxing and enjoying some fun moments with my friends," she said.
But that won't be for long as the scholar said she will be preparing to tackle high school work, so that she can do well and achieve her dream of becoming a paediatrician.
Deonne said she was extremely proud and pledged to continue working with her daughter so that she can continue to do well.
"I am feeling good. She has been doing good from kindergarten, but I still did not know that she would have done so well and I see her as being very successful as she is full of confidence," she said.
Declined to speak
In the meantime, Janvier's family declined to speak with the media as they soaked in the news.
Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory, with five government scholarships, and Hopefield Preparatory, with four, emerged with nine of the 28 boys and girls awarded Government scholarships.
Eighteen of the 28 will be attending Campion College.
Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory received additional honours with Thant Hoe picking up the Scotiabank Foundation Shining Star County scholarship for Surrey and Jacqueline Wang winning the Kraft Food scholarship for the same county. They will both be attending Campion.
Scholarship winners
The Ministry of Education yesterday announced the winners of 28 government GSAT scholarships. Here are the top schools making up the scholarship list.
Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory - 5
Hopefield Preparatory - 4
Mona Preparatory - 3
St Andrew Preparatory - 2
Montego Bay Christian Academy - 2.
Additionally, Sts.Peter and Paul Preparatory and Mona Preparatory both received two private scholarships.