'I was completely shocked' - Gabrielle Hines

Anastasia Cunningham, News Coordinator

Immaculate Conception High School student Gabrielle Hines was in awe when she found out she got ones in all eight subjects she sat in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

"My friend and I were speaking about results that night and she told me they were out. So I went on the computer that night secretly to see what I got. When I saw the eight ones, I was completely shocked. I had to count again. I started laughing, then I went to tell my Mom and my Dad and my brother. It was really an exciting moment," she told The Gleaner yesterday.

"I was praying that I would get them, but I was preparing myself if I didn't, but I am really happy that I did and I feel blessed that I did."

She said her parents, Hugh and Patricia Hines, were not at all shocked.

"My mother said she was expecting it. They are so happy and proud," she stated.

Gabrielle, who sat English language, English literature, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics and information technology, noted that she was both pleased and relieved that the late nights, hard work, extra lessons and excess studying paid off.

"I am glad and very thankful for the motivation and support from my family and friends, who were pushing me along when it was hard. Of course, I could not have done anything without God. He is truly awesome and truly helped me through this stressful period where I had to be studying non-stop," she stated.

Noting that she feels confident that her future is set and all she has to do is keep working hard and believing in God, the teen is now preparing to move on to sixth form in September, after which the University of the West Indies to begin studies towards a career in medicine.

"With God's help, I know I will get to where I want to get in life," she said.

Gabrielle's advice to those preparing to sit CSEC next year is to hit the ground running.

"It is really a lot of work and sometimes you don't get to finish the syllabus but, if you put in the work by yourself, you really will succeed. And if you have a good support system and faith in God you will do well," she shared.

anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com