Georgetown Secondary makes history in National Scholarship awards

History was created for the Georgetown Secondary School on Tuesday when Kisha Sutherland was named as one of this country’s eight national scholars for 2009.{{more}}

Eighteen-year-old Kisha is a graduate of the rural secondary school located in the northeastern coastal town of Georgetown. The school was officially opened 10 years ago and she was the institution’s valedictorian when she graduated in 2007.

Kisha ranked third in the nation among the students writing the 2008/2009 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) and the Cambridge International General Certificate of Education (GCE) A’levels, and was the only student among the eighteen receiving awards not to have attended the St. Vincent Grammar School or the Girls’ High School.

The announcement of the names of the students from the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College who will receive awards based on academic excellence was made on Tuesday by Minister of Education Girlyn Miguel at a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Conference Room.

Kisha obtained passes in Law, Economics, Business Studies and Communications Studies. The daughter of Sharon Sutherland and Glenford Nanton, Kisha hopes to commence studies in Law at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in 2010.

The St. Vincent Grammar School, which this year is celebrating its 101st anniversary, however took the lion’s share of national scholarship awards. Five of the school’s former students, Aljay Massiah, Zeon Billy, Peter Marshall, Kimroy Walters and Rohan Daniel, were ranked first, second, fourth, sixth and eighth, respectively, when the results of the external examinations were evaluated.

Massiah, who will also receive the Prime Minister’s award for being the most outstanding student, obtained passes in Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Communication Studies. He is the son of Anthony and Jacqueline Massiah of Campden Park and has already commenced studies in Electronics Engineering at the University of Southhampton in the United Kingdom. His older brother Marcus was a national scholar in 2003.

In second place is18-year-old Zeon Billy. This young man, who has his sights set on pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance at the University of the West Indies next year, obtained passes in Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Sociology and Communication Studies. He is the son of Marilyn Joseph, and in 2003, his older sister Ranella also was also awarded a national scholarship.

In fourth place is aspiring lawyer Peter Marshall. The son of Hayden and Jennifer Marshall is very clear about why he wants to pursue studies in Law: “I like to argue!” he declared. The 18-year-old obtained passes in English, History, Law and Communication Studies. His sister Joann, now pursuing a degree in BioChemistry at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies received an exhibition award in 2007.

Kimroy Walters, son of Selmon and Mignan Walters of North Union, ranked fifth overall. The 19-year-old scholar obtained passes in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and General Paper and will, come January 2010, take up studies in medical science at the St. George’s University. He hopes one day to be a neurosurgeon because he is fascinated with the way “the brain coordinates every aspect of the body and it does most precisely…. I (also) want to better the lives of persons suffering from diseases associated with the brain.”

Rohan Daniel is the fifth graduate of the St. Vincent Grammar School to be awarded a national scholarship this year. The 18-year-old gained passes in Accounting, Business Studies, Economics and Communications. Although he is not quite sure what degree he wishes to pursue, Rohan is determined to forge a career in the financial sector. He is the son of Clifton and Elizabeth Daniel.

The other two national scholarship winners are both graduates of the Girls’ High Schoo, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2011. Veronique Walker, the daughter of Elizabeth and Verrol Walker, wrote Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Communications Studies and was successful in all of them. She plans to take a year off before attending the St. George’s University to study medicine. Veronique ranked 5th in the national results.

Alkeem Alexander, an 18-year-old from the town of Georgetown, is also a graduate of the Girls’ High School. She ranked 7th overall in the examinations written earlier this year.

The daughter of Martel and Junior Alexander, Alkeem obtained passes in Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Communications Studies. Presently teaching Mathematics and Chemistry at the St. Joseph’s Convent Mesopotamia, Alkeem hopes to go off to the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies next year to pursue a degree in Mathematics, with the hope of one day being a Mathematician. As she repeatedly said: “I just love Maths!”

The eight national scholars will receive five-year awards which will cover tuition and cost of living expenses at university. The national scholars are not restricted to any specific area of study. Last year, six persons received national scholarships.

Seven other young Vincentians: Nicanne Evans, Gian Thomas, Shernell Hadaway, Kshano Hazell, Vadeesha John, Lizanna Pollard and Shamir Francois have been awarded exhibition awards. They ranked 9th to 15th, respectively, in A’level exams and will receive three-year scholarships to cover tuition and cost of living expenses at university. Nine persons received exhibition awards in 2008.

Leon Walters, Annaza Simmons and Caywama Edwards who ranked 16th to 18th, respectively, will receive bursaries valued at $20,000 each.