‘I didn’t believe it at first – I thought it was a joke’

When Kayrel Edwards emerged as valedictorian of her graduating class on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, she never imagined that just under two months later she would also lead this country’s students in their performance at the CXC Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations!{{more}}

Kayrel gained 12 subjects; all being grade ones. And 11 of those were distinctions.

She received distinctions in Chemistry, Biology, English A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Principles of Business, Social Studies and Spanish. Her other subject was French.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, Kayrel admitted that she was in shock at first when she accessed her results online.

“I didn’t believe it at first. I thought it was a joke,” she recalled.

“After I heard Mom screaming for half an hour, I believed it!” she laughed.

The 16-year-old added: “I feel good! All those who thought it was just a fluke when I got valedictorian, I can show them that I actually knew what I was doing.”

The Girls’ High School student said that she had to give up netball practice in the run up to her examinations, so that she could focus on her revision.

She also recalled how nerve-racking it was for her while she sat the examinations.

“I was constantly harassing the invigilators. I was asking for extra pencils,” she chuckled.

But the sacrifice and anxiety was definitely worth it for Kayrel.

Over the summer holidays, she worked for a month as a general assistant at Corea’s City Store, and is now enjoying doing absolutely nothing before the hustle and bustle of a new academic year returns.

Come September, Kayrel will be attending the SVG Community College, and intends to study the Sciences along with Math.

Although a career in medicine or engineering is her main focus, she admitted that television production also appeals to her.

As well as looking forward to the educational challenges that college will undoubtedly pose to her, Kayrel said that she is also anticipating making new friends.

She also hopes to make her mark at college level, as she has at the secondary level – clearly leaving big boots for her 9-year-old sister to fill in future.

“I feel sorry for her because she has a lot to follow!”

Kayrel is the daughter of Elmore and Kaleen Edwards of Calder. (JV)