Morgan is top performer at MVAA in CSEC exams

Contrary to popular belief, a student does not have to attend one of more “prestigious” schools to be among the top national performers in the CXC Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination – and 16-year-old Rhonique Morgan is proof of that!{{more}}

A student of the Mountain View Adventist Academy, Rhonique achieved eleven grade one CSEC passes with eight distinctions; which makes her performance among the top five in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2011.

“I was shocked – almost in disbelief – when I received my results,” she admitted.

“It was almost unreal that there were all ones on the online pre-slip. Obviously, I was excited, screaming and jumping up and down!”

Rhonique gained distinctions in Biology, Chemistry, English A, English B, Office Administration, Food and Nutrition, Human and Social Biology, and Social Studies; and grade ones in Information Technology, Mathematics and Physics.

Rhonique’s success is undoubtedly sweeter because she and her family moved to SVG from Barbados in February 2010 – which means that she only joined the MVAA in Form 4.

Previously, she attended the Barbados Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School.

“The transition was extremely challenging,” she related.

“Especially having to adapt to an entirely different environment and having to leave my friends of over 10 years. Eventually it became easier, but it was a challenge!”

The Harmony Hall resident added: “ I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith in God, hard work and perseverance; and my parents who always supported me, and ensured that I had a comfortable environment to study in.”

Undoubtedly, her parents, Claudius and Rhonda Morgan, are extremely proud of their daughter.

“Rhonique has always been a very focused student, even when she was in elementary school,” said her mother.

“We have always said to her that it does not matter which institution she attends, as long as she settles down and works hard… we never doubted that she would do well!”

Rhonda said that they have always opted to enroll Rhonique in Seventh-Day Adventist educational institutions, because of their belief in Christian education.

She added: “Her performance is testimony that a student can excel anywhere. The entire family is extremely proud of her.”

Rhonique’s father agrees with what his wife said.

“I never had to tell her to go and study. In fact, I would often have to go to her room and tell her to go to sleep!” he recalled.

“She rises to challenges, and even though she could have been daunted by unnecessary comments and situations, her attitude was that she was giving this her all, and making her parents proud.”

And with such good grades in the science subjects, it is no surprise that Rhonique’s next step is to attend the University of the Southern Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago), which is her parents’ alma mater, to pursue a degree in Biology.

“I plan to become a paediatrician, and one day operate my own clinic.”