Makaya inspired by her cousin

Ten years ago, Makaya Shonika Gumbs’ cousin, Kaela Barrett, placed first for girls and second overall in the Common Entrance Examinations.

This week, Makaya was overjoyed to learn that she was following in her cousin’s footsteps, placing first among girls and second overall in the 2018 Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA).

The Georgetown Government School student accumulated an overall score of 94.2 per cent and said she was elated to find out about her results.

After thanking God for her accomplishment, the 11-year-old told SEARCHLIGHT she gave up television and stayed up later at night just to study.

“I want to be an engineer when I grow up because I want to follow in my cousin’s footsteps,” she said.

Barrett revealed that Makaya’s results were extremely special because the preteen always said that she wanted to do as well as she (Kaela) had done.

“I’m glad that I can be a role model to her,” Barrett told SEARCHLIGHT. “I get so emotional … because I have never advocated for her to ‘be like me’.”

The aerospace engineering student added that Makaya’s “determinition and drive are unmatched” and she believes her cousin is destined for greatness.

Makaya’s mother, Diana Baptiste, also spoke of her daughter’s potential to do well, adding she was not surprised by the exam results.

“From pre-school, she was so amazing… I knew she had the potential because each teacher that tell me about her said she has the potential to make it to the top whenever CPEA comes around.”

Makaya hopes to attend the Girls’ High School.

Other top ten students attend the Kingstown Preparatory School, Windsor Primary School, St Mary’s Roman Catholic School, Calliaqua Anglican School, Troumaca Government School and Layou Government School.