Bequia lass continues to shine and cops Prime Minister’s Award

Kerese Cozier made a significant mark as one of the first students in the history of the Bequia Anglican Primary School to achieve a perfect score of 100 per cent in Mathematics. Seven years later, she graduated from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), with passes in eight Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) subjects and, on Thursday, October 24, 2024, she was announced as one of four persons receiving the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award.

During her first year at college, Cozier pursued Communication Studies, Biology Unit 1, Chemistry Unit 1, Physics Unit 1, and Pure Mathematics Unit 1. In her second year, she expanded her studies by taking Spanish Unit 1, Caribbean Studies, and Integrated Mathematics, complementing her foundational science subjects.

While at college, Cozier was actively involved in extracurricular activities, including the Performing Arts Society’s modelling group and co-founding The Intellect Collective Club (TICC).

Effective scheduling was crucial to her success; however, she occasionally underestimated the time required to complete assignments or study for examinations. The daily commute from Bequia to the College had become a routine over the years, and she used that time on the boat to prepare for exams and assignments.

In advice to fellow students preparing to write CAPE subjects, Cozier emphasised the importance of avoiding the urge to procrastinate during college due to the breaks between subjects, and the absence of constant oversight from lecturers.

Reflecting on her experiences, Cozier noted that the challenges presented by CAPE were less challenging than those of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), where she achieved grade one passes in all 14 subjects in 2022 as a student of the Girls’ High School.

It was a record year for the all-girls secondary school, as five of its students emerged as the top performers in the country.

Cozier has a strong interest in the medical field, driven by her inquisitive personality and a desire to explore various aspects of medicine. She aspires to become a researcher and developer of medicinal treatments. Although she has not yet decided on a specific area of medicine, Cozier said she plans to apply to the SET programme this year to gain practical experience and a clearer understanding of which field aligns best with her interests.

From an early age, Cozier exhibited a strong commitment to her studies, and her mother, Resabel Chambers, an educator, often encouraged her daughter to take breaks from studying even during school vacations.

While both Cozier and her mother anticipated gaining a national scholarship, they were pleasantly surprised by the receipt of the Prime Minister’s Award. Upon learning that four individuals were being considered for the award, Chambers however, was confident that her daughter would be among them.

Cozier said receiving the scholarship serves as a significant motivation for her; not only easing the financial burdens associated with higher education, but also establishing a standard of performance that she is dedicated to upholding, given the merit-based nature of the award.