By Elvin Bailey
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Ms. Eslyn Swanston
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They were selected five years ago, based on their scholarship, their need and their inherent potential. We nurtured them, pushed them, mentored them, stood by them; encouraged them to be the best that they can be. They listened, sometimes politely, sometimes grudgingly. They answered in grunts, pushed up their mouths and half turned their backs. But they heard us. And now they have made the investment worthwhile.
Janique Pemberton, Kyra Evelyn, Chanella Nisbett, Erica Rochester, Tijay Dore, Sharessa Harrigan and Romancia Stapleton reached the zenith of their secondary education this past June and have passed 66 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), 27 with distinction. All eight students who would have completed their five-year programme leading to the CSEC, passed seven or more subjects, with Kyra passing the13 subjects which she sat, and Chanella obtaining nine distinctions within her haul.
At the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), we enjoyed successes from Casey Sargeant, Ariela Wilkinson, Ulinda Warner, Shanice Duberry, Tishima Browne, Rakiya Hamilton and Kezron Burt. Among them, we have passes in Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Accounting, Economics and Management of Business. There was one grade 1 (in Accounting).
Meanwhile, there are another set of eight High Schoolers coming through, who will hopefully shine in next year’s examinations. In fact, there is a cohort of students in every year, and has been so for the past 26 years.
Recall too that Mark Ceasar is at Ferris State University in Michigan USA, pursuing a degree in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning under the Robert Manning Technical Scholarship Award. At the University of the Virgin Islands, we are assisting Randall Thompson (majoring in Biochemistry), Dacil Heyliger (Business Administration) and Davin Francis (Psychology). And at University of the West Indies, Eavin Parry’s degree in Land Management is being assisted by Social Security. These latter ones are covered under the Stanley Amory Memorial Scholarships.
This year, another eight students entered the Susanna Lee High School Scholarship programme. They are Kyle Trotman of the Basseterre High, Romelo Davis of Verchilds High, Anchelle Hinds of Cayon High, Sheldon Richards to Saddlers High, Tianna Bowery of Washington Archibald High, Arnelle Williams of Sandy Point High and Kianno Fraser of Charlestown Secondary. The scholarship holder for Gingerland High will be finalised soon. 
We believe that our scholarships are different, especially the Susanna Lee High School Scholarship because we offer a mentorship as part of the offerings. Indeed, two mentors have been recruited to work with the students and periodic workshops are also held for them. Also, graduates of the programme, as senior scholarship holders as well as staff members, actually help tutor the students when they need help. Little wonder, therefore, that our CSEC distinction rate at 41% is better than that of the Federation’s as a whole.
Social Security joins with the Hon. Sam Condor in his capacity as Minister of Education - and as Minister with responsibility for Social Security - and all education officials to congratulate all of the students of all of the schools on their excellent performance. But we offer special congratulations to the students, the parents, the Scholarship Committee (headed by Ms. Eslyn Swanston), and to the Board of Directors of Social Security on the successes that have been achieved thus far.
Education is truly the key to our Nation’s success!
