They too have achieved

Just as happened with the top achievers of the SE A, so it will be for the CSE C and CAPE high achievers: They will be celebrated — as well they should. But there is a group to whom little attention is paid, though they too, have achieved.

These are the students not regarded as top performers.

However, they deserve to be commended. They have sat in the same classes as the high achievers and were required to meet the same deadlines on their assignments. They sacrificed sleep, family outings and a social life in general in order to study. They too, attended private lessons or disciplined themselves to the rigorous assistance of friends and family members who utilised every spare moment to coach them just to ensure their success.

They cannot boast of making the Scholars’ List. They will not be asked for interviews. They will remain unknown to the national community. But they performed well nonetheless.

These are students who months before the exams (and their parents and teachers could attest) would have out rightly failed or barely passed, but by applying themselves and embracing the support given, were able to improve their scores in the exams to a more than satisfactory level. They have every reason to be proud.

They worked hard. They persevered.

And they too have achieved.

Among them as well is another group that has excelled.

These are students who did not perform as well as they could or would have liked because of ailments on the day of the exams or because of continual challenges with chronic health conditions. These are students who had to keep focused in the midst of grave illness or the sudden passing of loved ones.

These are they who held after- school jobs and returned home late and exhausted to do homework and study, sometimes for exams that were in a few hours’ time. And what about those students who come from dire poverty, leaving home without proper meals, from environments of continual strife, yet prepared and presented themselves for their exams? These are the determined ones who did not let adversity of any kind stand in their way of achieving and though they did not scale the accepted pinnacle, they know as well as their families and teachers, that they excelled. These are special students. They achieved in the midst of very difficult circumstances, securing the opportunity to progress.

They are not considered top performers, but they showed tenacity, a strength in character that some parents with children in better circumstances wish their children would have. Congratulations to all you SE A, CSE C and CAPE students who can relate to any of these categories. You too, have done marvellously. Rejoice in the fruits of your labours.

Sandra Edwards via email