Congrats to scholars

OUR SINCERE congratulations go out to students who have won either Open or Additional Scholarships in this year’s Cambridge GCE Advanced Level examinations. There is no need for us to emphasise the fact that these scholars not only exemplify what is best in our young people but that they also inspire us with hope in the future of our country. The results of the examinations in fact show that TT is able to produce scholars who can rank with and even outperform the best in the world in all the different disciplines.

In our concern about the nation’s youth and their problems of indiscipline, we often see the need for exemplars and standard bearers. It is refreshing, then, to note that, in our many scholastic achievers, such exemplars and strandard bearers can come from the ranks of young people themselves. They demonstrate to their peers that, as teenagers, they can pursue their dreams with discipline and commitment without becoming “bookworms” sacrificing their interest and their enjoyment in other fulfilling activities. This year, we must commend St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain, and Naparima College for the exceptional results the schools have achieved in these examinations. Students of St Joseph’s have won a total of 16 scholarships which include one of the President’s Medals. According to a justly proud Principal Elizabeth Crouch, St Joseph’s performance this year was “really incredible.” Naparima College has copped 15 scholarships including the other President’s Medal. It is interesting to note reactions of President’s Medal winner Summer Alston-Smith when we interviewed her about her outstanding success. The charming teenager confided that she never experienced any pressure from her parents with regard to home work and assignments. “I am a work-hard, play-hard kind of person,” she declared. Summer noted also that she had attended all her classes.

Kevin Singh, winner of the other President’s Medal, who is studying Actuarial Science in Canada, is described by Principal Maureen Attwal as “a mixture of brilliance and humility” who was always willing to help other students with their work. Attwal also makes a significant observation: “I think the learning climate we created here at Naparima College and the dedication of teachers who give of their extra time have indeed paid off.” We expect that all our scholarship winners will appreciate the fact that public funds are paying for their education, to the extent of attaining their professional goals and, as a result, they have a responsibility to pay back the “debt” by serving their country. Finally, where the achievement of scholarship winners should serve to inspire other young people, the success of the “prestige schools” should also present a challenge for other schools to do better.