JUSTIN James, a 17-year-old high school student of Kingston, is the recipient of numerous certificates and awards for academic excellence and [civic] performance. He is presently moving into Upper 6th form and hopes to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering at the University of the West Indies. His academic performance, to date, has been excellent.
He is the envy of the average student.
Many measure their achievements against his. According to Justin, "if they get equal to or greater than I do, it is a big achievement for them."
Personally, he believes that his role model has to be a man. His mother, he says, is admired and respected for her sacrifices and hard work, but does not serve adequately as his role model. "A boy needs a father to emulate and a girl needs her mother," he insists.
"When I was in Prep. School, I was happier because my father was active in my life. I was more or less at the top of my class and was quite active in extracurricular activities. After a while, my parents were unable to afford my fees, but I was allowed to continue because of my performance."
His father, he said, disappointingly, has fallen from the status of role model for him. "The only thing I would want is his charisma."
Justin entered First Form with the perception that he should study and forget about making friends. He thought that they might cause him to lose focus and he had a standard to maintain.
But, by Fifth Form, he made friends with most of the class and still maintained his grades.
"Throughout the forms everyone treated me like the head of the class. For instance, if the teacher asked a question, they would expect me to answer and if I didn't or didn't know the answer, it was a big deal," he said.
The most scary part of being 'crowned' a role model for Justin is the fear of not living up to expectations. He said, "knowing that if you don't maintain your reputation, you become nobody; that's what scares me the most."
He is involved with the environmental activities at his school, but says religion prevents him from taking a more active part in the programmes. Most of the activities take place on a Saturday and he is a Seventh Day Adventist. However, he says, "I believe that religion is important and if you believe in something then you should stick to it."
For Justin, his life is no longer a private entity. He is given the task of remaining on the pedestal on which he was placed, by virtue of his scholastic performance.
Initially, he enjoyed the fact that he maintains the highest marks in his school and that it is a challenge for others to follow in his footsteps. Now, there are moments when the idea is overbearing. "If I get a low mark," he says, "the whole school knows."
He also says that he is constantly bombarded with calls around examination time, with students asking for study tips or wanting to study with him. While not unwilling to help, he knows that even though he has a gift of grasping and applying quickly, he has to work very hard.
His advice to students is: "the most important thing is that you pay attention in class."
Name changed as requested.
