Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
BLAKE
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
WHEN 17-YEAR-OLD Kurt Blake sat the CSEC exams earlier this year, he had no doubt that he would pass all nine subjects. But what shocked him was that he would pass them all with distinction.
A highlight of this major achievement was the distinction gained for music, a first in the history of his school, York Castle High.
He was also successful in biology, chemistry, English A, geography, physics, mathematics, information technology and Spanish.
Born on June 8, 1988, Kurt is the proud son of Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector Segree Blake, of the St. Ann Health Department, and Education Officer Faye Blake.
Kurt attributes his success to the guidance he received from his parents. "I received a scholarship from the St. Ann Credit Union as a GSAT student at Brown's Town Primary ... Throughout the years my parents have always been pushing me," he explained. "They are up at nights with me studying, so the support was definitely there, and without that kind of support I would not have been able to do well."
HALLMARKS OF THE FAMILY
But brilliance and high performance are hallmarks of the Blake family. One of Kurt's sisters recently graduated from medical school in Cuba with honours while the other gained her master's degree recently.
The York Castle whiz, who is aspiring to become an orthodontist, said he is also a devout Methodist.
But if one thinks Kurt's a library-bound bookworm, think again.
"I am like any normal boy," he said, laughing. "I play the piano, I love to play chess, I play board games, video games, surf the Internet and going out at times with friends."
