Toni-Anne Mason - On top of the world

Jamaicans normally say that 'yuh glad bag buss' when a person seems to be extremely happy. Well, in the case of Toni-Anne Mason, 17-year-old Ardenne High School student, she can take full credit for obliterating her mother's. Mason, who recently sat her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, pulled off eight subjects. The passes boasted seven distinctions and one credit.

"When I saw the results, I was on top of the world, but I'm slowly coming down back to Earth now," said Sandra Johnson, Mason's mother. "I remember she came home twice and told me that she didn't get to finish two exams because time ran out on her and I was a bit worried, but she still got the distinctions."

Mason boasts distinctions for English A, mathematics, biology, chemistry, information technology, principles of business and Spanish. She received a grade two for physics.

Johnson had no reservationsin expressing her happiness at her daughter's accomplishment, highlighting that since her early years at Ardenne 'her baby' Toni-Anne, was destined for academic greatness as she was on the principal's list from first to fifth form.

As for Toni-Anne, she hopes to pursue a career in the field of medical science and starts sixth form at Ardenne High School this term.

Paul McFarlane - Plans to make his own unique mark

Seventeen-year-old Paul McFarlane thinks outside the box. It's that kind of mindset that has kept his options open regarding his career goal. A sixth-form student at Ardenne High School in St. Andrew, Paul was successful in achieving 10 distinctions in an interesting mix of subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate. The subjects include the sciences, business and linguistics (French and Spanish).

Paul said based on his foresight in choosing the subjects he did, he could either become a doctor or an actuary. Whichever one he chooses, he plans to make his own unique mark. While agreeing that there is currently a very low demand for actuaries in Jamaica, Paul says he would change this.

"If I decide to become an actuary, I would own my own business and seek to change the current culture so that companies would understand the importance of forecasting as part of their business plans, in order to assess risks involved in setting up a business. This could also tremendously benefit the economy," he stated.

Paul's medical practice would also be different from many of the existing ones.

"I want to be the kind of doctor who provides service to the less fortunate and also develop a closer relationship with patients. With that type of quality service, more people would want the service I offer, which would lead to expansion of my business," he reasoned.

Nicole Ferrier - Loves a good argument

Nicole Ferrier says she loves a good argument and she loves business, attributes that she is convinced will make her a good lawyer. A sixth-form student atthe Merle Grove High School, she intends to practise corporate law and has no doubt that she will succeed.

"I am dedicated, so when I put my mind to something, I will achieve it!" she stated confidently.

She was successful in eight subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, four with distinctions. However, Nicole revealed that she did not use any particular studying technique to achieve those results.

"I just read a lot and browsed the Internet. I read anything I could get my hands on," she said with a laugh.