Kemoy Smith receives the governor general's award during a recent ceremony at the jamaica Crest Resort in Fairy Hill, Portland. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Despite losing his father at age nine, and his only brother in August, youth recipient of the Governor General's Achievement Award, Kemoy Smith, forges ahead and maintains an excellent academic record.

The 19-year-old Ardenne High School graduate is currently in the United States attending the Kettering University, where he is studying chemical engineering.

Smith's ambition is to pursue a career in the medical field; he has already been accepted at the University of the West Indies, Mona to study medicine.

The teenager's love for the sciences earned him a second and third-place ranking island-wide for his performance in the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council's Chemistry and Biology exams.

He also received a trophy from Ardenne for having the highest marks in Chemistry.

At Ardenne, Smith served as deputy head boy and was also a member of the the prefects' association.

His extra-curricula activities included, serving as vice-president of the French club, secretary of the science club and captain of the volleyball team.

At the community level, Smith has given voluntary services to the Bustamante Children's Hospital, and the Seaview Gardens Youth Council.