Students from Hampton School in Malvern, St Elizabeth, break from discussions about their recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination success during avisit to the institution by The Gleaner this week. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

DESPITE COMING from various backgrounds, the girls from Hampton School hold a few things in common - they believe in the value of education, managing time effectively and having good Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination results.

They achieved the latter indeed, as all 29 girls who sat this year's CSEC at the Hampton School received grades of six ones or more, with each sitting at least eight subjects.

Neatly decked out in their blue and white sixth-form uniforms when The Gleaner visited the school this week, the girls attributed their success to hard work, dedication and careful instructors. Some praised their friends, some their religious faith and all their parents.

Top performer at the St Elizabeth school, Michelle-Ann Johnson, said her school has instilled in her discipline and an endearing spirit which propelled her towards her success. Michelle sat 10 subjects and received all ones with a straight-A grade profile. Setting her sights on the fields of food engineering or forensic science, the 16-year-old gave 'props' to her parents and her faith.

"My motivation has always been my parents and the support they have given to me. I am a Christian, so I get a lot of strength from knowing that God is always with me wherever I go," she said.

The girls also shared various techniques that brought about their success while imparting advice to other girls their ages who undervalue education.

Gateway to independence

Shantol Roye, 18, who received eight subjects with seven distinctions, said the examination process was challenging as she tried to cover all her notes, but was happy as education, to her, is a way out. Tatiana Answer, 16, said constant studying was the antidote for her examination troubles and an education was the gateway to independence. She received eight CSEC distinctions, as well a credit in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination.

Candice Medley, 17, believes hard work pays off and is rejoicing over her nine subjects with seven distinctions which she believes will hasten her upward mobility in life.

Aiming for maximum ouput

Johnson summed up the value of education for her peers.

"Education is what will carry you wherever you want in life and so I believe that every young person should be well educated to reach whatever goal it is that they have," she said. "Because many times it is the education which puts you above others who are in the same group as you."

Evol Beckford, vice-principal at the all-girls school, pointed out that the reputation the institution has reaped over the years was due to its emphasis on getting the maximum out of the girls.

"For one, the mantra we live by goes 'Don't speak to us about potential, speak to us about performance' and second, we instil in them the fact that it's not a matter of competing against 177 girls here. We are talking about Jamaica, the Caribbean, the world."

These girls - Shannell Stewart, Diandra Thompson, Keniesha Bennett, Ciedella Bent, Deina Biggs, Ashley Samuda, Rochelle Braham, Nicolette Box, Toni-Ann Suburan, Nahay Patrick, Genniel Dixon, Ashana Roach, Lora Holness, Colleen McKenley, Ava-Gaye Nichols, Ashley Simpson, Krystal Locke, Christina Locke, Dianalyn Swaby, Katrina Watson, Lorena Richards, Tatiana Answer, Aye Asantewaa, Shantal Roye, Candice Medley, Samantha Rose, Sandrine Bailey and Michelle-Ann Johnson - are well on their way.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com