Mount Salem youth secures 10 ones in CSEC – Aspires to a career in medicine

“Great men walk on stars” and 16 year -old Rashaun Stewart, Cornwall College student hailing from the crime-stricken community of Piggott Street, Mount Salem, began his trek to greatness when he notched ten ones in the recent sitting of Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate, CSEC.
He earned grade ones in Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, English A, English B, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Principles of Accounts and Principles of Business. He also has a grade one in Human and Social Biology that he obtained in the 2016 sitting of the CSEC examinations.
“To be honest, the results weren’t entirely surprising. I was confident in myself and certain that the Creator wouldn’t let me down,” Rashaun commented. “Besides that, I know what I’m capable of and what I did during the exams.”
Raised in a quaint little home, the young man apportions credit to his mother, father, grandmother and late great-grandmother for their key roles in defining his formative years. His family has always been supportive of his actions, and they have compelled him to perform even better at all turns.
He apportions credit to not only his family, but also the teachers who have assisted him on his journey. “There are several teachers who motivated me to excel, chief among them some sterling educators from CC. Teachers like my Biology and I.T. teachers, along with some others, have all played their part in pushing me towards these results.”
Rashaun created a study timetable which he stuck to rigidly, eliminating watching of television from his schedule, occasionally pandering to WhatsApp during study break.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
In addition to his academic precocity, Rashaun is also very active in co-curricular activities. He participates in an exhaustive list of clubs and societies, including, but not limited to, the Debate Society, Science and Environmental Club, 4-H Club, Interact Club and Peer Counselling Society. He also bears several leadership positions – such as Student Council Representative and Sub-Prefect – but chief among them is his post as Junior Mayor of Montego Bay.
“It’s very hard to balance my co-curricular activities with my academics,” Rashaun admitted. “At times, the stress became overwhelming. I felt like giving up many times along the way. But I’d always say a quick prayer in those times; begging Jehovah for guidance and strength.”
The Cornwall College student revealed that his accomplishments have made not only his family proud, but his community at large. He related that his acquaintances and well-wishers expressed elation at his accomplishment.
“The overall atmosphere has been genial, and everyone’s happy at the result. Right now, I’m looking towards the future. My prospects have broadened considerably with this result, and a lot of new options have opened up for me.”
In the future, Rashaun aims to become either an orthopaedic surgeon or a cardiologist. When asked why he chose those career paths, he had this to say:
“The human body has always been very interesting to me. Orthopaedic surgery is my first preference, since it’ll enable me to not only learn quite a bit about the inner workings of the musculoskeletal system, but it’ll also provide a platform for me to help people. Cardiology will do the same.”