CDA praises top achievers in state care
YOUNGSTERS IN state care continue to defy adversity and are using education as a means of catapulting themselves towards a brighter future.
Seventy-three wards of the State were awarded at the Child Development Agency’s Educational Achievement Awards Ceremony held at the Terra Nova Hotel, St Andrew, last week.
Seventeen-year-old Neyli-Ann Scott and Delano Malcolm ranked top among the lot of CSEC awardees at the gathering.
Malcolm, a graduate of Godfrey Stewart High School in Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland, is one such pupil using hard work as a key to unlocking success.
He attained seven CSEC passes – four grade ones, two grade twos and one grade three. He also had two distinctions in National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) auto mechanic (Levels one & two).
Malcolm has resided with his foster parents in Darliston, Westmoreland, since the tender age of three. The only child for his foster parents, he acknowledges that not a great deal is known about his biological parents.
“My current parents try the utmost best to motivate me for academic success,” Malcom said. He is now enrolled at Petersfield High School in Westmoreland as assistant dean of discipline. His aim is to become a teacher.
DIDN’T BELONG
Top female achiever Scott, a past student of St Hilda’s High School in St Ann, achieved five grade ones, two grade twos and one grade three. “No matter what you go through, everyone can achieve. Set your goals and go for them,” she encouraged other children of the State.
Scott is pursuing her associate degree in criminal justice at the Moneague College in St Ann.
Chief executive of the CDA, Rosalee Gage-Grey, told The Gleaner: “They’ve adjusted well and have converted the family support into good academic performances. We have seen improvement [move] up from 54 awardees last year. Children with foster parents tend to do much better.” From left: Attorney-at-law Derek Jones, CEO of Sagicor Richard Byles and Minister of Education Ruel Reid share a moment at the Jamaica College’s inaugural PTA Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held last Wednesday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.