Manchester student tops in Jamaica

Published: Saturday | March 7, 2009

Sheri-Ann Peckham - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Sheri-Ann Peckham of Manchester High School is "likkle" but as we would say in Jamaica, "shi tallawah".

This 16-year-old outscored her peers in the 2008 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations, gaining 12 ones.

Yesterday she walked away with the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) prestigious title of best overall performer in CSEC.

"I am definitely happy because I worked hard and prayed a lot and that has paid off in the end," Peckham told The Gleaner yesterday, following a Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) splendid awards ceremony at St George's College in Kingston.

The soft-spoken student continued: "I studied hard and remained focused and was not easily distracted".

clubs

While preparing for CSEC, Peckham was also a member of her school's Spanish and science clubs.

Peckham who turns 17 next month is currently a sixth-former at Manchester High, where she is pursuing subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.

She intends to move on to university to pursue studies in medical science.

Lori-Ann Vaz of Wolmer's High School for Girls was the second best performer in the island, while Jeremy Hall of Glenmuir High was third.

Campion College was named the top school for both CSEC and CAPE.

The top three students for all subjects in CAPE and CSEC were also presented with awards.

Nadine Molloy, president of JAPSS congratulated the students on their outstanding performances.

In his remarks, Doran Dixon, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association encouraged the awardees to continue striving for excellence.

Guest Speaker, Donna Duncan-Scott told the students they were powerful and were able to pursue excellence.

CXC' Pro-Registrar for the Western Zone Office, Glenroy Cumberbatch also lauded the students for their achievements.