Anna Regina Multilateral excels at CSEC examinations

– aspiring civil engineer tops county, Pomeroon girl shines

By: Indrawattie Natram

The Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has excelled at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, making it to the leading secondary school within the region.
Copping top spot for the school and the region, with 15 Grade One’s, is Keval Lall, 17, of Anna Regina Village. Lall was elated throughout his interview with Guyana Times and related that he is aspiring to become a civil engineer.

Lall, who is the son of the owner of the popular “Lall’s General Store” in Region Two, said that he could not have done it without the overwhelming support of his mother, uncles and siblings. He accredited his success to extra studies and lessons he took leading up to examinations.
Lall is the third child of his parents and described his siblings as his role model. He intends to further his career at Nations University. His advice to those sitting CSEC next year is to study, listen and understand what is going on within the classroom. He also used the opportunity to extend gratitude towards his teachers at ARMS.
Lall’s mother Nalene Lall attested that her son was always a well-grounded child and said she is proud of his successes. She explained that she knew he would have done well at examinations but didn’t expect him to top the county. The mother thanked the teachers for their contributions towards her son’s success.
Pomeroon girl shines
Ateisha Brandt, 17, of Friendship, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two, has defined the true meaning of determination, sacrifice and courage when she received her CSEC results. Brandt attained 14 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Two’s, gaining the second position in the Region. She wrote 17 subjects at one sitting.
She explained that the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) is yet to release the grade for Office Administration, the only grade that she has outstanding.
Brandt who hails from the Pomeroon River travels daily to Anna Regina to attain a secondary education. She said although it was a tedious and expensive process, she is glad she did well.
During an interview with this publication, Ateisha attested that it was the blessings of the Almighty that stood beside her throughout her five years of studies at secondary school.
Explaining her challenges, she related that her study time was limited, since most of her time was taken up in travelling.
“I usually start travels from 7:30 in the morning and rush for school, my nights were long, trying to finish my studies and assignments; unlike those who live on the Coast I had to hustle” Brandt related.
When asked why she did not utilise the school’s dormitory, the ardent Brandt said that she wanted to study in a more focused and conducive environment, close to her parents. She stressed that the dormitory would not afford her the opportunity to do the things she wanted to do.
She further related that she also needed resources such as books, internet and other necessities and the dormitory was not providing such.
Brandt said she is aspiring to become a physiologist, but explained that for her to pursue an education at a tertiary institution would be very expensive for her parents. She is therefore hoping that she would acquire a scholarship soon since she would love to continue her studies.
“I really hope my wishes could be granted in attaining a scholarship, attaining a proper education from Pomeroon is a huge barrier that requires determination and a lot of money, I really need a scholarship” Brandt related.
Brandt was the top student for the National Grade Six examinations in Region Two. She credits her success to the support of her parents and teachers.
When asked what was the most challenging of her studies, Brandt said it was getting to school, in addition to not having adequate internet access. She however said distance in attaining an education was not a barrier for her as she was determined to make the necessary sacrifices.
Her favourite quote is, “achieving success does not require great might but a determined mind makes you achieve” the science stream student related. She advises students to continue to study nightly and to believe in God for their every success.
“I always tell myself I would stand to the end until I achieve my secondary education, I never give up, I prioritise my needs and wants and I made it happen, I am proud and I know my parents are too” the aspiring physiologist said.
Brandt is the 3rd of four children. Her favourite subject is physics and her desire is to continue to study so that she can eventually assist persons living in the Pomeroon areas.
Her parents Samantha and Mark Brandt also extended congratulations to their daughter for completing her Secondary education.
Meanwhile, copping the third position was Bibi Aseeya Mohamed who attained 12 Grade Ones. Guyana Times visited the home of Mohamed but was informed she is in Costa Rica on a scholarship.
Her parents extended best wishes to her and said that their daughter wrote 20 subjects at the examinations and that Aseeya is aspiring to be a lawyer. In 2014 her sister, Areefa Mohamed topped ARMS as the best student.
Headmaster of ARMS Lalljeet Rooplall extended congratulations to all those students from the school who excelled at the examinations. He also thanked the teachers for their dedication and extended efforts.
Rooplall said that ARMS over the years have done well at the CSEC examinations with students topping the country. He said hopefully next year the school will make it in the top 10 for the country.