KINGSTON, Jamaica – Hard work has paid off for 17-year-old Abigayle McGrowder, who is the National Child Month Committee’s (NCMC) Top Academic Achievement Award recipient for 2022.

The St James High School graduate, who is currently in sixth form at Herbert Morrison Technical High School, was recognised at an award ceremony held recently in Kingston.

To qualify for the Academic Achievement Award, students must attend a non-traditional high school, attain five or more subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level and overcome great odds to achieve outstanding results.

They should also be involved in community service in keeping with the spirit of volunteerism.

The former St James High School head girl gained 10 CSEC subjects with grades one in Chemistry, English A, Human and Social Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Principles of Business and Social Studies, and grades two in English B and Information Technology.

She also achieved stage three passes in Mathematics and English at City and Guilds Examinations. All subjects were done in 2021.

Abigayle said that preparing for her exams was hectic.

“There were times when my schoolwork was getting so overwhelming. I was at school from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm Mondays to Fridays, on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Also, eve night my study group would be beating the books from 7:00 pm until we were too tired to go any further. However, I was never daunted,” she said.

Abigayle’s Information Technology teacher, Barbara Cunningham, stated that she was not surprised at the results, because Abigayle was consistently doing her school work.

“When other students are playing around Abigayle is always in her books. She is driven and self-motivated and these qualities are what led to her success,” said Cunningham.

Cunningham also described Abigayle as well mannered, dependable, and helpful.

“When a teacher is away from a class, this student is the one who is usually left in charge to ensure that the other students do their work. She was also helpful to her peers, just always willing to help her classmates with their studies,” she added.

Abigayle strongly believes that success is not hers alone but for others around her as well, and it was this mindset that led to the creation of a study group, which allowed her to study while helping struggling students. So effective was the study group that students from other schools also joined.

Abigayle expresses gratitude to her mother and stepfather for the sacrifices they have made along her academic journey.

She relates that during the peak of the global pandemic, when her mother was laid off from work, the responsibility to provide for the family fell solely on her stepfather’s shoulders.

She recalls that there were times that she did not have money for lunch, while studying for her exams.

Abigayle used the experience as motivation to “work even harder so that I can help them when I get older.”

To her peers, Abigayle’s advice is “It does not matter who you are, what background you are from, as long as you have the correct mindset you will achieve anything you set your mind to”.

Abigayle was also the top CSEC student at St James High, and one of the top performing students in CSEC Social Studies in Jamaica.

She was recognised by the St James High School’s Past Student Association as the top female achiever for the 2021 graduating class and as a key member of the school’s debate club.

Abigayle served as a member of the St James High School’s Student Council from 2017-2018; a member of the perfect body for 2020-2022; class monitor, 2020-2022; and was deputy head girl from 2021-2022.

She was also president of the Mathematics Club; treasurer, Business and Technology Club; and was a member of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs and the school’s table tennis team.

Cunningham said her wish is for Abigayle to go straight into university after sixth form but says that may prove to be difficult due to financial constraints.

“But I know without a doubt that she is one of those persons who will excel in anything she pursues,” she said.

Abigayle is currently pursuing Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) studies in Accounting, Management of Business, Entrepreneurship, Communication Studies and Computer Science.

She wants to pursue a career in the business and technology fields.