First year SJC sixth form student, Ian Malcolm Lizarraga passed twelve CXC general proficiency exams, and his masterful performance makes him Belize's most outstanding secondary school student. Lizarraga earned ten grade one passes in Biology, English A and B, Human and Social Biology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Religious Education, Social Studies and Spanish, along with two grade 2's in Caribbean History and Chemistry. We spoke to this young master of many varied disciplines about his accomplishment. He says it's all about consistency.
Ian Malcolm Lizarraga, SJC Student
"How did I do it? That is always the question. Well to do something like this it is consistency. You have to do it, all throughout the year you have to be reading and studying and basically it is just listening in class."
Alfonso Noble,
How do you feel that you've achieved such a distinction? You are the top scorer in the CXCs this year.
Ian Malcolm Lizarraga,
"Very proud and honored. I can't believe it, I still can't. But for my parents, it is nothing new to them. My sister had first in CXCs and my brother too so it is nothing new for them but for me it is amazing."
Alfonso Noble,
What advice do you have for the students who will be taking the CXCs next year?
Ian Malcolm Lizarraga,
"Well for this you just have to keep at it. You can't let up. You always, from beginning to end, whether you are in third form or fourth form, just know what goals to set and you can do it. It is easy. I did it, so anyone can do it."
Finishing just behind Lizarraga was Aimee Flores from SCA. Flores earned ten grade ones at the general proficiency level. With that she is recognized as the "outstanding candidate", while Lizarraga is the "most outstanding candidate".
The Ministry of Education reports that 2,737 Belizeans took the exam. There was an increase in performance in 24 subjects, including better performances in English and Math, where the Ministry reports that the country average on the subjects is above the Caribbean average. Problems arose in English B, Literature, which took a nosedive from an average grade of 63% to 29%. The CXC awards will be held on November 23rd and we'll show you all the students who excelled at that time.
