A week ago, 7News told you about the top performers on the Primary School Examinations around the country. The margins which separate the top 25 students are a mere 3 to 5 points each.
Today, they were honored for their achievements with a ceremony which was held by the Ministry of Education at the Princess Hotel.
7News was present for the ceremony, and we got a chance to speak to several of the top students. Here's what they told us:
Rhiki Alegria -1st Place, PSE 2012
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the achievements of the students that have excelled in PSE. Each and every student has worked hard, and deserves to be here today, and so, I am proud to say that I am part of this group of top achievers. The PSE is an examination that I find to be very important. I believe that students, on a whole, would not work as hard, if there was not an examination at the end of primary school. Apart from the role PSE plays in our standard 6 lives, it is also used by the Ministry of Education to assess our performance as a school, and to see which areas needs more focus."
Jasmine Betancourt - 1st Place, PSE 2012
"There were many elements that played a key role to my success. At home, both of my parents puts education as a top priority. When I was younger, they taught me to have high morals such as honesty. My dad never liked me to lie; he'd rather I just told the truth and get into trouble. Respect and the importance of doing my school work to the best of my ability were always taught to develop a good work ethic. My mother set a fixed starting homework each day which was non-negotiable. 3 o'clock meant 3 o'clock, not 3:05. The foundation which was instilled in me has made me accustomed to doing homework first, and the all-important time to relax and have fun."
Daniel Ortiz
"How does it feel to a top performer in this exam?"
Udumii Ejike - 3rd Place, PSE 2012
"It feels great that all your hard work paid off, and it wasn't for nothing. It's a great feeling."
Daniel Ortiz
"What school do you hail from?"
Udumii Ejike
"I hail from Solid Rock Christian Academy in Dangriga."
Daniel Ortiz
"What high school are you now that you have a full scholarship?"
Udumii Ejike
"I am planning to go to Ecumenical High School in Dangriga."
Daniel Ortiz
"And what attracted you to that school?"
Udumii Ejike
"Well, they bring the top grades always, and they are always on the list in academic events."
Daniel Ortiz
"What role did you parents play in this performance?"
Udumii Ejike
"Well, they encouraged, and they helped me study every day, practically. Even when I wanted to give up, they told me that they knew I could do it. They were practically more excited that I was."
Daniel Ortiz
"How does it make you feel to be honored here today at this award ceremony?"
Serena Anderson - 6th Place, PSE 2012
"It feels good."
Daniel Ortiz
"What is your support system like? What made you strive to become an excellent performer?"
Serena Anderson
"Well, in my family, in the past, they've strived to be very good, and they've done very well on their PSE's, so I wanted to be like them."
Daniel Ortiz
"I know that you have a full scholarship from the Ministry of Education. What school are you going to attend, now that you've been awarded this?"
Serena Anderson
"Orange Walk Technical Highschool."
Immediately after the national ceremony, there was a ceremony honoring the top performers of the Belize District.
According to the Ministry of Education, in the next coming days, there will be ceremonies which will be held for the top performers from each of the other 5 districts.
