Headboy and deputy do school proud in CXC exam

There seems to be no mountain too high for Akib Jordan to climb.Not only does this student of St Leonard’s Boys’ have nine CXC grade ones and four grade twos to his name, he also has distinctions in four subject areas.The 17-year-old deputy head boy, who gained five grade ones in this year’s Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) results, adding to the four from last year, is one of two students who have brought the school once again into the limelight.Also having a lot to shout about is head boy Graeme Stoute. He earned six grade ones and three twos, and also achieved two distinctions.A very well spoken Jordan, who resides in Shorey Village, St Andrew, got grade ones in human and social biology (distinction), information technology, physical education (distinction), physics, chemistry (distinction), electrical & electronics, integrated science, principles of business, Spanish (distinction). He intends to apply to Queen’s College to enter sixth form there, and later pursue a career in medicine.Jordan received grade twos in English A, biology, maths and social studies. Not ashamed to tell the world that he was placed in a class for “slow learners” when he attended the St Andrew Primary School, Jordan recalled how he got 176 in the Common Entrance Examination.He said although most people tended to frown on the Common Entrance Examination, it had worked well for him by allowing him to be placed at a school where he could excel at his own pace.“A lot of parents are ashamed when their children pass for St Leonard’s, or what they call the lower schools, and they try to get them somewhere “higher”, but when they get there then it is a struggle for them. I’m glad that I was placed here ’cause I didn’t have to struggle – I moved at my own pace, and look where it has gotten me,” he said.Jordan said everything seemed to change from the first term at the Richmond Gap institution. He settled in well, felt relaxed and came first in class that very first term. Outstanding studentFrom then it has been first all the way, and the outstanding student has been calmly stepping over any obstacles that he has encountered.Jordan credits the school’s state-of-the-art facilities and the excellent teachers for being the driving factors behind his success and has dismissed many of the myths often associated with the school.“People say St Leonard’s isn’t a school because there have been lots of negatives over the years, but this school has lots of positives that do not get highlighted. It doesn’t matter what school you go to, once you have your parents’ support, then everything is possible,” he stated.He also credits his mother Judy Jordan and grandmother (who passed away in December), who continually supported him throughout his endeavours.“This year’s exams came with quite a challenge for me. I had to go through great difficulty after losing my grandmother. Yes, I’m a grandmother’s child, and she continually supported me. Before she died I made her a promise that I would continue to do my best, and I know she would be extremely proud of me now,” he said.Asked if he was hoping to gain a scholarship when he took CAPE exams, Jordan replied: “That would be my biggest dream. To get a scholarship would be a great achievement for me,” he stated.Stoute, of Beale’s Gap, Brittons Hill, St Michael, holds grade ones in mathematics, English B, social studies, principles of business (distinction), human and social biology (distinction) and electronic document preparation management (EDPM).He achieved grade twos in English A, Caribbean history and principles of accounts.The former St Paul’s Primary student, who entered St Leonard’s with 205.9, said he was nervous at first because he had no friends there, but settled in well and “buckled down to the task”.From first to fifth form, he always gained positions within the top seven in class, and was motivated by other high achievers in his family.“Everyone in the family was doing well, so I felt the need to step up to the plate and show them that I could do well, too, especially since they were all girls,” he said jokingly.Steadfast commitmentHe too credits his mother Eleanor and the teachers, noting the teachers’ commitment was steadfast. He even had a teacher who sometimes gave lessons on Sundays. “If he missed any lessons during the week, he would want you to come on Sundays, and even that alone shows how committed they were. Who teaches lessons on Sunday?” he asked with a smile.Stoute, who is also applying to Queen’s College and the Barbados Community College to do economics and law, said after those studies he would be heading straight to university.“I have a deadline and by the time I reach 24, I want to have my Master’s, so I have to keep moving,” he stated.He recalls one of his best moments was this year when the schools’ debating team defeated Harrison College in the Productivity Council’s debating competition. Jordan was also adjudged Best Speaker. One of best moments“HC came blazing, but when we defeated them, that was one of the best moments in my life and a great experience too,” he recalled. The team was beaten by QC in the finals, however.Acting principal Karl Rawlins said he was very proud of the two boys, who had shown consistency throughout the years.He said both students had worked hard and had also encouraged classmates to excel by forming study groups and helping others. He noted, too, they would be great motivators for the younger students. He expressed satisfaction with the progress being made by the students at the school, who have continued to excel in a number of areas. Rawlins said this year the school had gained 31 grade one passes, 80 grade twos and 218 grade threes.