MARICEL HOPE feels like she is in a dream.
The reason being that she is one of the 16 scholarship winners out of the recently concluded CAPE examinations.
In an interview with the WEEKEND NATION yesterday, the 18-year-old said her hard work had paid off.
“It was so much hard work; you have to work from day one and put in all the hours for two whole years. You can’t give up. You can switch subjects, but for me, I have to stay with whatever I’m doing,” she said, adding it was important for students to choose subjects they loved.
The daughter of Michalyn and Hallam Hope, Maricel said her goal was “without a doubt” to study medicine, although she was not sure where.
Hope received Grade 1s in chemistry Units I and II; biology Units I and II; physics Units I and II; communication studies and Caribbean Studies but said she was prepared not to achieve a scholarship.
“I was preparing myself because if I didn’t get the scholarship, it would not be the end of the world. But if you ask God, you shall receive, so I felt I had a chance,” she said.
Even so, Hope said she felt “very surprised” when she saw her results.
As for advice, she told other young students seeking a scholarship or exhibition to make the necessary sacrifices; do all their homework and never to slack off.
“You don’t have to be incredibly smart. If you put in the work, you will get there,” she said.
Her father Hallam said he was “exceedingly proud” of his daughter.
“It was a 13-year journey of discipline and dedication to her studies . . . . I thank God and all her teachers at Wilkie Cumberbatch and Harrison College, as well as her friends and family,” he said. (CA)
