~ Beek and Adriana place in regional top 10 ~
PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten Academy has double reason to celebrate now that two of its candidates earned coveted spots on the May/June Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) CSEC merit list. The CXC merit list comprises the top 10 students in every subject from among 122,813 candidates who sat the regional examination in May/June.
Placing fifth in the region in Principles of Accounts was David Beek, who copped a Grade 1 pass in the subject area with a straight ‘A’ Profile. Beek, who wrote nine CSEC subjects, earned Grade I passes in all, eight of which were straight ‘A’ profiles. He earned Grade I passes in English A, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, and Additional Mathematics. He also secured an A in Cambridge Dutch.
The second student to make the regional merit list in Social Studies was Nigel Adriana, who placed tenth in the region, earning a Grade I with straight ‘A’ profiles. Adriana obtained 10 Grade I passes out of the 11 CSEC subjects that he sat. Eight of these were with straight ‘A’ profiles. His Grade I passes were in Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, English A, Social Studies, and Geography. He also copped an A in Cambridge Dutch. Adriana is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology at Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica.
Speaking on his achievement, a humbled Beek stated that he was pleasantly surprised to make the merit list for Principles of Accounts, as he had been aiming to make the merit list for Additional Mathematics, which he found “fun” due to its need for thinking and precision. The math whiz, who is currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Mathematics at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) at St. Maarten Academy has not yet settled on a career path. He is considering a career which requires “precision and the use of technology”. He further added that he tries to live by the maxim, “There is profit in all labour”, and admonishes the upcoming cohort to start curbing their social media use at least three months ahead of examinations. He also expressed his thanks to God and his teacher, Head of the Business Studies Department, Ms. Maura Bute for helping him accomplish this feat.
Adriana, meanwhile, picked Social Studies in Form 4 as an extra subject, under the advice of his mom, who encouraged him to “do it just for the experience!” And what an experience it was! He expressed his gratitude to his teacher, Mrs. Joy-Ann Browne-Skeete for offering him her tremendous support as he prepared to write the subject.
St. Maarten Academy continues to lead the pack on the island by producing the top results at the regional examinations. Over the years, the school has also made the merit list in subjects such as Music (placing first and fourth in the region), Additional Mathematics, Mathematics, and Physics.
The school’s principal, drs. Tallulah Baly-Vanterpool said: “As a school we strive to put forth our best selves despite our current challenges. I am proud and inspired by our students and teachers – their passion, dedication, and drive to excel. Congratulations to our students, parents, and teachers, and by extension St. Maarten, as placing on the CSEC regional merit list is not a small feat.”
The Board of the Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE), under which the school falls, congratulates these two young men on their exceptional performance and recognition, and looks forward to honouring them, along with others when the Class of 2019 walks in their commencement ceremony on December 18, 2019 at the Belair Community Center.
