Age: 11
Graduate of Spring Garden Primary, Trelawny.
She will be attending Westwood High School, also in Trelawny
answers as written by the winner
I am a remarkable eleven years old who is driven by my Christian faith and a strong sense of motivation. Raised in a single-parent household, I divide my time between my mom and aunt. At Spring Garden Primary and Infant School, where I recently graduated, I held multiple leadership roles including: Head Girl, Prefect, and President of the Brownies Club. I also actively participated in the school's outreach program, delivering food to the underprivileged in my community. I am also a Principal’s Honour Roll student. My dedication to academic excellence and my zeal to excel academically, earned me a place at Westwood High School. My belief that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" makes me even more determined in achieving my goals.
My hobbies include dancing, singing, and writing essays. I have a strong passion for dancing and singing, which prompted me to join the school's dance group and music group. I also represented my school at the JCDC level in dance and music. Reading is another favourite pastime of mine; it not only helps me to become relax but also encourages me to think more critically.
Winning this scholarship is a dream come true for me! When my mom and aunt mentioned transferring me to a less expensive school, I was so heartbroken knowing that my hard work had paid off, but I understood their concern. However, they were over the moon when they found out about the scholarship. This opportunity means I can attend the high school of my choice with financial support. It's more than I ever imagined! I am committed to working hard to achieve my goals and to make my family and the sponsors of the Young Dreamers Scholarship very proud.
As a result of attending the Westwood High School, I hope to achieve excellence in academics, enhance my leadership skills, and engage actively in extracurricular activities to become a well-rounded student. My goals include passing CSEC and CAPE exams, pursuing higher education to become a doctor, and serving as a role model and proud graduate of Westwood.
My mother Sharon Witter and my aunt Grace Hughes-Malcolm display some qualities that positively influence and inspire me so they are my role models. They have made sacrifice and showered me with unconditional love and support. They have instilled in me Christian values, taught me to be honest and to have high self-esteem. I have watched especially my mom persevere through difficult times while working as a domestic helper or a caregiver for people in my community and sometimes doing farming on a small scale to survive and this inspire me to persevere through difficult times so I can achieve my goals. I have watched my aunt pursue her academic dreams and I believe like her I will pursue my dreams and achieve my full potential.
Essay Topic: Describe a life goal you would like to accomplish or a change you would like to make in your community or Jamaica. Explain how you would go about accomplishing this life goal or effectuating this change. Mention some obstacles you might encounter during the process and how you would address them.
By Carlissa Segree, Age: 11
Spring Garden Primary School
Goals are things I set out to accomplish. I may dream of becoming, a nurse or even a doctor. Hard work and dedication are important if I am to achieve my goals. On the path to achieving my goals, there are many obstacles I may face. These could be: financial problems, peer pressure or a negative mind-set. I can surely overcome these obstacles to achieve my goals.
My life goal is to become a nurse or a doctor. I have a passion of taking care of people. For years I have watched my mother as she worked in the homes of many persons who are old and sick. My mother, who is barely able to read does not have the professional skills but she did her job well. I want to reach my highest potential. I have the ability to develop the professional knowledge and skills to become a doctor or a nurse to care for the sick and elderly.
In order to accomplish this life goal I have to do many things. These include: listening to my teacher, studying more, paying full attention in class, communicating and reasoning critically. Doing these things will help me to pass all my CXC and CAPE subjects. I also have to choose the Science subjects and Mathematics and English as these are what are needed to get into these professions. I also need to possess a good attitude. Finally, I have to apply to university and get accepted and continue to excel. Our school motto is: Strive for Excellence, so I have to do all these things if I am to continue to live by my school motto.
Do I believe hard times are a part of life? Of course like the singer- Sia and Christopher Braide, I too believe I am unstoppable in my quest to achieve my life goal despite the hard times. I am from a single parent family. My mother goes through some financial difficulties so I even have to stay with my aunt sometimes. I know I will face some hard times financially. However, I plan to join clubs, apply for scholarships and even work sometimes when I am going to university. There are also many other things that can influence me along this journey. One of these things is peer pressure. I am determined that I will never allow myself or anyone to be an obstacle in my own path. Therefore, in order to rise above this, I have to listen to my mother and my aunt. I have to choose my friends wisely and try to have a positive influence on my peers so that I will not be influenced by negative peer pressure. I may even have leave the company of some friends. Finally, another obstacle that I might face is negative mind-set. My guidance counsellor always says our thought can affect our dreams. So I will have to develop a positive mind-set to know that if I work hard I will overcome all obstacle.
It’s always good to dream big. Yes, we must set our goals and work hard to achieve them. We have to decide on our life goal and the reason we chose that life goal. We have to study hard and try to overcome the obstacles in our way. Indeed, as one of the scripture we often repeat in class states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. My life goal is very important. I am going to work hard and be the nurse or the doctor I want to be.