Zori-Ann Rhoden of José Marti Technical High came out tops in CSEC agricultural science this year. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

SPANISH TOWN:

José Marti Technical High is now basking in the glory of one of its celebrated scholars.

Zori-Ann Rhoden, 19, was recently named Jamaica's top achiever in agricultural science in the 2008 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams.

When The Gleaner visited Zori-Ann at the St Catherine school, she was busy working on her latest science project. She said that she owed her achievements to her Christian principles and the constant assistance of her teachers, especially Joyceline Drummond.

"I must say thanks to the teachers. They go beyond the call of duty, and even on weekends they teach. Also, I know that God was in the midst, as when it was time for the exam, I was under tremendous pressure and it was divine intervention that helped me to pull through."

Zori-Ann said she has plans to take her studies to another level.

"I believe in animal science as this brings in biology and chemistry and those are subjects that I am strong in," she said.

Interested in medicine

However, the sixth-former also has her sights set on pursuing medicine.

"I want to go to Cuba to train, as I believe they bring out the very best in their doctors and I want to be very good at what I do. God might have different plans though. You never know."

One of her teachers, Germaine Loutin, described Zori-Ann as a high achiever.

"She is always working hard and is a role model. There is no surprise why she has excelled," said Loutin, himself a top student in agriculture in 2002.

Zori-Ann, the third of four children, has nine CSEC passes under her belt, including six distinctions.