Johnson

WESTERN BUREAU:

Burnecia Johnson, the 12-year-old who was crowned Top Girl for the western county of Cornwall in the Grade Six Achievement Test, says she is not daunted by the huge expectations that come with success.

In fact, Burnecia, who is heading to the all-girl Montego Bay High School, has vowed to surpass the academic standards that accompany the Scotia Foundation scholarship she has won.

"I feel overwhelmed and I'm happy ... and everybody else is happy for me," she told The Gleaner. "I plan to use it (the scholarship) very well, and I am going to work to the best of my ability at MoBay High."

96.6 exam average

Burnecia, who first learned of the scholarship award from parents Melbourne Johnson and Latoya Oldfield, averaged 96.6 per cent in the annual exam, which guarantees placement of top performers in elite high schools.

Schoolteacher Olivene Green expressed pride in her student's achievement and said she was happy that Burnecia was able to cover Howard Cooke Primary in glory.

"I'm elated and overjoyed. I believe hard work does pay off and I'm glad that she was able to achieve this scholarship," Green told The Gleaner.

"I'm also glad that Howard Cooke is back in the limelight once again because we're really known for our high success when it comes to GSAT and I am glad that we were able to cop this."

Burnecia was among 17 girls in her class who earned a place at Montego Bay High School. She registered scores of 100 per cent in communication task, 99 in social studies, 96 in mathematics, 94 in science and 94 in language art.

She hopes to become a lawyer and hails her parents as her greatest role models.

tashieka.mair@gleanerjm.com