Glenmuir third-former stuns with two grade ones in CSEC

At just 15 years old, Glenmuir High School student Solain Bowlah has stunned her peers and community after securing two grade ones in this year’s May-June Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

While still in third form at the Clarendon-based high school, Bowlah opted to pursue electronic document preparation and management (EDPM) and principles of business (POB) at the CSEC level.

For her, the decision to take on the examinations early was not only bold, but also a test of her own limits.

“To be honest, I just wanted to test the waters and see how well I could manage,” she told The Gleaner.

When the results came, the young scholar said she was overcome with pride.

“I was really proud of myself, because I knew I tried my very best, and whatever result I got would reflect the effort I put in. It proves to me that I can do anything I set my mind to,” she said.

Her achievement has earned admiration from classmates, teachers, and her family.

“My parents encouraged me, reminding me that as long as I did my best, that was good enough. My friends were supportive too – they’d even wait for me after my evening classes so we could leave school together,” Bowlah explained.

Balancing schoolwork with extra exam preparation was no easy feat, but the teen admitted her strategy was unconventional.

“Honestly, most of my ‘serious studying’ happened the night before the exam. Leading up to it, I practised past papers, and did questions, but I find it most efficient to really focus ... right before an exam,” she said.

Despite the pressure of sitting external examinations while in third form, Bowlah said her support team made the task worthwhile.

“I think I balanced both my regular schoolwork and exam prep well. I was supported by everyone, from my parents right down to my friends. Their encouragement really made a difference.”

Away from academics, Bowlah remains actively involved in student life at Glenmuir. She serves as events coordinator of the 4-H Club, secretary of the Photo Journalism Club, and class monitor – roles that she says help her grow as a leader.

SPECIAL INTEREST

Looking ahead, Bowlah is keeping her career options open, but shared a special interest in creative and technical fields.

“I’m still deciding on my final career path, but I’m really interested in interior designing and being a contractor,” she told The Gleaner.

Her father, Devlon Bowlah, admitted he was moved to tears when she shared her results with him.

“On that day, she video-called me, because she’s overseas, and showed me that she got two grade ones. I screamed... I was overwhelmed. Tears fell from my eyes. I was very emotional. I couldn’t talk; I told her I would call her back,” the proud father recalled.

He described his only child as his greatest motivator.

“As a parent, you set standards that you expect your child to do and carry out, and she’s doing just that. As a father, I’m very proud. I’m excited for her,” he told The Gleaner.

With two distinctions already secured before entering fourth form, the younger Bowlah has proven that age is no barrier to achievement – only determination and self-belief.

When asked what advice she would give to other young students, her response was simple yet powerful:

“You can do it once you believe in yourself. Once you’re willing to try, you never know how far you can go.”

olivia.brown@gleanerjm.com