Steady, consistent work
Glenmuir deputy head boy tops Caribbean in Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing
Published:Friday | November 21, 2025 | 12:06 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
For Glenmuir High School student Janathan Brown, determination and consistency matter more than natural talent. He believes steady work can surpass ability, a mindset that has shaped his academic journey and fuelled his success.
That philosophy carried him to the top of the region in this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Unit 1, where he placed first in Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing (BMED) and fifth nationally in Pure Mathematics.
“I’m not naturally gifted the way some people are, but I have determination. I believe steady, consistent work can beat talent, and that belief pushes me to keep improving until I reach the level I want,” he told The Gleaner.
Brown’s achievements add to an already outstanding academic record. Last year, the deputy head boy earned nine grade one passes in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, including chemistry, physics, English language, mathematics, Caribbean history, religious education, technical drawing, industrial technology and information technology.
He credits his success to discipline and structure. “During CSEC, I kept a structured schedule that felt like a job. I would wake up, eat, and start studying at 9 a.m., take a break at noon, and continue until about 6 or 7 p.m. I used active recall, redid classwork, and practised a lot of past papers,” he explained.
Balancing academics with leadership and extracurricular activities required precision, he said. Active in the prefects’ council, student council and drivers’ education club, Brown has honed discipline, confidence and time-management skills. “Time management was really the key. I prioritised what needed to be done and made sure school work, exam prep, leadership duties, and extracurricular activities each had their own place in my day,” he said.
Mentorship has also been pivotal. Brown praised his physics teacher, Adrian Gooden, for guidance and consistency. “Mr Gooden played an important role. His guidance and consistency helped me stay focused. He always shared how his own determination to fully understand physics shaped him into the teacher he is today, and that really motivated me,” Brown said.
He also credits his mother’s encouragement for strengthening his resilience. Still, he admits consistency has been his greatest challenge. “Getting up early every day and studying, even when I didn’t feel motivated, was tough. I kept going by reminding myself of my goals and the future I want.”
Looking ahead, Brown hopes to become a civil (structural) engineer, building on his foundation in BMED and Pure Mathematics.
To students grappling with academic pressure, he offers a simple but powerful message: “Don’t let anyone set limits on what you can do. People will say a subject is too hard or that you shouldn’t try something, but don’t let that discourage you.”