Brilliant Carson Campbell heads to Campion College

Carson Campbell’s parents, Iran and Lotoya Campbell, emitted echoes of the slang term “bright from him born” as they spoke glowingly about their son’s academic achievement in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination that earned him a government scholarship.

Carson heads to Campion College, his first choice, come September, following a 391.7 placement score in the PEP exam, that also earned him the title of top boy and top student overall at Mar-jam prep school in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

However, his achievement came as no surprise to any of the three. Carson told The Gleaner that he was always a bright student and he intends to maintain his brilliant form while at Campion.

“Yes, I will do well,” he declared.

Early days yet but, regarding a career choice, he simply said: “I’m not sure right now but I’m looking into engineering or medicine.”

Before attending Mar-Jam, Carson spent three years in the kindergarten department at United Learning Centre (ULC) in Upton, finishing top of the class even from then.

His dad, Iran, said he spoke it into being.

“I’m very pleased, you know; I’m very pleased,” he said of his son’s success.

“The old saying, they say you speak some things into your life and it happens an when he started ULC I said to my wife, ‘Carson is going to finish the top of ULC’ and then we moved to Mar-Jam when he was about to start grade one; the reason for moving was not academically, it was because of the road condition at the time, the road condition was terrible to go up there and the traffic coming back was crazy. So I enrolled him at Mar-Jam and then I said the same thing to my wife, I said, ‘Now that he has enrolled at Mar-jam, Carson is going to finish the top student at Mar-jam.’ And it has happened.”

Carson’s mother, Lotoya Campbell, believed in her son’s ability to do well academically from day one, so the placement score didn’t surprise her.

“I really believed he would have met the Campion grade, I saw it in him from K1. And coming up for the whole nine years he maintained a 90-plus average, never below, and he’s always in the top three in the class,” she explained.

She said the class was mostly comprised of boys who were competitive.

“And Carson doesn’t like to be the one behind, so he’s always trying. He’s very determined and always completes his homework.”

She pointed out that Carson has consistently demonstrated excellence in both academics and co-curricular activities, making him one of the standout students at his school this year.

Besides the government scholarship, Carson was presented with several awards including the Jamaul Hall Award, reserved for the boy with the highest PEP average who also actively participated in extra-curricular activities.

Some of these activities include karate and football, marking him as a disciplined student, a team player and one who is passionate in whatever he does.

Despite his brilliance, Carson’s mother says he remains humble and focused, and described him as a quiet and independent young man.

“As he moves on to the next chapter at Campion College, one of Jamaica’s most prestigious institutions, Carson carries with him the values of hard work, consistency, and integrity. His family, teachers, and the Mar-Jam community are beyond proud. Carson Campbell is not only a high achiever – he is a role model, and without a doubt, a leader of tomorrow,” she declared.

Carson is one of 14 boys who earned government scholarships, with 10 of them, including Carson, being placed at Campion College in St Andrew. Two each will attend Cornwall College and Herbert Morrison Technical, both in Montego Bay, St James.

editorial@gleanerjm.com