Gooden

Sixteen-year-old Alwyn Gooden was determined to do even better than his older brother in his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. So he made a bet with him that he could outdo his brother's performance.

But it ended in a draw.

Alwyn received a similar six grade ones and two grade twos. He received distinctions in information technology, English language, physics, mathematics, chemistry and electrical technology, and credits for Spanish and principles of accounts.

However, Alwyn feels he has beaten his brother anyway.

"I believe I beat him because he did the business (subjects) and I do the sciences. I think the sciences are harder than the business. So I think ... that I beat him," a laughing Alwyn told The Gleaner.

The bright youngster from York Castle High School in St. Ann comes from a family of high achievers and, as the last of five children, he felt he needed to carry on the tradition.

"I get a lot of encouragement from them every day," he said. Most of that support comes from his only sister and his parents who implore him to study hard.

An edge

The extrovert says his personality also gave him an edge.

"Sometimes I talk a lot, so in the classes that I'm able to speak out, I normally do well in those areas," he said.

Alwyn has enrolled in the University of Technology in St. Andrew where he hopes to pursue a career in construction or electrical engineering.