Old Harbour mom basks in daughter’s PEP success

“She makes me view life differently,” added the Panton Lane residents during a telephone interview with Old Harbour News regarding her eldest child’s achievement in the recent Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam.

Eleven-year-old Shamaria Rookwood was showered with adulations by her mother, relatives and friends when she attained a placement score of 330 or 94.2% to begin her secondary education at Ardenne High.

The result was a major feather in the proverbial cap for Fogah, who continues to be haunted by one particular failure of her past.

Just over a decade ago Fogah began her journey to become a teacher, but such a dream was blown off course when she got pregnant with Shamaria during her first year in college.

It was a bitter blow, but in her moment of despair, Fogah made a fervent plea to God.

“I made a promise to God to make she get what I missed out on. I told God to let her get my brain but not my attitude. From she was in my womb I said to God ‘I have nothing to give you except this child’ and whenever she comes forth… and whatsoever you desire of her let it be’,” she said.

Shamaria’s success in PEP evoked a sense of pride in her mother who is of the firm belief that her prayers are being answered.

“She’s very determined and she’s self-motivated and that’s what I like with her. She always wants to be the best,” Fogah said of her daughter who hopes to become a lawyer one day.

“I am very excited. I was expecting to go to a wonderful school and I get one. So I’m very excited,” added Shamaria. “I know that I tried my best to achieve such a goal and that makes me feel wonderful.”

Since that personal disappointment made some 12 years ago now, Fogah has been working assiduously to take care of her three girls.
Everything she does is to make her girls better, and is the very reason why she’s feeling so proud.

“I’m just gonna be behind her 100% to achieve whatever she wants to achieve,” said Fogah, who is a certified cosmetologist. “She’s very understanding. She knows my best days and she knows my worse days.”

Meantime, Shamaria said she is really anticipating beginning life at her new school, as she thinks “it will be a great experience for me to meet new friends and learn new stuff”.