Old Harbour’s Shantea Williams amongst PEP elite with 99.2% average

Williams, a resident of South Street, Old Harbour, aced the school-leaving exam with a placement score of 347.2 or 99.2% to guarantee her seat at the revered Campion College, regarded as the best secondary institution in Jamaica.

The head girl was highly proficient in all subjects and credits her awe-inspiring achievement to her strong Christian faith in Jesus, though others would say she’s naturally gifted.

“I was feeling a bit excited but I knew I was going there so it was expected. But I was still excited.

“It makes with feel very satisfied with myself and it makes me feel very grateful.

“I challenge myself, I tried to go the extra mile and make sure I understand the content. I don’t see myself studying most of the time but when I know that I’m not great at a particular topic I’ll study,” said the 12-year-old, who has been such a beacon to her peers.

Amid her incredible academic display, Shantae is also very proficient in several curricular activities. She is the captain of the school’s netball team, while at the New Testament Church of God she’s prominent in a number of programmes such as the youth choir and congress.

Michelle Thompson is Shantea’s mother. She told Old Harbour News that her main aim in life is to create a better version of herself in her three daughters, the eldest of which is currently pursuing a degree at the University of the West Indies.

The single mother noted that Shantea’s brilliance was early in the making.

“By the age of five the teacher told me that ‘you know that Shantae is reading! I can’t put anything on my desk and Shantea doesn’t read it’.

“From early childhood days she’s always on top. When it comes to work academically, Shantae doesn’t want to miss a homework, she doesn’t want to get anything wrong,” said Thompson.

Her daughter’s score was no fluke, she told us, revealing that in preparing for PEP she registered perfect scores except in grade five.

Raising the children isn’t easy she said, but Shantea’s recent achievement is massive motivation.

“Oh my God!” Thompson exclaimed recalling the day she got the PEP results. “You know when you feel that sense of appreciation that all your hard work is not in vain, that’s how I felt.”

It was while watching School Challenge Quiz in grade four that Shantae developed an affinity for Campion, many-time winners of the perennial competition, Thompson also informed Old Harbour News.  Later in the interview Shantae tells us she would like to become an entrepreneur, though she isn’t too sure about which particular field, and lecture mathematics at a top university, in addition to starting her own charity as it is very important to give back.

She credits her teachers at Old Harbour Primary for a large part of her success.

“Every class that I have been the teachers were always working with me… and they always pushing me to be better,” said Shantea.

Given the strong supportive network around, Thompson is very confident that her daughter will continue to blaze an academic trail of success.

“I expect her to continue to be focused and aim for the best. As the school motto says ‘only the best is good enough’. And if she continues with this will power that she has I have no doubt that she will be great in whatever she does,” the proud mother said. 

“I said to her ‘as you get older challenges will come at you’ because it is just a part of life. She’s prepared for the challenges mentally. And then being a part of the church group also helps them. She’s not afraid to ask anybody anything.”