Lack of electricity doesn’t stop PEP scholar

After the many hardships her daughter had to overcome to pass her exams, June 21 will forever be etched in the memory for Shaneka Shaw as a day of profound pride and joy.

That day, Shaw learned that her daughter, 12-year-old Trizann Morgan, had not only excelled in her Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations, but that she had also been accepted into her school of choice, Immaculate Conception High.

"You would think I was the one that did that exam. On the result day, from 12 o'clock I was trying to get on the portal. I called the school; couldn't get on. But 4 o'clock exactly, the school called me, and all I wanted to hear was which school she passed for; and when they told me it was Immaculate, I just couldn't control my excitement," Shaw explained. Unable to hold back her tears, the single mother of three told THE STAR that her daughter had to endure many challenges while preparing for her exams.

"I always knew that she had the ability, but the struggles were there," Shaw said. "I remember in her grade-five year, life just went from A to Z, and for the entire year we had no electricity." Shaw explained that she had to get rechargeable lights for her daughter to study.

"It was hard, but Trizann has always been determined. Once Trizann tells you she is going to do something, best believe she is going to do it," Shaw said. "She told me from grade five that I should start buying her books to go to Immaculate, and I was like, 'You crazy? You haven't even done the exam yet.' But she was determined that she will be going to Immaculate, and she did." Last Friday, Trizann was one of eight students who received a one-time grant of $30,000 from the Guardian Group for being the top PEP girl at her school, Duhaney Park Primary. At the awards ceremony, which was held at The Jamaica Pegasus, Trizann was all smiles as she collected her award. She told THE STAR that although preparing for her exams was at times challenging, she was eager to start the next chapter of her life.

"I am very excited! I can't wait to start my journey at my dream high school," said Trizann, who has big dreams of one day becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon, which is a doctor who performs surgery on the organs in the chest, such as the heart, lungs and oesophagus.

Shaw added that there were numerous days she could not afford to send her daughter to school, and during these challenging times, it was the staff at Duhaney Park Primary that came to their rescue.

"Let me tell you, Duhaney Park have some of the best teachers. Even her grade six coordinator Miss Douglas, that woman had Trizann; and even when I didn't have it, she said Trizann is going to do this, ... however long ... she is going to do it," Shaw said. Even while enduring all these challenges, Trizann never failed to excel in her academics or her extracurricular activities. She was head girl, president of the Red Cross Club, as well as captain of the school's netball and quiz teams, among others.

Shaw said that the grant will be going towards Trizann's school fee, easing a great deal of the financial pressure.

"I am so grateful because you know Immaculate is a bit costly, so it will help. And she got a grant from Burger King last week, so things are looking up," Shaw said.