Former ward of the state and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) high achiever Teana Fuller is encouraging young people in state care to not let their circumstances discourage them from achieving academic success.
She says they should instead use their situation as motivation to keep pushing forward.
“Just because you’re a ward of the state doesn’t mean you can’t achieve anything. Anything you put your mind to, you can achieve it. It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from, it’s where you’re going that matters,” she shared.
The 18-year-old, who spent her formative years as a resident of the Maxfield Park Children’s Home, Jamaica’s largest and oldest children’s home, is the top girl for the Southeast Region of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).
She attained grades one in English Language, Human and Social Biology, Principles of Business, Electronic Document Preparation Management (EDPM), Spanish, and Mathematics and grades two in Food and Nutrition, Health, and Principles of Accounts.
She is now furthering her studies in the sixth form at St. Hugh’s High School.
The determined young lady, who was recognised at a ceremony held by the CPSFA earlier this year, shared with government news agency JIS that she refused to let her situation define her academic journey.
“Being a ward of the state… I used that situation to push me forward, and I used that to remind myself; ‘It’s who you are going to be tomorrow that matters’. That doesn’t mean you can’t achieve anything in CSEC.”
Teana says she was overwhelmed with shock and pride at her exam results and at learning that she was chosen as the CPFSA’s top girl.
“When I heard I was selected… I was so excited. I knew that I put in the work, and at the end of the day, hard work pays off,” she says proudly.
She informed that her academic journey was not easy as she had to tackle feelings of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I didn’t like the online classes. Sometimes the Internet would chip out… Sometimes, online classes are very stressful. After a while staring at the screen, when the classes are finished, my eyes would hurt and I’d still be up at night studying. Nevertheless, I still pushed through,” she notes.
Teana also notes that the support she has received from the state has been integral to her success.
As a participant in the CPFSA’s Transitional Living Programme, which is geared towards helping former wards adjust to life upon leaving state care, she has received support in her academic journey in several ways.
“While preparing for [CSEC], some of the assistance I got from the government was tuition assistance, bus fare, and past papers and textbooks. I had different people coming in to assist me,” she informs JIS News.
“I knew that I was being taken care of, and I got my full meals every day,” she notes further.
Teana’s advice to students preparing for CSEC this year is to focus on mental preparation, self-confidence, perseverance, studying, and being optimistic.
“Make sure you are ready mentally… Try your best to push yourself… Just believe in yourself. Make sure you study first of all. If you think you can’t do it, pray. Speak positivity over your life,” she implores.
Source: JIS