Graduate of St James High School in Montego Bay, Dejonie O’Connor, dispelled misconceptions about the academic pedigree of non-traditional secondary institutions by attaining an outstanding 11 subjects in the 2024 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

The proud 17-year-old earned six Grade Ones in English Language, Food and Nutrition, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Principles of Business, and Social Studies; two Grade Twos in Biology and Principles of Accounts, and three Grade Threes in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, to prove that determination knows no boundaries.

For Dejonie, these accomplishments were hard-earned. She had to commute daily from her home in Westmoreland to St James, while navigating the shift system at St James High, which meant starting her day at 4 am and not returning home until 8 pm.

Despite her gruelling schedule, she remained dedicated to her academic goals while successfully balancing her duties as head girl during the 2023/24 school year.

“Well, for one, it was really difficult due to St James High being a shift school where I had to get up extremely early in the morning to go to school and then coming back home late in the evening, because I had to go on across shifts to do some of my subjects,” Dejonie tells JIS News.

The exam period was equally demanding, with her tests scheduled almost back-to-back.

After the long days, Dejonie would study late into the night, often after returning home, determined to stay prepared despite her exhausting schedule.

“And while I was studying and preparing for a CSEC exam, I had to stay up… go to bed at 3 am, [then] wake up at 4 am, and still go and do my exam,” she says.

The young achiever recounts how, despite doubts cast by those around her because of the school she attended, she remained undeterred and laser-focused on her ambitions instead of the pervasive negativity.

“If I had listened to persons when I first passed to [attend] St. James High School, I would not have done my best. If you really have a goal, set your mind to it and do it,” she states emphatically.

Dejonie encourages other students not to procrastinate during the course of their academic journey, and not to devalue themselves by thinking that “I’m not like other students going to traditional schools.” But rather to always bear in mind that, “the same education that they’re getting is the same that we are getting… if they can do it, I can do it too.”

Dejonie says she was supported by her grandmother, Norma James, who encouraged her after her Primary Exit Profile Examination (PEP) scores resulted in her placement at St. James High.

“All schools are the same. Sometimes [it’s] just the behaviour [of some students] at the school [that might arguably make a difference]. But if you focus on your work, then you will hit the goal,” she says

Dejonie recounts one occasion when she was overwhelmed by challenges experienced with her studies and exam preparations.

“I remember one night, we were there for class, and it was very hectic because we had to balance doing Information Technology and preparing for Math. And because of how difficult Math is… I remember saying… I cannot do it, I’m not going to pass it. It was very draining [and] frustrating for me and other students,” she shares.

Dejonie points out, however, that she received constant support from the team of teachers, which enabled her to overcome those issues.

The youngster, who harbours ambitions of becoming an airline pilot, is resolutely seeking a scholarship which will serve to propel her career aspirations.

In the meantime, Dejonie is diligently undertaking her job as a cashier, while religiously saving every dollar earned to fund her ambitious journey to success, in anticipation that it will take flight.

Principal of St James High, Joseph Williams, says he is delighted with Dejonie’s examination results.

“What we found is that she was quite focused, and even when there seemed to be some challenges with her, she bounced back. It shows that she is focused, and I’m so pleased by her performance,” he tells JIS News.

Williams points out that the school’s 2024 CSEC class achieved outstanding results, and credits the teaching staff’s commitment for their success, noting that classes were sometimes held online at nights.

In addition to Dejonie’s performance, two students passed 10 passed subjects; six students passed nine subjects; six passed eight subjects; 10 passed seven subjects; 30 passed six subjects; 42 passed five subjects, and 43 students passed 4 subjects.

“They have done exceptionally well. These teachers put out so much effort to get the students on par with those who have a whole-day school setting,” Williams tells JIS News.