Deniane John, originally of Salisbury but residing in Colihaut, has been named Dominica’s top scholar for 2012.
This, after earning A* in Biology, A* in Chemistry, A in Physics and A in General Paper in this year’s GCE A Level exams.
At a news conference on Friday to announce the top scholar John said she was elated that she had earned the distinction. “I would like to thank the members of the A Level support program especially Mr (Felix) Wilson,” she said.
She also extended congratulations to the students who also performed well in the exams.
Denis Guye, of Castle Comfort, was the second top performer. He obtained grade A* in Biology, A* in Chemistry, A* in Physics and A in General Paper.
In third place was Tishena Lloyd who obtained A in Biology, B in chemistry, C in Physics and an A in General Paper.
A* means 90 percent and over.
During the press conference president of the Dominica State College, Dr. Donald Peters, congratulated the students and urged them to perform well at the university level.
He encouraged the students to choose a career that they like and that will help them, their family and their nation and urged them to be whatever they want to be.
At the news conference Education Minister Petter Saint- Jean thanked the GCE Support Group Program for their commitment and for facilitating the students. He also called on parents, teachers, schools and the community to work with the ministry to ensure every Dominican succeeds and plays an active role in national development.
The Island Scholar will receive a full government scholarship to any university of her choice while the other performers will also receive government scholarships.
How mamselle get dat dere?? And Dennis do better dan her???? Hmmmmm I suspet a money pass somewhere….
Excellent point Somfing wong!!! You have said something right. Now, all we have to do is find out who got that money. I suspect it could not be the UWP,as they are in opposition, and hardly attend parliament anyway. Hmm that leaves very very few other suspects. Perhaps we should just ask the…
Jack has 4 one hundred bills.
Jane has 3 one hundred bills 2 fifty dollar bills and one five dollar bill?
Class who has the most money?
I guess it must be jack then, because he has four bigger bills
so people have to explain EVERYTHING for all you?
jeez! use your brains people. Acting like all you never want to school and had your grades averaged.
is the same thing! She must have gotten higher grades than he did in at least 2 of the subjects and when you put it all together, she had the highest aggregate score.
seriously folks, it is NOT rocket science!
mudd i see your point and you are absolutely correct. however if you separate A* from an A then you should not use an aggregate system to determine the top performer; because essentially what is said is that someone with a B and 3A s could possibly get to be the top performer over one with 4 A s. See how off this would sound? regardless congratulations to the top performers especially Dennis who did both programs.
Investing in Education pays the highest Interest. They are the future of Dominica. I have seen a lot before them, left Dominica, never to return…sad!
Congrats to all. Salisbury Ahead!!!!!!!!
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Congrats to all the students , especially the top three.
I am a lost to understand that just last week, the President of the DSC chastised Mr. Wilson and the A-Level Support Program and indicated that the DSC will not take up the program. Now they are recognizing the students and offering them Scholarship. Why isn’t the DSC offering A-Levels so as to give the students greater options for studies at universities? Although they are not offering A-Levels, the DSC is offering CXC support programes for those who did did not pass, what a paradox.
The PM is all for OECS integration and the free movement of skilled persons. How are we to compete with our regional counterparts if we not given equal opportunity for advancement. They all do the CXC advanced proficiency exam we don’t
they are
The outcome of the 2012island scholarship is unexpected and unfortunate! How can Denis Guye who received 3A *distinctions at A level and an A at AO level, not receive the island scholarship? Diniane obtained 2 A* distinctions, and a regular A at advanced level with an A at AO. The only time that the point system would be administered is if the grades were tied; and a tie breaker was needed. But the grades between the 2 were obvioulsy not tied. If this criteria of point system is the first level of scoring , then someone who receives an A and a B at A level could get the island scholarship, over someone who excelled by obtaining 2 As. Obviously something seems wrong here! Dominicans need to know exactly what is the criteria for the island scholarship and when was the criteria put in place, because this makes no sense whatsoever…This issue needs to be publicly addressed in a forum such as “talking point”. We need to rally for logic and fairness in our nation!!!
My lady.
The Island Scholar was selected based on the profiles sent from Cambridge. Deniane John received the highest composite score.
I was thinking the same thing after reading the article…I am from Salisbury but fair is fair
Get your facts straight please!
I am not certain that anyone is 100% confident about the methodology that is used in calculating the scores. Still, I would like to present another calculation option to the table.
Is it not possible that the average of the A’s with distinction was used to choose the scholar?
i.e.
98+97 = 195 / 2 = 97.5
91+93+92 = 276 / 3 = 92
When you add the other scores to that, your scholar is found.
Either way, I believe we should support out scholars instead of sowing seeds of discord and dissension amongst them.
None of us are properly informed on the methodology and we are instead sapping away the joy that the two top scholars should have.
Deniane’s hard work will be overshadowed by the negativity she is getting by people who believe that she does not deserve the scholarship. While Denis’s hard work will be overshadowed by the negativity of believing that he was slighted.
Instead of pulling all of these scholars apart, why not encourage them to work together for the good of themselves, their families and the country?
I am very much concerned about the fact that Diniane who received only 2 A* distinctions and 1 A at advanced level and and A at AO level got the island scholarship,when it was Denis Guye, who received the better grades; with 3 A* distinctions at A level and an Additional A at AO level. Obviously Denis got the better grades at grade level. So, it was not the matter that the grades were tied.If the grades were tied, then this is when it would be necessaRY to resort to the point system. Dominicans need to get clarification as to the criteria that was used for their island scholarship and when it was put in place , because this outcomethis year seems conflicting. Are you going to tell me that if someone gets 2 A and someoone else got and A and a B, the latter person could get the island scolarship? That would be absolutely ridiculous! I think the people of Dominica need to ask questions aboout the way that the island scholarship was awarded!! This is something that should be publicly discussed on a forum such as talking point. Dominicans need to be informed!!!!
i love to hear that another young person do something good and bad.
all the best in life Ms John.
MAY GOD CONTINUE 2 BLESS U DARLING
good and not bad sorry
Congrats to all especially Arlene and Luke on this achievement. I know all your kids did well!! Great job.
I still don’t understand how DENNIS GUYE didn’t get the island scholar? I DO understand the whole average thing but on what basis do they decide to use it to determine who actually gets the island scholar? Because just looking at it, 3 A*’s and an A is better than 2 A*’s and 2 A’s.
I understand if there was a tie and so they have to use the point system, but clearly there wasn’t. And if that is the case, then they had better calculate everyone’s grades based on points. Because someone who gets two(2) A* and a B can get the island scholar over someone who gets three(3) A’s.
The number of points are sent along with the grades, so it is easy to tell who had the most points. The island scholar is the person who had the highest average.
Ebeh i marking dem next year. Cause next year when i do my exam they better use point system or else is higass!!
Congratulations all. Success feels great,you made us proud.
congrates to my dear cuz miss John we all knew you could do it.Luke and Arlene walk with your heads even higher.
Congratulations to all of you. You have demonstrated that studious and diligent work wins in the end. I visualize that it took a lot of effort on your part to achieve “A’s”. You are a model for other students. Your parents and other members of your family are obviously extremely proud of you. They, too, share in your happiness. I wish you all the best in your future studies. God bless you!
How I wish these Kids would have Relatives & Family able to assit them in furthering themselves. these Grades call for HARVARD, PRINCETON,YALE,OXFORD etc I sincerely wish them WELL.
they are offered scholarships to any university of their choice
You forget to list the University of the West Indies. This university is of equal quality as those you mentioned
You must be joking right? Do you really believe UWI has the same rank as Harvard. Nothing against UWI – good school – but lets be real.
I would like to congratulate these students for their outstanding performance. You’ve got every reason to be proud of yourselves! Your hard work has paid off. You now have a key to possibly enter a top university : Harvard, Columbia, Cambridge, Oxford, MIT, CalTech, Princeton….etc.
I would also like to say thank you to educators such as Mr. Felix “Jabez” Wilson, who took action to respond to the deficiency in the current education system, which severely limits the possibility of dominican children to develop to their fullest potential. Before CXC, there was a clear and well established path to academic development; GCE “Ordinary” Levels, then “Advanced” levels; then university. Now in Dominica, we have CXC General paper, but no Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (CAPE), the CXC equivalent of “A” levels, as is being done in other Caribbean countries.
The students and parents today are so confused about what to do after high school. Some help themselves by going outside of the “established system of the Ministry of Education”, to people like Mr. Wilson, to try to keep their dreams alive. The outside help is not free, nor is it subsidized by government, which makes that option beyond most students.
I just cannot understand why we have adopted CXC Basic and General Paper, but not the Advanced Proficiency paper!yes, we know about the associate degree program at DSC, but was it necessary to eliminate the option of advanced levels(GCE/CAPE), are they mutually exclusive? I think that we should make available all possible avenues and tools to allow our youth to further themselves. We have students who have, and are able to gain admission into world renown universities, and the government must do its best to facilitate them, or at the least, not confuse or hinder them. Let the students, through the DSC, have the choice of paths from which they can select.
CONGRATULATIONS!1
Wow, that is AMAZING. Now you’re set. You’re going to get scholarships and many doors going to open. Take them and utilize them to the best of your ability.
GET out of D.CA and the sky is the limit!!!!!!
Yes I said it!!! Get mad
Congratulations!!! Your hard work definitely paid off!!.
I SUPPORT CONCERNED PLEASE EXPLAIN SOMEONE IN THE KNOW
Admin, would be grateful if you would get some clarification on this story, because i am unable to understand how Denis Guye who obtained grade A* in Biology, A* in Chemistry, A* in Physics and A in General Paper could be second to Deniane John’s A* in Biology, A* in Chemistry, A in Physics and A in General Paper. Thanks
It’s possible that miss john’s A* grades were equivalent to 99 or 100 percent, while mr guye’s grades could have been 90 or 95.
This would give miss John a higher aggregate score.
BY THE WAY, rankings are set by Cambridge not Dominica.
Truth is the difference may be negligible, it’s like asking who was smarter? Charles Darwin, Galileo, or Einstein? Or the Wright Brothers?
It’s good to see such intelligence among a sea of people who value pageantry as highly as we do.
ALL the best, kids
Rankings are set by Cambridge? Still? Dominica is independent.
An ‘A’ is a 90% or higher grade. Being they each have four A’s doesn’t necessarily mean that they had the same grade in terms of percentage. She could’ve been 97% average and he could’ve been 95% average. Just bear in mind that it’s 90-100% that gives a student an A. Capisce? Nice
Sorry, I meant A* (distinction) is 90% and over.
Actually I believe that it is because of Dennis’s age.. he is 19.. I think to be illegible for the scholarship you must be 18 or under
Congratulations to all those who did well and those who did not do so well the only thing that matters is you all tried and remember no matter how many “A`s one receive in the end the only thing that matters is how you all shape your individual life and that comes with mental discipline, Respect for all and the Gratitude to say thank you to your parents and those who help to shape your early child hood. I know its easier said than done” Regardless, of what happens from here on without the blessings of God and parents,one is destined to fail in life. You all are our leaders for the future so good luck and keep pressing.
All of them tried. The best ones won. It is like the athletes. They all tried their best but there is only one winner and two runner-ups. They are all to be congratulated.
what is the state college offering? ie it associate degree or GCE A Level.becaue is only children their parents that can afford will do GCE.so change the law to allow all the students at the college the smae.Our college cannot be teaching associate degree and the state award scholarship to stucent that do GCE why is that
The college has now taken over the GCE A level support programme. However, based on what I have heard, the scholarships offered also extend to the student with the highest GPA from the associate degree programme. Furthermore, not all students are interested in sitting the A level examination for one reason or another, and so, it is best that the programmes remain separate.
CONGRATS to all who excelled this year, especially Denis and Tish!
CONGRATULATIONS!
SHE IS SIMPLY THE BEST.
Congrats to the 3 of you .. Keep up the great work in your future endeavours.
Learner, Well the government and everybody else should prepare for its sons and daughters of the soil to keep them when they are through studying. You know the kind of runaround graduate get in Da, Regular comment is, Who sent you and study and get big degree to come back in the same job ? Stupes. It’s almost a sin to get tertiary education and after your hard work Dominicans hold it against you. This has been happening for donkey years so guess what,those of you who can get a pull string good for you, the rest somewhere else will gladly accept you unless you want to wait until your party gets into government or someone dies for there to be an opening!
They average the raw numbers.
Congratulations to all three. Very impressive grades.
i would like to congratulate the students for their success.
There is great hypocrisy by the minister of education and the president. neither the ministry no the college offers and organize classes for the A level Student. if you notice all students who do science that are catered for the A level , there is no support for the business student. all those who support the science are those that children or family and friends are doing the science. if Mr. Wilson so concern about the A level he should also seek support for the business students
I have the very same question as Concerned
Congrats to my litle “niece” Deniane. This is Luke’s (her dad) home boy. I am so proud beyond words – U have no idea. This is a real triump over all obstacles and validates blazing one’s own path!
Especially for a child who was home school all her life. That’s to show that you don’t have to be in a classroom to learn.
Phew some good news, thank God for academic achievement or else we would have nothing to sing about back home, keep it up young people we have some hope for the future.
I was thinking the same thing….or perhaps Admin may have gotten the grading wrong.
You people need to understand. If you sit an exam and the pass mark for A is 95% and upwards. When the results come you get 96%= A, 95% = A and I get 98% = A and 99% = A, who top the exams me or you with both of us obtaining As. thats simply
mudd i see your point and you are absolutely correct. however if you separate A* from an A then you should not use an aggregate system to determine the top performer. because essentially what is said is that someone with a B and 3A s could possibly get to be the top performer over one with 4 A s. See how off this would sound? regardless congratulations to the top performers especially Dennis who did both programs.
congrats students! Keep it going!!! All the best!
What I don’t understand is why they are not doing Maths. How can u be doing Chem and Physics without Maths. Can’t do engineering without it.
congrats son…
Congrats young people !!!!!!!! Amazing results.
DUH Cambridge gives the top performer !!!!!!!! An A could be 99 or 90 DUH !!!!!!!!!!
Congrats!Keep up the good work
congrats to u all especially my cuz Ms Llody
please correct the name for me admin. it’s Deniane
congrats Diane..i was wonering if it’s Luke John’s daughter. i know like john children are brainiacs. well taught..like father and mother and children. if yes moore congrats to you.
yup she’s Arlene and Luke’s daughter.
please ,please ,please when u all receive these scholarship from gov`t to further ur studies please go back and give back to dominica.i know of people living in the i know of people living in the U.S
Learner pray that the government keep their promise because i personally know someone who the gov’t suppose to be helping , and is a problem to pay the school . Right now the person got stuck with a promise not kept. The ended up in a very bad situation.
@ learner
I expect when they receive scholarships there are conditions that after completion of their studies, they have to return to work in DA. I knew some who did. As I recall the government could also send them to work in other islands. I do not know if this still exists in DA.
I knew of one who returned and re-paid the government, no doubt, through a bank loan and returned to the country where he studied. This was not patriotic but that was his preference. Dominica needs some professionals especially in the medical field.
How in the world does three A distinctions plus and additional “A” by Dennis Guye get beaten by two A distinctions and an additional two “A”s by Deniane John?
I was wondering the same thing. Admin I think we need some clarification here.
Direct your queries to Cambridge why don’t you.
Why do we ask these questions when we know perfectly well there must be a logical explanation.
Simple law of averages my dear…
Would it make sense to you that she got higher grades than he did in the subjects that they both scored A* in… and the subject in which he got A* and she got A, his points were not significantly higher to edge her out?
Just what I am thinking. Can someone please clear the air as to how was that possible or are there other factors which come to play in making that decision.
They both got 4 A’s. its the percentage that determines who gets island scholar
I noticed the same thing as well. Besides wasn’t Guye already ingterviewed on radio for being the most successful?
About to ask the same question. Perhaps its a printing error. However if the information is correct some explanation is necessary.
was saying the same but congrats to all….
I was just about to ask the same question. Hello who ever wrote this press release….something is wrong there.
How in the world does three A distinctions plus and additional “A” by Dennis Guye get beaten by two A distinctions and an additional two “A”s by Deniane John?
HELP!
they both got 3 A’s; however, she had the higher average score…
An A for her could be 95 and for him could have been 93…
I am thinking the same thing. I thought it must be an error. From what i see he did beter than she did.
My sentiments as well. Could someone please provide some clarity on this one!!!!
Hi Guys, Just wanted to explain that apparently the Island Scholarship is allocated based on composite points from Cambridge, not on grades attained. Deniane had higher scores than the person with three A*. Thanks, her Aunt.
Well her aunt, could you go on to expound on the fact that she only went to the support program and spent the rest of her day with her nose buried in a book. While dennis guye attended the dominica state college, pursuing an associates degree in chemistry biology and physics which had differing sylubuses from the a level course, in addition to electives and extracurricular activities. And even then she was only able to beat him by a narrow margin of three points.
yh right @aunt (don’t know if u detected my sarcasm)
Well her aunt, could you go on to expound on the fact that she only went to the support program and spent the rest of her day with her nose buried in a book. While dennis guye attended the Dominica state college, pursuing an associates degree in chemistry biology and physics which had differing sylubuses from the a level course, in addition to electives and extracurricular activities. And even then she was only able to beat him by a narrow margin of three points.
Yes DNO check this out. There must be a typo.
I d like to venture a guess that they would have to look at the numerical grades in order to make a determination in a case like this. I stand corrected of course.
In a case like what, though? There was no tie.
I am confused as well!
Probably here A* we very much higher than his and her A pretty close to A* which would give her maybe a a higher average than him
May be it has something to do with school spirit! You cannot be an Island scholar and end up working in the archives because you are a hermit!
i have never had the misfortune to read such utter garbage before in my whole entire life.
Jean Bef, it is better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt
Congratulations Kids!
well she never went to school so she couldn’t have school spirit
DNO should have quoted the Minister for Education who was very clear in explaining how the top scholar was selected by CAMBRIDGE. By reporting the grades as was done, this was sure to create confusion and generate sentiments of unfairness from readers.
Congratulations Deniane. Please enjoy this superior level of achievement. May God continue to bless and protect you.
i was wondering the same thing …