Ethan is top performer in CPEA 2024

After completing his 2024 Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) examinations, Ethan Richard Kent thought he had made a lot of mistakes.

But his results proved otherwise.

The Indian Bay resident, who is a student of the Sugar Mill Academy, was the top performer in the 2024 CPEA, achieving an overall score of 493 out of 500.

The 11-year-old who will start the new school term at the Saint Vincent Grammar School (SVGS) told SEARCHLIGHT, “I was really happy to see my grades…I wasn’t really expecting it. It was kind of a shock, a surprise, because I thought I made many mistakes, but I was really happy to know that I got an average of 98.6…”.

In the individual subject scores, Ethan gained 75 out of 75 for Mathematics; 72 out of 75 for Language Arts; 74 out of 75 for Science; and 72 out of 75 for Social Studies.

“I’m really happy and excited to know that I came first because I was doubting…I wasn’t thinking that I will come first…as I made many mistakes and silly mistakes, that I know I could have gotten right,” he said yesterday, June 24, 2024.

The well-spoken student said Mathematics is his favourite subject, but while academically inclined, Ethan said his desire at this point is to pursue a career as a professional Chef or Tennis player.

Asked whether he can cook, Ethan replied in the affirmative, adding “I just really love cooking…and I like baking …it’s just a lot of fun for me…”, and shared “last time” having cooked lamb chops and mashed potatoes with mint sauce, which was “very tasty”.

He credits one of his aunts for tutoring him in his cooking.

As a tennis player, Ethan is currently ranked #2 in the under-14 division at the national level, and has played in tournaments in Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. His star is Rafeal Nadal.

The young athlete said he has been passionate about tennis from a very young age and while he plays competitively, he sees it as fun as he gets to travel and play in different tournaments.

He believes Tennis has played a part in his success in the CPEA.

“It helped me stick to my schedule and improve my discipline to do my schoolwork,” Ethan said, noting that he plays twice daily, six days a week.

He also credited his success in the exams with practising on past CPEA papers, as well as support from teachers, friends, and his parents.

“One of them is my friend, Darius Humphrey. He came second overall…my teachers, Mrs Agard, Miss Bullock and Mrs. Caesar.”

And, if he were to proffer advice, “ I would probably say, listen to your parents, and what you put in is what you’re gonna get out”.

Kent’s parents, Jean-Michele a hotelier, and Simone Kent, a lecturer

at the St. Vincent Community College Division of Nursing Education are proud of their son’s achievement.

“We knew he was going to do well, but I don’t think we expected him to do quite as well, Jean-Michele told SEARCHLIGHT.

“I’m very happy that he performed so well. I never doubted that he would do so well. Actually, I know his ability. Ethan is a go getter. When he sets his mind to do something he pushes forward to do it…he actually told me that he was going to come in the top 10.”

Recounting conversations sometimes while driving to school,Ethan’s mom said she would ask her son what he felt he would place, and he would say in the top

10; but one day he said number one, “and to our great amazement he did actually…so I am elated about it”.

However, Ethan said he was joking when he told his mom he would place first, but that is precisely what happened.

“I was on an online call with my friends and [another friend] joined the call and he told me that I came first…I was really happy and then I started screaming and jumping up and down. And then I started calling like family and friends,” Ethan said. His mom said discipline plays a big role in Ethan’s education, and his dad said they took a holistic approach to his schooling.