Top student in this year’s Common Entrance Examination, Gian-Paul Baker, found out last Friday that sometimes, it literally pays to excel in academics.{{more}}

Baker, who was engaged in graduation rehearsals that morning, received a surprise visit by members of staff of fast food establishment Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), who journeyed to the Kingstown Preparatory School to hand deliver a cheque valued EC $1,289.

The KFC staff, led by general manager Shanda Boyea and their mascot Chicky, arrived at the school just after 11 a.m., carrying with them red and white balloons, a bouquet of flowers and an enlarged cheque with Baker’s name written on it.

As they entered the school’s compound, students completely ignored what was going on in their classrooms and rushed to the balcony shouting, “KFC Chicky. KFC Chicky…”

At first, no one knew what the visit was about, but after the disclosure by KFC’s general manager, students and teachers alike changed the chants to “Gian-Paul, Gian-Paul, Gian-Paul.”

A short presentation was made to Baker, in the presence of his grade six classmates, who, throughout the presentation, continued shouting his name.

A surprised and excited Baker told SEARCHLIGHT that he was lost for words, as he wasn’t expecting the reward.

“I am very grateful and I’ll encourage other students to work hard and their reward will be great,” the top student said, smiling from ear to ear.

Boyea explained that Baker was rewarded with a dollar for every child who was successful in this year’s Common Entrance Examinations.

“We thought that more than ever, our young people today need some encouragement. They need to see good being celebrated, especially now.

“We thought that with the Common Entrance Exam we would approach the Ministry to partner with, in rewarding excellence,” Boyea said.

“Yes, many of them sat the exams, but we wanted to make sure that we sent the message that if you work hard, you get rewarded,” she added.

The teaching staff of the Kingstown Preparatory school was also treated to lunch, compliments KFC.

“We wanted to reward the staff because we knew that the students couldn’t have done it on their own…” Boyea commented.

Meanwhile, deputy headteacher Samuel Holder commended the KFC management for rewarding Baker for his achievement, as well as recognizing the efforts of the teachers.

“We, as a staff, are very happy that someone can recognize the sort of effort and sacrifices that teachers on a whole and students would have put in.

“It’s great to see that somebody can turn around and show some level of appreciation,” Holder stated. (AA)