He’s just a few months shy of his 12th birthday, but Mona Heights Primary student Mikhail Morris is already quite clear about the career he wants to pursue.
Concerned about the challenge that mathematics poses for many of his peers, Mikhail said his dream is to become a teacher of the subject.
Mikhail, who is hailed by his teachers as a top student, is regarded as a math whizz. In fact, he scored 100 per cent in mathematics in the 2015 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
“In the future, I would like to be a math teacher because I am very good at the subject,” the confident young man told the Government’s news agency, the Jamaica Information Service.
“I know that a lot of people do not do well in this area, so I would want to assist them with it,” he added.
The head boy impressed guests at the school’s graduation ceremony last Thursday, July 2, where he eloquently delivered the valedictory address.
His father, Clyde Morris, who is an information technology (IT) professional, said he knows that some persons would question Mikhail’s desire to be a teacher, but as parents, they encourage him to do what he loves.
“We are not stressing him about that, because if that’s what he loves, that’s what he loves. He could become a math professor, you never know. We know there is so much that he can do,” Morris said.
In addition to his perfect marks in math, Mikhail scored 100 per cent in English Language, Social Studies, and Communication Task, and 98 per cent in Science. These impressive scores earned him a spot at his secondary school of choice, the prestigious St Andrew-based Campion College.
Mikhail was also a member of the Mona Heights Primary Junior School’s Challenge Quiz team which placed third in the competition. He had responsibility for the mathematics questions.
“We are very proud of him. We knew he was going to do well on the GSAT,” Morris said.
He described Mikhail as quiet, disciplined and very focused on his school work.
“When he has work to do, you don’t have to tell him to do it. He will pressure you to help him with it if he can’t complete it himself,” Morris said.
He noted that Mikhail also uses resources on the Internet to solve math problems. “He is hungry for knowledge and good at searching for knowledge by himself,” he pointed out.
For Mikhail, who has two younger siblings also attending Mona Heights Primary, there is no huge secret to his success. He said that he just studies very hard, sometimes staying up late into the night, and he always puts God first.
Mikhail said that he is also motivated by people he knows who have accomplished great things through hard work.
He encouraged students who are underperforming to work as hard as he does to be able to do well in school.
“In my opinion, I would tell them to work harder, study more, play less and always put God first in their life,” he advised.
Mikhail used his valedictory speech to express gratitude to the teachers and parents who have supported the graduating class, as well as to highlight the milestones and successes of the school and its impact on their lives.
Meanwhile, Morris said he envisions even more success for his son.
“I just hope he continues to do well. I know that Campion is one of the most competitive schools in the country, and I just hope that at Campion he will continue to shine and do well,” he said.
Congratulations to the young man.his family must be proud. what a big achievement
Congrats young man!
Congrats little man, God bless you!