In November 2007, the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) sponsored awards to the island's top CXC science students.

Jason Lofter

Top in CXC chemistry (2007)

After successfully sitting eight subjects, and receiving as many distinctions at York Castle High School, Jason is now in sixth form at Glenmuir High.

At York Castle, Jason was involved in the Debate Society, Spanish Club, 4-H Club, the Schools' Challenge Quiz Club and served as deputy head boy.

He is an active member of his church, the Bethlehem Gospel Hall, in St Ann's Bay, where he serves as president of the Youth Fellowship.

Career goal: to become a doctor.

Study strategy: "Read a lot. Ask a lot of questions of teachers, parents and friends. I talk to myself when I'm studying." He explained that this helps to reinforce the information.

Secret of success: Never give up.

Norie-Shantaye McKnight

Top in CXC agricultural science double award - animal and plant science (2007)

Norie-Shantaye sat nine CXC subjects in fifth form at Hampton High School, and received eight distinctions. She is now in lower sixth form. She is involved in the Chess Club, Inter-Schools' Christian Fellowship and the Debating Club.

Career goal: To become a biochemist or biotechnologist.

Study strategy: Revise notes when you come home from school every day and do additional research on the Internet.

Secret of success: Work hard and study because at the end of the day, everything is as hard as you think it is. If you think it is easy, then it will be easy.

Omaine Morgan

Top in CXC agricultural science; single award - animal science (2007)

Having successfully obtained nine CXC subjects, with three distinctions, this St Elizabeth Technical High School student is now in lower-sixth form.

He is a member of the 4-H Club and Debating Club and is a lover of athletics.

Omaine also operates his own livestock farm, which he manages based on the scientific principles gleaned from his studies.

Study strategy: I go to bed very early and wake around 2:00 a.m. and study until 6:00 a.m.

Marceno Nembhard

Top in CXC electrical & electronic technology (2007)

After pursuing seven subjects and receiving distinctions in all of them, Marceno has continued at Dinthill Technical High School.

He has served as head boy and prefect, and is an avid music lover, playing both the keyboard and bass guitar.

Career goal: to become a chemical engineer or actuary.

Study strategy: Make sure you understand what is taught in class. Sometime, I also teach my friends, which helps the information to stick in my mind.

Secret of success: Be dedicated.

Darren Gooden

Top in CXC information technology (2007)

After successfully obtaining three CXC subjects in fourth form, Darren sat six CXC subjects and two CAPE subjects (communication studies and pure math - units one and two) in fifth form.

He received distinctions in all subjects. He has continued at Manchester High School, where he is now in lower sixth form.

He is now captain of the Schools' Challenge Quiz team and has served as an executive member of the Inter-Schools' Christian Fellowship for the past four years.

Career goal: to become a mathematician or a theoretical physicist

Study strategy: Understand the underlying concept rather than memorising.

Secret of success: Don't limit yourself.

Secret to success: hard work. It's what you put in that you get out.