Briyah elated with PEP results, despite missing gov’t scholarship by a point
Published:Thursday | July 3, 2025 | 12:08 AMAshley Anguin/Gleaner Writer
To access this article in full please login or register today
Western Bureau: The 2025 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations was a bittersweet experience for 12-year-old Briyah Brissett, a student of the Greater Destiny Preparatory and Kindergarten (GDPK) in St James, as, while she got the high school of...
Western Bureau:
The 2025 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations was a bittersweet experience for 12-year-old Briyah Brissett, a student of the Greater Destiny Preparatory and Kindergarten (GDPK) in St James, as, while she got the high school of her choice, she missed getting a government scholarship by a mere one point.
Undaunted by narrowly missing the government scholarship, Briyah, who amassed 389.9 out of a possible 400 points, is even more resolute in her efforts to excel going forward.
“I am excited and proud that I got my first choice,” said Briyah, the head girl at GDPK. “Honestly, I was aiming for a government scholarship because I know my potential. But as my mother would always say, ‘You win some and you lose some.’”
Briyah, whose favourite subject is mathematics, wants to become a lawyer and, being self-assured, she believes her debating skills have helped to drive that passion.
Krystal Morgan, Briyah’s mother, is not surprised by her accomplishment, telling The Gleaner that her daughter has always set high standards.
“She did well,” said the obviously pleased mother. “I never had any doubt that she would pass. She’s very driven and self-motivated. I am very elated and extremely proud of her.”
According to Briyah, her biggest motivators are her parents, baby sister, principal and school’s director. She now wants to be a role model for her sibling and guide her on the right path.
PROUD BUT NOT SURPRISED
Briyah’s father, Dominice Brissett, was not hesitant in celebrating his daughter’s success as he basked in her achievements.
“Words cannot describe her, as they are not enough to fully encapsulate the phenomenon she really is,” the proud father said. “I am delighted and proud, but not surprised by the results.”
He father added: “She is dynamic and determined. An artistic, creative, goal-oriented, honest and passionate child.”
The school had 24 students sitting the PEP examinations, and 23 of them got their first-choice high school. Briyah was the top student overall at the school.
Looking forward to life at Montego Bay High School, Briyah is already setting her sights on doing big things.
“The goals I have set for myself are to continue being an academic scholar, along with setting a high standard. I want to be the next head girl or a part of the student prefect body. I am also looking forward to a few extracurricular activities, one for sure being netball like my mother.”
Yvonne Hill, the principal at GDPK, described Briyah as a go-getter and an all-round brilliant student.
“Whenever work is given to her, she will do her best to be on top. I was looking to get even more in her passes but with her grade, it put our school on top. She is highly proficient in three of the subjects and ranked [in the] 99th percentile in the ability test,” said Hill.
As for upcoming PEP students, Briyah is advising that getting their mental state right is important when sitting the exams.
“As long as you have a strong support system, which I would say is the key, you will feel confident enough to sit the exams,” she said. “Study hard. Just remain focused and try to grasp or gain much information from your teacher.”