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We were at the awards ceremony and the Chairperson for the CXC National Committee of Belize Brenda Armstrong told us how important these achievements are in a student's academic life. We also spoke to the proud awardees and their parents.

Brenda Armstrong, Chair., CXC Nat'l Cmte. of Belize
"If I focus on the CSEC exams, in Belize we do not require that the students are successful in CSEC to go on to tertiary, but if they are successful in 6 or more they are automatically given a tuition free scholarship for the 2 years. So for parents who have children going on to junior college, their performance in CSEC is important and for the CAPE awardees, in terms of their further education those contribute significantly to them being eligible. Not only for going on to tertiary of further in tertiary at the regional level, but across the world CAPE is now recognized as matriculation for further study."

Fredezia Lambey, 1st Place - CSEC
"Before I sat the 16 I was reluctant, because I thought of all the work and all the study I had to do, but actually to my surprise it wasn't as bad as I expected. Like I went into it, 16 was a lot but I am a dedicated person, so being there doing that it didn't take a lot off of me then, like I actually enjoyed it."

Reporter
"Why did you decide to go for 16?"

Fredezia Lambey, 1st Place - CSEC
"I couldn't see myself doing any less. From a young age I aspired to do a lot, so I just couldn't see myself taking less than 16 CXCs."

"Physics was the only grade 2 I got. That was because of lack of preparation. The grade 2 that I got I am really proud of that, because I worked a lot into that."

"My favorite CXC would probably be economics. I am a science student, but I actually enjoy taking economics. Like I was confident that I would get a grade 1 in that."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"In terms of the hard work that you put in, although you said that it didn't take much of you, I am sure you had to put a lot in to be prepared for 16 CXCs?"

Fredezia Lambey, 1st Place - CSEC
"Yes. Because out of all the CXCs that I took, only 9 I actually like did in a formal classroom setting. All the rest I had to do extra. So that, especially business subjects that I had to do during the summer and Christmas. But I mean I just took a little more out of me, but at the end of the day it was worth it."

Amanda Graniel, 2nd Place - CSEC
"I had to stay up a lot and really the teachers I was working with, they did a really good job preparing us, giving us extra time."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Your advice to other students?"

Amanda Graniel, 2nd Place - CSEC
"Advice would be study a lot and challenge yourself, because I wasn't originally planning to take so much CXCs, but then I decided to take that challenge, because in the end it could be rewarding."

Joseph McGann, Father of 1st Place - CAPE
"She did extremely well and she has always been an excellent student actually, I should say that ever since pre-school she's been top of the school all the time without fail and I will say up there only twice she ever came in second in anything - was when she did the PSE, she came in number two and CSEC she came in number two."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"So for CAPE now, what are the results?"

Joseph McGann, Father of 1st Place - CAPE
"She got 9 units grade 1 everything."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"What is she studying and where is she going right now?"

Joseph McGann, Father of 1st Place - CAPE
"She is at the University of Illinois in the US and she is doing science."

Jose Can, Father of 2nd Place - CAPE
"Very proud of having a son that can achieve those things. I am very happy, yes."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"I am sure you were with him throughout the process preparing for these examinations. How was it for you as a parent and of course for him?"

Jose Can, Father of 2nd Place - CAPE
"For me I think my role was for encouraging him, helping him financially supporting doing everything within ability to make sure that he succeeds in life."

Again, Fredezia Lambey from Independence High School topped the CSEC exams with 15 grade one's and one grade two. Amanda Graniel from Edward P. York High School came in 2nd completing 17 CSEC exams. Liyan David Moralez from Bishop Martin High School came in 3rd.

Now for CAPE, Josette McGann from St. John's Junior College came in first with nine grade one's. Second place was Joshua Can from St. John's College Junior College. He got 6 grade one's. A number of other students got certificates of achievement and excellence.