Academic excellence is nothing new in the Dwarka household.
At 17, Boveena Kareena Dwarka of Reliance, Essequibo Coast, is following a family tradition of high achievement, earning 15 Grade Ones and 11 Grade Twos from an ambitious 26 CSEC subjects.
Her brother Pradesh had already shown her what was possible, earning an outstanding 24 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos from the same number of subjects. Another brother, Navindra, earned 10 Grade Ones and five Grade Twos.
Pradesh’s achievement became a source of motivation for Boveena as she prepared for her own examinations. But while his results set a high academic standard, Boveena was determined to build a future that was uniquely hers.
She has her sights set on pharmacy.
“I aspire to become a pharmacist, combining my love for science with my passion for helping others,” she said.
Her ambition goes beyond a professional title. Boveena hopes to use her knowledge to help people, contribute to Guyana’s public healthcare system and, one day, serve on a health board where she can help shape decisions affecting communities across the country.
That goal gave her plenty of reason to stay focused when the 26-subject workload became demanding.
Managing classes, assignments, SBAs and examination preparation was not easy. There were times when the workload became overwhelming, but Boveena learned to manage her time, stay organised and keep working towards the bigger picture.
The discipline she developed along the way is something she knows she will need as she pursues a career in healthcare.
And she did not have to make that journey alone.
Her parents, Ganesh and Shazeena Dwarka, supported her throughout her education, while her brothers’ achievements gave her both an example to follow and a reminder of what dedication can produce.
Even with all that preparation, Boveena admits she was initially disappointed when she saw her results because she had expected more from herself.
With some perspective, however, she has come to appreciate what she accomplished.
Fifteen Grade Ones from 26 subjects is a result she can be proud of, and one that gives her a strong foundation for the next stage of her education.
For her, the CSEC results are not the finish line. They are another step towards the pharmacist she hopes to become and the contribution she wants to make to healthcare in Guyana.
And for students preparing to take on their own examinations, her advice comes from experience: stay organised, create a realistic study schedule, remain consistent and believe in your ability to succeed.
But her motivation is not simply to match the achievements of those around her. She wants to create her own path, one that leads into healthcare and ultimately allows her to serve others.
Her next step is to pursue tertiary education at the University of Guyana, while also studying through the University of St. Vincent and the Grenadines under the GOAL Scholarship Programme.
As she looks toward that future, Boveena understands that becoming a pharmacist will require years of dedication. Yet the challenges she has already overcome have helped prepare her for that journey.
She describes herself as grateful and proud of her CSEC accomplishment, even though she initially felt disappointed because she had expected more from herself. In hindsight, however, her results demonstrate the level of commitment she has already developed.
Her dream has given her direction. Her challenges have built her resilience. Her family has strengthened her determination. Together, these experiences are shaping Boveena into the person she hopes to become , not only a knowledgeable pharmacist, but a compassionate professional committed to helping others and contributing to the future of healthcare in Guyana.
Her message to students preparing for CSEC is simple: stay organized, create a realistic study schedule, remain consistent and believe in your ability to succeed.
