Roberts chasing her own dreams

Every now and again patients are medically evacuated from the British Virgin Islands to other countries for treatment.

“I want to bring down the number of cases where that happens by becoming a surgeon,” declared 16-year-old scholar Chris-Tiann Roberts. “I just want to give back in that way.”

Roberts, who is top student at St Georges Secondary School with a perfect Grade Point Average of 4.0, told BVI News Online that such success did not result from last-minute preparation.

“I am humbled and I am honoured to be top student. I knew that I tried my best and that is what got me here… I knew that I had to be consistent with my grades throughout the entire year – any little test; any little assignments. I try to keep consistent with my work since I was in Form One,” Roberts said.

She is also hoping for high marks in the 12 Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) subjects she sat this year. They are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Integrated Science, Human and Social Biology, Mathematics, English A, Principles of Accounts, English Literature, Information Technology, Social Studies, and Spanish.

“My work ethic was drilled into me from I was a child. My parents expected me to try my best to do well. Since primary school, they encouraged me that I have to do my work and homework. So, it came from them,” Roberts told BVI News Online.

Even with a strict study schedule, she has managed to enjoy life through other activities including occasional video-gaming.

“I don’t really game that much, but I can beat somebody in FIFA or Call of Duty; I was trained,” she joked. “I also enjoy going out with friends and I like to play the piano.”

Roberts, in the meantime, advised youngsters to chase after their dreams – not someone else’s.

“You don’t have to follow people to be successful. You can find what it is that you love, and then you have to chase it. I think that when you do something that you love, you tend to excel more at it,” she added.