Young scholar eyes marine industry

By Horace Mills, BVI News Online Staff

There has been a lot of talk about British Virgin Islands youths not reaping enough benefits from the territory’s marine industry.

Elian Frazer, one of the two top performing male students at Elmore Stoutt High School, hopes to make the industry work better for the local youth.

His short-term goal, however, is to pursue a degree in marine science.

“I want to study the marine science field – engineering. I will then come back here [in the British Virgin Islands] and start something related to maritime and business,” said the Grade 12 student.

He told BVI News Online that members of his family traditionally are involved in the marine industry. “My family did it. We live in the islands; there is water everywhere. So why not [become involved in the marine industry]?” he asked rhetorically.

Asked if he thinks natives are adequately capitalizing on the industry, Frazer quipped: “Definitely not. Most of them just settle for less.”

The youngster is excited about hitting his marine goal, but he knows too well the importance of having a strong foundation in academics.

Frazer said he already has Grade One (the highest possible grade) in Mathematics and English Language in CSEC exams, which are administered by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).

He sat 10 other CXC subjects this year, and he told BVI News Online that is upbeat about the outcome.

Frazer is also the second best performing male student in the 2017 secondary school leaving exams at Elmore Stoutt High School. He also finished sixth out of the school’s batch of 162 final year students.

The youngster, who is a past student of Isabella Morris Primary School, told BVI News Online that he is no stranger to academic success. “From primary school, I was always in the top three. It was a habit,” he said.

Fraser, like his other batch-mates interviewed by BVI News Online, declared that it was difficult to study for CXC exams and secondary school leaving exams at the same time.

“It was kinda tough balancing both,” he explained. “I was doing the best and expecting the worse. It was surprising that I finished so high. But I’m kinda proud now, and everybody is showing me love and appreciation.”

Fraser, in the meantime, is the son of Ramona Rodrigues and Lincoln. His other relatives include uncles Reynell Frazer – former Commissioner of Police, and Denniston Frazer – Managing Director of BVI Airports Authority.