Sugar Ray Thomas
It took hard work, dedication, sacrifice and excellent time management, for 17-year-old Devrow Boyd of Gayle, St Mary to achieve success.
When his father had a stroke in April of 2014, Boyd made the tough decision of leaving the parish’s top school, St Mary High School, almost at the end of grade nine to attend Tacky High School, which was closer to his home in Gayle, St Mary.
Fast forward two years later, Boyd has benefitted from that decision as he passed all 15 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects he sat in June.
The Tacky High School past student who has dreams of becoming a medical doctor, attained four grade one passes, ten grade two passes and a three in the subjects that he sat.
“I am a proud Christian and being a Christian has certainly helped me a lot through the process. If it had not been for the Lord on my side, I would not have made it to where I am and I know he is not through with me yet,” Boyd said, while adding that he is a proud member of the Gayle Light in the Valley Pentecostal Church.
Boyd did seven subjects in regular classes at Tacky High School and took on the addition of doing eight subjects on his own, which were “self taught.” For some it might have been two great a task, but not for him.
“There was never a shadow of a doubt in my mind that I would pass all 15 (subjects). I knew myself and I knew what I was capable of. I had a study timetable which I followed. I started studying at 8 p.m. and stopped at about 2 or 2:30 a.m.,” Boyd explained.
Boyd also balanced his studies well by being active in extra-curricular activities at Tacky High School. He was captain of the school’s debate team, executive member of the prefect body and member of the drama, 4-H and ISCF clubs.
And when the results came, Boyd received grades one in English A, Biology, Integrated Science and Physical Education and Sport.
He received grade two passes in Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Electrical and Electronic Technology (Technical), Information Technology, Mathematics, Office Administration, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish and Theatre Arts.
His sole grade three was in Physics.
Though it was financially challenging for him, Boyd committed himself to his goal of achieving success.
Boyd’s parents, Carlton Boyd and Carmeta Housen-Boyd, his sisters, Sasha Darby and Latoya Roberts and his brother Akeem Darby were very helpful and supportive on his quest to achieve.
Boyd also expressed his gratitude to those staff members of Tacky High School who assisted on his journey. “I would like to thank: my principal, Errol Bascoe; my Spanish teacher, Donna Bailey Pearson; my information technology teacher, Orayne Jackson and most importantly my family,” he said.
Boyd’s next journey on his road to success is at the University of the West Indies (UWI) open campus in Ocho Rios, where he hopes to sit his Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) subjects.
“My advice to students sitting CXC subjects next year is that they should ensure that they manage their time properly and not engage in too many activities that will squander their time, and keep focused,” Boyd advised. 
