The top students for the Virgin Islands at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. From left: Jene J.M. Barnwell, Nickalah Tyson, and Keischel R.A. Aquino. Photo: Provided

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. Y. de Castro (AL), left, presented Jene M. Barnwell with a trophy and a cash prize for graduating as Valedictorian of the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School in July 2025. Photo: Frozen Moments Photography

The BVI Seventh-day Adventist School has produced the two top students of the territory at CSEC 2025. Photo: Facebook

The CSEC exam results were released last month; however, it was only on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, that the Ministry of Education disclosed who the top 3 students of the territory were.

Top students

Barnwell, who topped the territory, attained 9 Grade Ones and a Grade Two pass from 10 subjects written.

Tyson, who placed second in the territory, wrote 9 subjects and attained 9 Grade Ones.

Placing third was Keischel R.A. Aquino of St George’s Secondary School. Aquino wrote 8 subjects and attained 8 Grade Ones.

412 candidates from across the territory sat the CSEC examinations in June 2025.

‘We pushed each other’- Barnwell

Barnwell, who is currently attending the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) in Trinidad and Tobago, told our News Centre she worked hard and prayed a lot, but she was still surprised to have emerged as the top student.

“I feel really happy and proud of myself,” Barnwell, who is pursuing a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Biomedical Studies, added.

While giving credit to God, friends, family, and teachers, Barnwell had special mention for her best friend, Ms Tyson.

“Out of all my friends, I feel like she was the one I worked with the most and who encouraged me the most. We always helped each other study, even staying up late at night, constantly motivating and pushing each other to do our best.”

‘You become the people you are around’- Tyson

Tyson, who is currently a student of HLSCC, where she is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in General Science, shared the same sentiments.

“As they say, you become the people you are around, and all my friends are academically focused, so it helped me as we would study together, do homework and classwork together.”

Both Barnwell and Tyson said they were not 100% sure of their career as yet, but it would definitely be in the field of science.

Couldn’t do it ‘without God’- Aquino

Keischel R.A. Aquino said she was left in tears of relief and joy on receiving her CSEC results and was left “completely awestruck” on learning that she had placed third in the territory.

“My mom was the first to share the news with me—she sent me a picture with my name on the list and immediately called, screaming with excitement. She told me that God was rewarding me for all the sacrifices and hard work I had put in, and I know her words were true. Without God, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this milestone,” Aquino told our News Centre, adding that her family and her teachers at St George’s Secondary School all played a part in her success.

Aquin is currently enrolled in a college in Dania Beach, Florida, where she is completing her foundation courses. By next year, she hopes to transfer to a university to officially begin her studies in Medicine.

“My ultimate goal is to become a General Practitioner. I want to dedicate my life to serving others through healthcare, offering both medical expertise and compassion to those who need it most,” Aquino stated.

Steady growth in participation in CSEC exams

According to the Ministry of Education, the 412 candidates who sat the CSEC examinations in June 2025 reflected a steady growth in participation over the past three years.

Among them were over 100 eleventh graders from public secondary schools, whose involvement highlights the continued success of the Ministry’s partnership with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) through the Dual Enrolment Initiative.