QRC student wins Barbados schol

The Ministry of Education may have only recorded one scholarship recipient for Queen’s Royal College (QRC) but, to the school’s surprise, another student also received a scholarship from his home country of Barbados following last year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Ilijah Corbin received the Barbados exhibition, the equivalent of an additional scholarship, from the ministry of education in Barbados. His classmate, Niko Brewster, received an open scholarship.

Corbin has been a QRC student since form three. He transferred from Harrison College, Bridgetown, Barbados when his mother came to Trinidad to attend law school and insisted the 13-year-old continue his studies at QRC.

Speaking to Newsday at the college on Sunday, Corbin explained that because he did his exams in TT, there was no way for the ministry in Barbados to know he could be eligible for a scholarship, so when he received his unit-one grades he e-mailed that ministry to advise them he was a citizen of Barbados sitting his exams in TT and wished to be considered for a scholarship.

Corbin achieved grade ones in Unit One physics, chemistry, pure mathematics and applied mathematics and Unit Two physics, chemistry, pure mathematics, integrated mathematics and Caribbean studies. He got grade twos in Unit One communication and Unit Two applied mathematics.

He said after back-and-forth phone calls and e-mails, he received a letter by e-mail from the ministry after he submitted his unit-two grades congratulating him on receiving the Barbados exhibition in natural sciences.

“It feels good to know that I have that aid in pursuing my education.”

The 18-year-old said he has applied to both UWI and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is awaiting a response from MIT and hoping for the best.

He said, while he was striving for the scholarship, he was not sure if he would receive it owing to the challenges caused by covid19. He said although working through the pandemic was difficult, he had a clear goal in mind and that made focusing on his studies a lot easier.

Corbin encouraged students preparing for examinations this year. “You can change your future,” he said.

“I was a failing student. I would get Cs and Bs. In form three, there were no As. In form four, there was like one A…It is not the end of the world, but it is up to you.”

Corbin said he has a keen interest in mathematics and would like to pursue that subject in conjunction with another specialty like computer science or engineering but his decision is not yet final.

Brewster finds connection between science, art

Open scholarship winner Niko Brewster received his scholarship in the cognate group creative performance studies. He achieved all grade ones having studied a combination of art and sciences.

On Sunday he told Newsday, “Naturally, I am pleased and grateful for all of the support I got from the school and all of my teachers.”

The 20-year-old has not decided what school he will attend but has been considering a few, including Cambridge University, Stanford University, Brown University, and University College in London.

The art student said he plans to study architecture. “I tried to find a connection between my creative side and my science and mathematical side; architecture seems like an intersection of those two fields of study.”

Brewster said he has an interest in the social impact of architecture and using it to improve the living conditions of members of society.

“If I can get involved in that area and make a difference in people’s lives (when I return) that is a real goal of mine.”

Brewster said he has experimented with a range of media and tries not to limit himself from trying new things.

“I try to experiment as much as possible. I really enjoy the whole process of learning about new media.”

He said his CAPE portfolio included, drawings, paintings, and print media.

Brewster advised students sitting CAPE exams this year to remain consistent with their efforts as much as possible.

“That’s the important part…You’re probably going to do better than you think. It’s natural to underestimate your abilities.”

QRC principal David Simon praised both Corbin and Brewster on their achievements. He said Brewster is a young man of quality in all aspects of his life.

“A leader of note, an excellent orator, and a gentleman, we are indeed proud of the achievements of this royalian and we expect great things from this very humble soul.”

Simon described Corbin, one of two deputy head prefects, as a fine gentleman with a host of positive qualities.

“He has served QRC well,” said Simon.

“Being a non-national, he could not win a national scholarship. However, he has been able to secure an additional scholarship from the government of Barbados, delivered from QRC to the people of Barbados with love.”