National squash player Denielle Benn has proven that success in the classroom can go hand in hand with excellence in sport, earning a place among the island’s top Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) performers while balancing a demanding training schedule and academic commitments.
The Class Four student of The Rock Christian School secured sixth place islandwide after what she described as months of sacrifice, determination and support from both her family and teachers.
Speaking following the release of Common Entrance results on Tuesday, Benn said she entered the examination feeling confident in her performance.
“I felt confident that I did very well and I knew that what I had on the paper was going to get me somewhere that I wanted to go as well,” she said.
The young athlete, who represents Barbados in squash, revealed that preparing for the examination required her to make difficult choices.
“I had to sacrifice a lot of things that I love doing and I had to focus a lot more on work,” she explained. “When I’m with my teacher at school, we sometimes sacrificed lunch times and break times to do work. I used to have lessons on Saturdays to get me prepared for the exam.”
Benn admitted she felt relieved once the examination period ended.
“It made me feel relieved that it was finally over and now I can relax,” she said.
Although Queen’s College was her preferred choice, she expressed gratitude after receiving placement at Harrison College.
Looking ahead to secondary school, Benn said she is excited about the opportunities awaiting her.
“I’m most looking forward to making new friends, seeing the friends that I already know that go to QC and having a great time at secondary school,” she said.
While eager for the next chapter, she acknowledged she will miss her primary school years.
“I know that I’m going to a different school, but I’m still going to miss here, but I will still enjoy what I have to do at secondary school.”
Her mother, Shondell Benn, said the family’s biggest challenge was helping their daughter balance national sporting commitments with academic preparation.
“Danielle being a national player for squash obviously had to balance academics with sport,” she said. “That’s when the family came together and we’re full team on how we’re going to balance our schedule.”
The preparation, she noted, extended beyond lessons and study sessions.
“We worked along with the school teachers, Mrs Christie, Mrs Yaicob, see where she is, how she’s doing, and also how she was feeling because anxiety was one of the things that we had to deal with coming closer to the examination.”
According to her mother, maintaining balance was critical.
“It was pick up, drop off, and making sure that Denielle still had days off that she could be a little girl and have fun.”
The family’s efforts paid off when the results were announced.
“I’m very, very happy,” Denielle’s mother said. “It was overall just elation for the whole family.”
She recalled that her daughter had set a personal challenge from the beginning.
“Danielle did tell us she had one thing she wanted to do. ‘I’m going to do better than my brother.’”
With her son having attended Harrison College, she admitted the expectation created some nervous moments.
“The brother went to Harrison College, so of course, now, the bar is set extremely high,” she said.
Still, encouragement from family members never wavered.
“There were some still, small voices in the background like the grandmother. ‘She’s going to be in the top ten. She’s going to be in the top ten. I’m telling you, she’s going to be in the top ten.’”
Now preparing for the transition to secondary school, she believes the foundation established at The Rock Christian School will continue to serve her daughter well.
“The Rock is a family,” she said. “If you’re having issues and problems, definitely you can talk to the teachers. They’re very open with you.”
She added that the focus has always been about more than examination results.
“It’s not just about 11-plus. It’s about making sure that the foundation is set, that as you go into secondary school, you are well prepared.”
As Benn prepares to begin her secondary education while continuing her squash career, her family remains confident that the discipline and time-management skills developed throughout her BSSEE journey will help her succeed both on the court and in the classroom.
(LE)
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