(Charlestown, Nevis) – “Rachel Yearwood, a Form Three student in Lyn Jeffers, is at it again. She sat for English Language in last year’s CXC and got a distinction. While in Form Two she sat for Literature and got a distinction. Rachel said in an interview recently that clearing subjects ahead of schedule will enable her to work on others. She used her free time to study for the CXC subject.” She is always ahead of the curriculum schedules. When she was in Form 2, she was already comfortable with Form 5 work. “My literature teacher kicked me out of class but in a good way because I was already reading and quite comfortable with fifth form literature text books,” Rachel said. She was only 14 when she sat for the Literature exam. When her parents contacted the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) to find out whether there was any age restriction in CXC enrolment, the department rang Barbados and the CXC secretariat consented that Rachel could sit for a Literature exam. Rachel’s mastering of English Language and English Literature has unique history.” Rachel’s parents John and Karen Yearwood realised the abilities of a baby before birth at an early state.” The Yearwoods introduced sounds and words to their unborn baby.” John would play the guitar on Karen’s belly while Karen read books.” Three days after she was born, Karen continued to read to her new born baby. Fortunately, Rachel loved the skill her parents introduced her to and she took it upon herself to enhance it.” According to Karen, her daughter could read independently at the age of three and started speaking at the age of six months. “My parents and my grandmother did not force me to read.” They encouraged me.” They have been behind me one hundred per cent.” My mother read to me when I was a child daily,” Rachel said. Rachel remembered her childhood favourites, The Pearl and Cric Crac Monkey.” “My mom always forced poetry and theatre on me but in a good way.” She took me to see Shakespearean plays.” She said she has read a lot of animal books. Does Rachel find time to watch TV, go online and does she engage in any other activities?” She said she watches TV and is on line for many hours.” Her favourite program is Criss Angel on channel three on Tuesdays.” Rachel is a certified scuba diver.” She received her certificate at age 13.” Diving is important to her because she wants to be a marine biologist.” She is also widely travelled.” She has been to more countries than she can count in the company of her parents.” She has been to South America, Europe, North America, Asia and Japan.” Her most recent trip was to Alaska Rachel was quick to say that she has been educated through the Nevis school system.” Although she was born in Chicago, Illinois, she came to Nevis when she was seven and a half weeks old.” She pursued her early childhood education at the Learning Centre and later attended primary school at Maude Cross Primary School. Asked what message she had for young people, she said reading is a helpful skill.” “You can take exams early.” Reading broadens your horizons.” You learn about other people and other countries.” Rachel enjoys contributing to the welfare of other young people.” She is the President of the Lyn Jeffers Student Council and has in the past taught children at a summer camp organised by the Resident marine biologist, Barbara Whitman of Under The Sea. She plans to sit for two other subjects ” Principles of Business and Spanish.
