Give a child a goal to shoot for, and, if the incentive is great enough, why not watch him or her reach for it? In many cases, he or she will surpass it.
With that in mind, Albertha Stubbs, the mathematics coordinator at C.H. Reeves Junior School, promised grade nine students who could pass their Bahamas Junior Certificates Math exams with A grades a $100 prize, each, and a banquet in their honor. Stubbs recently had to fork over $1,500 to 15 of her students, who achieved perfect scores.
The "Fantastic 15", comprised of 14 girls and one boy, included Kiara Fernander, Myrah Kemp, Niear Lubin, Peaches Saunders, Serenity McPhee, Erica Bain, Darline Charles, Diavian Charles, Gemmica Edgecombe, Shannette Gibson, Shania Lewis, Arnishka Brown, Caroline Johnson and Danavio Neely. The students, who have since moved on to senior schools, were honored during their promised banquet at C.H. Reeves School, aptly themed "An Evening with the Stars".
For the occasion, the junior school's auditorium was transformed into an elegant banquet hall, complete with a jazz band performance. J. S. Johnson Insurance and Scotiabank provided trophies and financial assistance for the event.
Neely, an aspiring speech therapist and the lone male student among the Fantastic 15, succeeded despite major challenges he has experienced, including losing both of his parents.
"I chose to let the pain of losing both of my parents, before I graduated from junior high, push me to do my very best," he said. "Being the only male in my class that achieved an 'A' [grade on the BJC exam] was the highlight of my year.
"There were days when I wanted to give up, there were days when I wanted to just coast, but I had teachers like Mrs. A. Stubbs and Mrs. R. Wells that wouldn't let me slip. They encouraged and motivated me, and to them I am thankful," said Neely.
C.H. Reeves Principal Greta Brown commended the students for their successes, particularly in light of social challenges in the Montell Heights community. She told them that their success was largely due to the commitment of teachers and the support of parents. The students engaged in morning, afternoon and, sometimes, Saturday classes offered by Stubbs and other teachers, including Odea Johnson, D. Smith and Ramona Wells.
Shannette Gibson, the school's former head girl, who is currently a tenth grade student at C.R. Walker Senior School, expressed her appreciation to Stubbs, her former math teacher in a poem entitled, "Mrs. Stubbs"; an excerpt read:
"A simple definition to describe an excellent teacher
She worked tirelessly day and night
To make sure our work was right
A divine woman of dignity, intelligence and pride
Your constant words of wisdom have always been my guide
You'd lead me in the right path and encourage me to stay focus and set goals
Your impact sank deep within my heart and soul
A loving teacher, counselor and friend
You'll never be forgotten, until the very end."
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald told the Fantastic 15 that, during his tenure, he had been to a number of assemblies to celebrate students in language arts, but that the recent math banquet was a first for him, and he was happy to attend, as math was his favorite subject when he was a school student.
He further told the students that their success in math means that there is hope for the future; the country would see an increase in mathematics instructors, engineers, accountants, computer programmers and similar professions. He commended them, saying one of the main reasons they have been celebrated for their accomplishments is because mathematics is an area that has not had great success on a consistent basis.
"I hope that you will continue to excel so our hope turns to reality in the near future," said Fitzgerald.
The education minister further said that, of the 118 teachers who graduated from the College of The Bahamas in 2013, only three had specialized in mathematics.

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