Singing scholar Deniesia Greyson excels in all fields

As a blossoming talent in music and sports while mastering her academics, 10-year-old Deniesia Greyson is a "distinguished" grade five student at Bellas Gate Primary School who is destined for greatness.

Speaking on the STAR Kids Rollout feature, Deniesia noted that while she enjoys her childhood like any regular 10-year old, she is a focused, rounded individual who is passionate about learning - a characteristic she believes makes her a standout.

"I came first in my class, I pass all my class averages and when I get my report card, I do well in mathematics, language and other subjects...I also passed my grade four literacy and numeracy exams and I got 36.2 out of 40 for the first leg," she proudly stated.

Beaming with pride, she is comforted to know that behind all her brilliance, she has a strong support system from her family.

"[My parents] always react very nice, I love how they react - they hugged me and congratulated me and said 'I did my best and I can do better next time but I did my best,'" she said as her father, L'Ouverture Greyson, looked on with a smile. "But I liked how I mastered my exams and I want to do the same in grade five and when I reach to grade six so I can pass for my first choice [school] - which is Glenmuir High or my second choice [which] is St Jago," said Deniesia.

Inheriting her singing talent from her mom, who was also a Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) contestant, Deniesia has been dominating the JCDC stages. She has topped the JCDC Music Parish Finals, where she won gold awards that advanced her to become a national finalist at the JCDC Music Festival Competition, with results currently pending in the pop category.

"She always has an interest in music from the age of about three, so as time goes by, it has developed and blossomed into what it is today. So she used to like singing, in addition to talking a lot," Greyson stated with a chuckle.

Deniesia, who stands as a soloist and lead singer for some of her school choir's group songs, has achieved several medals for the group which she said played a huge role in honing her talent.

"It helped me to learn new things like the principles of DRRLF - meaning Discipline, Respect, Responsibility, Leadership and Focus - which I apply to my daily life and academics," she said. She noted that her musical influencers are Shenseea and Spice.

In a bid to guide her in pursuing her passion while still balancing her academics and sporting interests, Greyson told her "never to lose focus".

"Even when you get a bit older, still remain the passionate person you are about your education and your extra-curriculum activities," said Greyson. Deniesia said that boosted her confidence and "makes me feel proud of myself and let me want to do better and better each time".

A proud Greyson said that Deniesia has been consistent in her academic achievements.

"Even before she reach to grade five, she has always been doing well at school. Me and her mom always encourage her to continue doing well and keep up the good work and she will achieve great things," he shared. Her mom, currently overseas, spent the entire time on the phone with them on their way to the interview, as she anxiously anticipates her daughter's first official interview, adding how "proud" she is when she first learnt of it.

In addition to her family's support, Greyson praised the school for its strong support in ensuring that not just Deniesia but the entire school population performs well.

"The school is always behind her, encouraging her to do well and also to get involved in extracurricular activities - leading them towards doing more than just academics," he said. Deniesia, who during the interview was sporting her numerous school badges - from top mathematics student to national peer counsellor - always supervises her class or instructs her peers on the activities or classwork to be done during her teacher's absence. She credits her school, parents/guardians and family members for being the source of her confidence and always encourage her to "Do my best and aim for the sky".

"So if you fall, you don't fall to the floor, you fall on trees and then you get back up and try again," said Deniesia whose ambition is to become a soldier.

Deniesia, who is an active part of the school's netball and track and field teams, advised other children looking up to her and who want to pursue their passion while balancing other areas to "go for it".

"Always try your best. Even if you don't make it sometimes, don't [stay] on the ground, always get up back and try and try again until you get it," she shared as she wrapped the feature with her rendition of Vicki Yohe's 2003 popular hit, Because of Who You Are, accompanied by her school's keyboard player, Fabian Hubban.