CSEC success for teen who had to borrow Wi-Fi, devices

For many students, the journey through high school is a mix of challenges and triumphs.

But, for 16-year-old Mylon McCalla of Holland High School in Trelawny, the road to academic success was paved with extraordinary hardships, the kind that would leave most teenagers disheartened. His family endured severe financial struggles, and they were threatened with eviction the night before his first Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination in May.

But Mylon transformed his struggles into stepping stones, emerging as one of the school's shining examples of resilience and determination, attaining seven CSEC subjects in the May 2025 exam period, including a grade one in integrated science and grade two in mathematics, of which he is particularly proud.

In total, the scholar holds eight CSEC examination passes. In the May-June exam period, he also passed English language, information technology, physics and history, while in 10th grade, he obtained a grade two in electronic document preparation management. Mylon described his CSEC journey as "hectic", but his dedication kept him going.

"It was my commitment to trying to be successful in my life, and at least this was one shot I couldn't waste in high school, so I tried my best not to waste my time," he told JIS News. With limited resources, Mylon relied on his mother's mobile phone, the only technological device available at home, to conduct his research. At nights he would stand outside, borrowing his neighbour's Wi-Fi to complete assignments. During school hours, he borrowed friends' devices just to keep up with his schoolwork. His mother also ensured that he had the CSEC past papers, which he would practise before his exams. He admitted that there were moments when he had doubts.

"I also thought that with everything that was happening now, I probably wouldn't make it in terms of grades," he said. But he overcame these doubts with his commitment and positive attitude.

"I am a person who goes with the flow of things. I probably want to get my parents, who tried so hard over the years, to try to push them, to try to get them out of the situation they are now, because maybe I am the ray of hope for my family," he said.

Behind Mylon's quiet strength is his mother, Nardia Thompson McCalla. With farming as their primary source of income, the family's financial struggles were compounded by praedial larceny and mounting bills. McCalla became creative in making meals stretch and altering school uniforms so her son would always look presentable. Although her family remained rooted in their faith, beneath the surface she worried for her son.

"He started getting mentally tired... he got anxious, and sometimes he would cry because it was a lot to do," she said. But she encouraged Mylon and allowed him to take breaks. Much of their survival depended on the breadwinner and backbone of their family, dad Aniel McCalla, who made the necessary sacrifices to ensure his son went to school.

Graduation brought an unexpected gift for Mylon. Unable to afford the cost, the school stepped in and sponsored his attendance. Added to that, Mylon was awarded 'Most Resilient Student' at the ceremony.

"I cried all of graduation at the time," said his proud mother.

Mylon's 11th grade teacher, Rickaylia Bennett, said she also shed tears because she knew what he went through, and was pleased that his struggle was acknowledged and his perseverance awarded. Bennett described Mylon as a jovial and highly motivated student who readily sought help from teachers and was highly supportive of his peers.

With Mylon's eyes now set on the path to become a robotics engineer, he acknowledged that he would try to work before pursuing his dream and probably attend HEART/NSTA Trust to get electrical certification. He also offered himself one piece of advice.

"I would tell myself that no matter how many doubts and insecurities I have, that everybody also has their own problems and situations, so my own problems are not an excuse," he said.