On Thursday, Antigua and Barbuda’s most exceptional secondary school graduates took center stage as the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology hosted the 40th National CSEC Awards Ceremony, a milestone event celebrating standout performance in the 2025 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
Organized under the forward-looking theme “Architects of Tomorrow,” the ceremony drew a cross-section of attendees: celebrated students, proud family members, dedicated educators, and senior government officials, all gathered to recognize the young people who earned extraordinary exam scores and regional-level distinctions. The annual event does more than honor individual success—it also highlights the collective work of educators and guardians that underpins student achievement, a mission it has carried forward for four decades.
Topping the 2025 leaderboard was Kaylei John-Baptiste, a student at Antigua’s Baptist Academy, who claimed the prestigious title of National CSEC Student of the Year. Her historic academic feat included passing all 20 registered subjects, with 18 of those results earning the highest possible Grade One mark. Following closely behind in the national rankings was Kha-lique Harris of St. Joseph’s Academy, who secured second place, while Nayima Lewis—another Baptist Academy student—took third place after notching 16 Grade One passes across her 20 subjects.
Beyond national honors, the ceremony also spotlighted students who earned spots on the Caribbean region’s overall merit lists for individual subject areas. Standout regional performances included Asia Roberts of Antigua Girls’ High School, who claimed second place across the entire Caribbean for English A; Anwar Stilston of St. Joseph’s Academy, who ranked first regionally in Music; and Khaliq Harris, who secured second place in Industrial Technology.
Dozens more graduating students were recognized with tiered awards—Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze—handed out based on the number of Grade One passes each student earned, aligned with eligibility criteria set by the Ministry of Education.
Clare Brown, the nation’s Director of Education, delivered the keynote address to the assembled group, where he commended the awardees for their relentless dedication and persistent effort through the examination cycle. “Your performance in the 2025 CSEC examinations has earned you a place among our nation’s finest scholars,” Brown told the honorees, urging them to maintain their commitment to excellence in all future academic and professional pursuits.
He also emphasized that strong academic results must be paired with unwavering personal integrity and strong moral character, noting that the long-term trajectory of Antigua and Barbuda will be defined by the choices these young leaders make and the contributions they offer to their communities and the nation in the coming years.
As the 2025 ceremony wrapped up, organizers reflected on the 40-year legacy of the National CSEC Awards Programme, which has grown alongside Antigua and Barbuda’s education system to consistently celebrate academic excellence and honor the shared investment of students, teachers, and families in advancing national educational success.