PATH beneficiary twins record identical scores - Awarded among programme’s top achievers

Kieshandra Hutchinson Blake couldn't hold back her tears as she reflected on the arduous yet rewarding journey of raising her twin sons Javier and Jevier Blake.

Blake, who was a vendor at Kingston's Coronation Market throughout her sons' studies, beamed with pride on Thursday as her boys were awarded for their identical grades, seven grade ones and one grade two, at the PATH Top Achievers Awards held at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.

"I'm feeling happy and blessed. The journey was so tough because I didn't know that I was going to have twins. I found out when I was giving birth," she revealed. Blake said that throughout their primary school years, the twins leaned on each other for support.

"When they were going to primary school one was depending on the other one and then they split them up in grade five but they were working well individually," she said. Despite financial challenges, she ensured that her sons received an education even if it meant relying on the government's PATH.

"I did all I could to ensure they didn't miss a day in school and with the PATH assistance, they didn't, even if we fell short," she said. "They would normally complain that even if they are sick I still want them to go to school."

The boys looking at each other and smiling was a clear affirmation that mommy wasn't joking about them taking school seriously. The dedication to education paid off, with one staff member at the event acknowledging Blake's efforts.

"I have one son and I always tell people that if you have a son and dem come out come turn something, reward them because you have too many of them going the wrong way. You have two at once and both of them are doing well, I would cry if it was me," the person said. Javier and Jevier radiated confidence and determination as they shared their aspirations and reflections. Javier, the elder twin, got straight to the point.

"It has been a fun journey, it has been a tasking educational journey, working towards success and achieving all my goals. It's been a good run so far and I am looking for what is to come," he said.

A past footballer at Dinthill Technical High School, Javier aims to pursue a career in accounting, with plans to enroll at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Reflecting on their preparation for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, Javier highlighted their collaborative approach.

"We heavily used the syllabus and knew what it required of us. My teachers played a major role because they stayed even beyond school hours to get us up to speed," he said.

Contrary to common beliefs about twins, that one is more advanced than the other, Jevier pointed out their individuality and shared journey towards success.

"Well, as we did, you can see that that's not always the case. Once there is the motivation and you have the drive to do it, success is achievable for everyone," he remarked.

Despite their identical living situations and academic achievements, the twins are charting different paths, with Jevier aspiring to become a mechanical engineer. Reflecting on their high school experiences, Jevier chuckled at the idea of pulling twin tricks.

"The funniest thing is that they believed there could have been a mix-up with CSEC if we did the same subjects, but we do totally different subjects so that was automatically dismissed," he said.

Their father, Lloyd Blake, though absent from the ceremony, expressed his unwavering support in an emotional phone interview with THE WEEKEND STAR, indicating that he will continue to stand by his boys as he always has.