adminHazel Ndebele Midlands Reporter
A 16-YEAR-OLD wonderkid from Thornhill High School in Gweru set what could be a school record after attaining 10 distinctions in the recently released Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) November 2013 O’ Level examinations.To add another jewel to her crown, Bulawayo-born Ashleigh Phiri also attained yet another distinction in her Hexco Computer Operations and Packages studies taking her tally of distinctions to 11.
Ashleigh sat for and got straight A’s in History, English Language, Chemistry, Mathematics, Ndebele, Physics, Geography, Accounts, Biology and Integrated Science examinations.
The quiet, unassuming but extraordinarily intelligent teenager told Chronicle that her secret to success was her faith in God, discipline and working hard. “I put God first before anything else. I set my goals and worked hard to attain them. I believe that was my biggest secret,” she said.
Ashleigh revealed her study routine which involved studying usually late into the night and sometimes into the wee hours of the morning, while during the day she would focus on her lessons and general school work.
She credited her teachers, specifically Sharai Sibanda, Maria Muzondo and Rudo Mutanga for guiding her to her recent exploits. Ashleigh is staying put at Thornhill for her A’ Levels and intends to pursue Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
After high school, she has set her sights on a career in medicine, actuarial science or chemical engineering. Ashleigh is the daughter of the Chronicle’s Midlands Bureau Chief, Khamangeni Phiri.
Online Reporter