Her most recently, received an award for the much coveted Anne Blue Scholarship Award for 2003.

Fifteen-year-old Asma Sadiah Sharief, a simple, slim, soft-spoken young lady with long tresses and a ready smile, is way ahead of the competition in the academic arena.

From infancy, her mom, Bibi Mohamed who is also a teacher, saw her potential and started teaching her to read and write. When she was admitted to school, she spent one, instead of two years, in the nursery department. As she continued to excel, her teachers thought it best that she skip Prep B. Since then Asma has not looked back.

When she gained 538 marks at the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE), places in the country's top hundred as well as at the Anna Regina Multilateral School were secured.

Asma, who hails from Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast, credits her success to her mom, first and foremost, her supportive father, as well as her teachers and friends at school.

The former top pupil of the Anna Regina Multilateral School created history when she became the first student from Region Two (Pomeroon/Supernaam) to receive the 2003 Anne Blue Scholarship Award.

Speaking to the Sunday Chronicle via phone from her home, she confessed that there were times when she was frustrated, but she is grateful for her friends who always encouraged her. She added that her mom always went the extra mile to ensure she had all the materials she needed, whether it meant borrowing or buying the books.

Asma, who loves reading and music, has a passion for the wildlife. She also loves to spend time in front of the television and the Discovery Channel is her favourite programme. It's no wonder then that she decided to pursue studies in Environment Studies. She is currently a first year student at the University pursuing the degree programme in that area.

According to Asma, she felt very good after she was informed that she had won the Anne Blue award.

She told the Sunday Chronicle that it came as quite a surprise that she was actually chosen since she thought her age would have been a problem.

"I did not think I would have won because I was young," Sharief said. Age aside, she, however considered that her excellent grades - 10 Grade Ones and One Grade Two at the CSEC) would have done the trick.

The scholarship valued at $250,000 will be disbursed over a six-year period: the first $20,000 on selection, $30,000 at the beginning of the second year, and $50,000 in each of the other four years.

Her advice to Guyanese youths aspiring to be the best was: "Be determined in whatever you do. Do not give up, even in times of frustration, because when you are finished, you will realise that it will be all worth it."

The talented young lady, who also actively participated in the Thrift Society, Debating, Tourism and Environmental Clubs, and the Prefect Body among others while at school, said her teachers made learning fun. She loved the way they taught.

Asma, who has two other younger siblings, said that because of her outstanding performance she sees herself as a role model to them.

Her father, Lutchman Naraine, who teaches at the Anna Regina Multilateral School, described his daughter as "self driven", and said that she was a person who liked everything that she did to be done to perfection.

He said that he was quite delighted with his daughter's performance, naming it "as one of the fortunes of life". He also told the Sunday Chronicle that his daughter was always a hard worker who achieved excellent grades throughout her school life.

Ms. Magda Pollard, on behalf of the Scholarship Fund, earlier this month presented the award to Asma at the National Library.

Anne Elizabeth Candace Blue was a brilliant Guyanese who attended the St. Gabriel's Primary and Bishops' High School before migrating with her family to London and then to the United States. Her achievements ranged from nurse and attorney-at-law, to teacher and real estate broker.

In addition, she was an outstanding community leader whose interests included travelling and pet-rearing.

Ms. Pollard told the Sunday Chronicle that the Scholarship programme started in 1994 was a decision taken by family and friends to create a commemorative Scholarship Fund to annually honour a student of similar ilk.

The award is given annually to the St. Gabriel's Primary, the Bishops' High School and an outstanding student at the National Level.

Last year's winner was Ms. Angelina Outar, a former student of President's College. President's College has won the award on many occasions.