Head of the rest: odane thomas - Rising to the occasion
Joseph Crichton, Youthlink Writer

Head of the Rest for Western Link this week is Odaine Thomas, deputy head boy of Montego Bay's Cornwall College. His knack for hard work, coupled with his desire to excel, inspires others to strive to achieve as he does.

YL: How would you describe yourself?

OT: Well, basically, I'm an ambitious, honest and very outspoken individual who is also a team player with the belief that together everyone achieves more. I'm also grounded in the principle that determination and hard work will lead to success. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, playing video games and singing.

YL: What does it mean to you to be deputy head boy of Cornwall College?

OT: To be the deputy head boy of the Cornwall College is an awesome responsibility and it is also challenging because we deal with many students from various socio-economic backgrounds. It is imperative to treat each and every student as an equal, while knowing how to deal with certain students. Personalities vary and the same method of discipline does not work for everyone.

YL: What are the challenges you face and how do you balance both schoolwork and being the deputy head boy?

OT: Most of the students we deal with believe that they can do as they like and get away with it and that is one of the challenges. I am first and foremost a student, thus, schoolwork is my first priority; being the deputy head boy comes second. Discipline comes into play here and timetables have to be made to facilitate the careful planning of activities.

YL: Whom do you consider to be your role model?

OT: I really do not have any one person as my role model. Instead, I gather qualities from various positive people with whom I come into contact, as well as others in the wider world.

YL: What do you have to say to your fellow youths?

OT: The road to success is not as easy as it seems. However, with teamwork, discipline, dedication and hard work, anything is possible.

Odaine Thomas, deputy head boy of Montego Bay's Cornwall College. - Contributed