RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
When Max and his wife Cintra divorced and began living miles apart, they put their differences aside and remained a team.
Now, 15 years later, their daughter Kristy-Ann Celina Pariagh, 18, is reaping the rewards of that decision, having attained seven Grade Ones and one Grade Two in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, the Shiva Boys’ Hindu College student credited her success not only to hard work but also to her devoted parents who never allowed their divorce to define her future.
“My parents divorced when I was three, but they were still great co-parents. They would still communicate and do their best for me and my sister Keira,” she added.
Although her father lived in Sangre Grande and her mother remained in Penal, Pariagh said both of them continued to play active roles in her upbringing.
“If I had problems with schoolwork, I would ask my father, and he would help me and explain everything nicely so that I would understand,” she added.
His support became especially important as she tackled the demanding CAPE workload.
Pariagh admitted that the transition from Form Five to Lower Six was initially overwhelming as she came from an all-girls school, Holy Faith Convent and then to Shiva Boys’.
“The first couple months I was feeling like I was drowning,” she said, recalling the volume of work.
But Pariagh said she soon found her footing, learning one of the most important lessons of her academic journey — never leave work until the last minute.
She said her own experience with Economics taught her that lesson as she earned a Grade Two in Economics in Lower Six after putting off revision.
She said she changed her approach in Upper Six and eventually earned a Grade One.
Pariagh added that her strategy was to work consistently, seek help when necessary and never be afraid to admit when she did not understand a topic.
When a teacher’s approach did not work for her, Pariagh said she turned to extra lessons and online resources.
Her parents also divided the financial responsibilities associated with her education.
Pariagh said while her mother handled many of the day-to-day school expenses, her father paid for her lessons.
Even when school and lessons made it difficult to visit her father in Sangre Grande, Pariagh said they remained in touch.
“There were periods when I didn’t see my dad for six months because of school and lessons seven days a week, but we would still call every day on the phone,” she said.
Pariagh said she maintained a demanding study schedule, completing schoolwork during the week and spending several hours studying on days when she had lessons.
During holidays and before examinations, she sometimes studied late into the night, taking regular breaks before returning to her books.
Saying she was now considering a future in accounting, Pariagh lauded her teachers at Shiva Boys’ for helping her along the way.
“All my teachers were great,” she said, adding that several were always willing to assist when she needed guidance.
For students facing the pressure of CAPE, Pariagh has a simple message – start early.
“Don’t start to revise late and don’t leave everything last minute,” she advised.
She also encourages students to make use of online resources and artificial intelligence, but with caution.
“Use it, but don’t rely on it too much,” she said, warning that AI can sometimes provide incorrect information.
Pariagh also advised divorced parents to put their differences aside and focus on what matters most.
“If you have children involved, you need to put aside your differences and create stability for them. It is possible to do it,” she explained.
She noted, however, that her success could not be achieved without consistent hard work and diligence, as well as support from her grandmother Sylvie Nanan and her sister Keira Pariagh.
