Recent graduate of Sandys Middle School Oronde Wilson Jr. has left with an armful of academic medals and trophies.

Oronde,14, and has just completed his last year at the school. He will start at the Berkeley Institute in September.

He received medals in science, mathematics, language arts and an overall academic achievement medal as well as several principal?s awards for his outstanding academic performance at Sandys.

In addition, he was awarded the Principal?s Cup for Excellence and the E. Dudley Bassett Memorial Cup for most outstanding orator.

Oronde has performed at a very high level though his attendance at Sandys Middle School and has been on the Principal?s List since he started.

His impressive speaking performances as a member of the school debating team led to his being named most outstanding orator. Oronde said that he had been interested in debating since primary school.

?I found out I was good at it and I liked it so I kept on doing it,? he said.

He has participated in many debating competitions and said that he had won several. When asked what he would like to do when he finishes school, Oronde said: ?I want to be a Supreme Court Judge,? and explained that he will start as a lawyer.

These aspirations derive from his love for debating.

Oronde?s favourite subject is English. His least favourite subject is business studies.

Away from the classroom, Oronde sails and enjoys track and field, his favourite event being long jump.

For fun Oronde said he likes to hang with his friends.

?I try and stay focused on my school work,? he said of his strategy for academic success.

?It?s real hard ? even for me, I get side-tracked sometimes, but always try to stay focused on my goals.?

His grandmother, Glorene Lawrence said: ?I am very proud of him.

?All his achievements are his own. He put in the work. He has a natural gift and he was always very bright.?