Fifteen-year-old Jaret Simmons is hoping to set a new record at CedarBridge Academy.The teenager is studying furiously to complete the four-year programme in three years.According to CedarBridge deputy principal Anthony Wade the teenager would be the first to do so if he succeeds.Jaret said he made the decision when he first arrived at CedarBridge as “most of my classes were too easy for me”.“I decided to challenge myself,” he said. “Most of my classes were with the higher year level every time, so I opted to just go for it.”In order to accomplish his goal of graduating with the Class of 2012, Jaret has to take extra classes and do supplementary work in after-school tutorials.He said a typical school day for him lasts from 8.30am until 5pm; he also takes classes on Saturdays for three to four hours.The young man has also managed to keep his grades intact and said he maintains an ‘A’ average. He recently passed his GCSE examinations and scored As in English and maths; and Bs in music, business and double award science.“I wasn’t expecting those marks. I do well in school and was expecting something high, but not something as high as that,” he said.“I definitely feel proud of myself, but I feel I am just working at the level that fits me because I am comfortable. I do not get stressed out because of these things.”Jaret plans to be an aeronautical engineer when he’s older and is confident he can reach his goal.“I don’t think it’s going to be easy, but I’m going to find a way to reach it. I think [that quality] was instilled in me at a young age from my parents.“I learned if you are willing to work for things there is no reason you can’t get it.“I think I just decided after middle school I was going to start working harder than I usually do to try and achieve what I can.”Mentor Dr Timothy Jackson also influenced him to journey in a positive direction.The youngster believes other young, black men share his hard work ethic, but admits some don’t always choose a positive avenue to devote themselves to.“I have just worked hard doing the right thing. I wouldn’t call myself an exception [to the rule], I would just call myself an example of the right way to do it.”Though his work schedule is demanding, Jaret also manages to make time for sport, volunteering and other extra-curricular activities.He tutors younger children at Victor Scott Primary in maths and English; last year he was named the fastest runner on the Island in the under-14 category.He trains in track and field five days a week and has set his sights on winning a gold medal at the 2012 Carifta Games.“Next year I want to win the gold because it’s on home soil and it’s just an achievement I want to reach.”Jaret recently put down his saxophone, which he had been playing for seven years, and is now an avid bachata dancer with Sea Breeze Salsa.“My mom went to salsa classes and I liked it so I decided I wanted to take it up. I just liked the vibe and feel of it,” he told The Royal Gazette.He plans to attend junior college or a prep school before jumping to a school overseas and said: “It would be challenging as a 16-year-old in college I think.”He urges his peers to follow their hearts when picking a career path: “Do anything you want to do, not something you are forced to do.“I do everything I like to do so it doesn’t really stress me out, it’s just time for me to relax and have fun.”Young people should also focus on staying out of trouble and “keep their heads in the books”, he said.