Talented Kids

By Natasha Fernandopulle, Pix by Berty Mendis

At any age, being able to be part of the Guinness Book of World Records is really something to boast about and when you are twelve and nine years of age, it is an even bigger deal!

Yes, twelve and nine, are the ages of the two brothers Clinton and Nixon Fernando, from Hatton. They are in Grades Seven and Five and study at Highlands Central College.

The reason they are attempting to be part of this famous book of records is because they have managed to collect a large number of medals,

certificates, awards, trophies and cups in Speech and Drama, held by government and foreign institutions.

These awards have been won for poetry, story telling and sight reading and from the ages of seven and five they have been studying Speech and Drama under Ms. Shihara Bandaranayake.

The boys are very hard working and have a hectic schedule which they stick to, on a daily basis, where their day starts at 4.30 a.m.with their books, and ends around 8.30 p.m. Apart from their books they have a scheduled time to watch movies, play cricket or table tennis, play with their dog 'Snowy,' or read books. They have a younger brother, Adrean, as well.

Not many kids would focus on their books and spend less time playing or watching movies but these boys seem to do so. When they were asked what it is like, the elder of the two, Clinton said, "We have to make sacrifices and do everything," adding, "We sacrifice TV channels and sleeping time because we want to study or play."

The one thing Clinton would like to tell kids his age is to, "make use of your time," and it seems that they really do so and their hard work seems to be paying off.

So let's hope their big endeavour of being part of the Guinness Book of World Records does happen.