QQ and his classmates at Calabar High School. - Monique Hepburn photos

André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Upon entering Calabar High, it was hard to separate Kareem 'QQ' Dawkins from his schoolmates. Amid the sea of khaki and green and black epaulettes, only a green and black tam, to cover his corn rows, made 'THE STAR' Artiste of the Month distinguishable.

THE STAR team got to the high school in time for art class, to experience a typical day in the life of the 12-year-old deejay. Many are accustomed to seeing QQ the artiste, but very few QQ the student. He definitely tried his hands at the three-dimen-sional lesson being taught, but he is clearly better with a microphone than he is with a pencil.

Nevertheless, art class went by in no time as his classmates rallied around him to make sure they too had their chance to be seen in art class. From art, QQ was off to mathematics, but today's trip was quite different from the others. A mob of his classmates surrounded the young star like that of any other major dancehall star at a stage show.

Ms. Maxine Lawrence listens to her students during mathematics class while QQ (right) looks on.

"A bodyguard dem!" one student said.

The struggle to be beside QQ continued when he reached his form room for math.

"You si when dem excited, a just suh dem stay," QQ warned THE STAR.

The math lesson of the day was the properties of triangles. Maxine Lawrence was the teacher and her approach was inclusive as students took turns presenting what they knew about triangles. QQ did not miss out on the chance to show he had knowledge of triangles and make a good impression for THE STAR.

Outside the math classroom, a few other students thought they have what it takes to be an entertainer.

"All a wi write songs and we only need a producer," said one student who tried desperately to get a picture taken.

Another claimed he was footballer, Ronaldinho, and thought that was worth writing about.

Soon after it was time for the final period of the day, history. QQ's participating streak con-tinued. Not only was he perched at the front, but he also showed he knew some of the answers by raising his hand.

Finally, school was over. There is nothing like the final bell. It was time to go home, but not before a group shot with QQ and his classmates. THE STAR left QQ awaiting his driver.

It is all about those sides and angles in mathematics class. QQ writes the properties of an equilateral triangle.