The 2020 Valedictorians reflect of their time on campus
“It’s not about becoming a valedictorian. It’s about enjoying your UWI experience,” says twenty-four-year-old, Chikara Mitchell.
It is commonly known that tales of the UWI experience have been whispered in the ears of many teenagers across Trinidad and Tobago who are likely to become prospective students of the prestigious institution. However, what defines this highly sought-after UWI experience? Perhaps it is those moments of solitude while traipsing to class, or attending your faculty’s karaoke night with your friends, or maybe it is those lasting memories that will forever remain a secret. Still, this coveted experience is not identified by any constant feature; rather, it is ever-changing, and unique to each person who enters the university.
This is exemplified by UWI’s five exceptional valedictorians for the class of 2020. They are: Chikara Mitchell for the Faculty of Social Sciences; Suraj Sakal for the Faculties of Engineering and Law; Richard Ali for the Faculties of Food and Agriculture and Science and Technology; Keitjé Greaves for the Faculty of Humanities and Education, and Shaquille Trotman for the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The dynamic environment and diverse opportunities afforded to these valedictorians by the UWI have shaped and molded each graduate both positively and differently.
A true testament to Chikara’s statement is the experience of her fellow valedictorian, twenty-two-year-old, Suraj Sakal. The years Mr Sakal spent studying for his Bachelor of Laws at UWI is by no means characterised by “beating books”. Instead, Suraj recalls pounding the pavement up and down College Road for a total of approximately four thousand hours during his time at UWI. “Everything happened on that road,” Suraj chuckles. From “hustling drops” and partying with strangers, to long, late-night conversations, everything really did happen on College Road. Nevertheless, those hours were not wasted. It was all to “lime” with his friend, Alan Rambharose, who worked as a security guard at night and attended UWI during the day. Alan led by example, encouraging Suraj to be successful. Suraj confesses, “In terms of hard work, dedication, and fearlessness, that man definitely is a role model to me.”
While several students may flock to the university because of its touted campus experience, others see it as an opportunity to attain self-fulfillment through both academic and personal progress. In the case of forty-one-year-old, Richard Ali, who left Trinidad and migrated to the USA in the 1990s, he says, “Coming back home and having to do Caribbean Studies really helped to reinforce my identity as a Trinidadian”. As a working man and father, Richard’s experience at UWI differed greatly from that of his younger peers. Regardless, the decision to pursue a second Bachelor’s degree, a Human Ecology Special, was another step forward on his path to self-actualisation. An advocate for taking risks and living without regrets, Richard advises, “It is important that you give yourself a second chance in life. If there is something that you want, irrespective of your age, you go ahead and you pursue it”.
To the common observer, a valedictorian’s journey may appear to be smooth sailing, but twenty-five-year-old Dr Shaquille Trotman quickly dispels that illusion. His experience is encapsulated in the wise saying, “Delay is not denial”. Unfortunately, Shaquille was deferred for a year before starting his medical degree. However, UWI, in collaboration with the On-The-Job Training Programme, provided an avenue for deferred students to work in the public hospitals. Appreciatively, he says, “We got a head start in the medical field while we waited”. Although Shaquille was placed in the medical records department, he explains, “It is not as easy as a doctor may think. Medical records are a lot of work behind the scenes.” As a result, this experience assisted Shaquille in becoming a more patient and understanding doctor.
It would be remiss not to mention the most unexpected challenge experienced by the class of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic locked the physical doors of the UWI, forcing the student population into an indefinite period of online learning. For Chikara Mitchell, this time of uncertainty affected both her home and school life. Even so, confidently, she proclaims, “Human beings are very adaptable.” Still, the bubbly socialite could no longer study with friends at the library or pop into the UWI Afrikan Society to play the drums. Telling her story about online examinations, she laughs, “My laptop decided that it was time to die. Pandemic. I’m out.” Despite feeling demotivated, in the end, her positive attitude triumphed. Chikara graduated with a BSc in Psychology (Special) and a minor in Human Resource Management.
Undeterred by the changes imposed upon them because of the pandemic, these five graduates accepted their nominations for the title of valedictorian. It was the final test of their mettle, their final UWI experience. Subsequently, each candidate sent in their background information to be assessed. Then, selected persons were invited to participate in an interview process where they would deliver a two-to-three-minute speech on what it meant to “be UWI”. Twenty-eight-year-old, Keitjé Greaves, a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Musical Arts (Special) degree, discloses that he was nervous to present his speech. However, his fears were soon allayed. He beams, “They all smiled at the end of the interview. I could have told that I did a good job.” Keitjé hails from the island of St. Lucia. Proud to represent the Faculty of Humanities and Education, he states, “In the 21st century, it is the Faculty that trains the persons who are going to mould the very identity of our new Caribbean civilisation, our post-COVID Caribbean civilisation.” With such a strong conviction, surely the Faculty staff continues to smile at Keitjé even now.
So, what really defines a UWI experience? The students, their choices, and what they make of it. Chikara suggests, “Make time to explore yourself and find out what you love to do.” The beauty of the UWI experience lies in the combination of those three factors which without fail will produce an unrivalled story every time. So, no pressure. To the current UWI students and even the future ones, how do you plan to enjoy your UWI experience? After all, the next story is yours to tell.
