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October 2011
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Valedictorians 2011
“You have the power to achieve anything that you put your mind to,” were the words that drove Meera Rampersad-Janglee. Full-time wife, mother and student, she has a lot to celebrate this particular October; her son turns two on the 25th and two days later, she officially graduates. Meera attended St. Stephen’s Anglican and later St. Stephen’s Anglican College in Princes Town. From there she went on to do a diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). Meera said her teachers at UTT encouraged her to pursue Chemical Engineering at The UWI. Teachers weren’t the only inspiration to further her studies. Meera is inspired by her son who she says is “so vibrant that he encourages and influences my daily actions to secure a brighter future for him.” Her plan for the future is to acquire a job where she can practice what she learnt. She also intends to start her Masters in Chemical Engineering soon. Meera enjoys reading, spending time with her family and advocating charity work. Focused, passionate and versatile, Anaïs’s interest in accounting was fostered as a child and grew with motivation. She believes her success came from her parent’s support, her love for reading and her persistence and time management skills. Unlike most, Anaïs had the unique experience of living in many places. She was born in the US, lived England, Congo (Africa) and France, before her family settled in Tobago where they operate an ice cream factory called J’n’J Homemade Ice Cream. Anaïs learned bookkeeping and other financial aspects of her family business. Her secondary school Principles of Accounts teacher helped her “ignite a passion for accounting.” And now it seems that even her extra-curricular activities at UWI involved accounting. While residing on Trinity Hall for three years, she was the Treasurer for the Trinity Hall Committee (2009-2010). She was also the Social Sciences Representative for the Catholic Students’ Movement. Travelling, reading and spending time with her friends are some of her hobbies. She is pursuing ACCA certification and intends to obtain her MBA in a few years.
Dexnell Peters began with a plan to enrol for just one year in the Faculty of Humanities & Education, then transfer to the Faculty of Law. By the end of that first year he had earned the grades for the transfer but had lost his heart to history. It was not a particularly surprising development. He says he has always been intrigued by history and his own interest was stoked by the thought-provoking history he encountered while a student at Trinity College, Moka. The youngest of four children, Dexnell says he has been inspired by the people around him: family, peers and teachers at school, church community and friends. From T20 to Test matches, Dexnell is an avid cricket fan. He also plays pan, favouring jazz and calypso. While a student at university he joined the History Society and served on the Society’s executive during all of the three years spent pursuing his undergraduate degree. He credited this group on their role in building his leadership capacity on a platform of ethics and values.
Bernice Lina Robinson is no stranger to academic excellence as this is not the first time she is a valedictorian – she graduated as most outstanding student and valedictorian at Micoud Secondary School. Bernice said her source of success is her family; for their prayers and motivation throughout her entire school life. Born in Mon Repos, St. Lucia, Bernice choose UWI St. Augustine for her studies because of its legacy of excellence. She acknowledges UWI as “the avenue for the youth of the islands to learn, to un-learn and re-learn together.” At UWI she engaged in numerous extra-curricular activities. She recalls cooking and sports competitions organized by the St. Lucian Association of Students (LuSATT) and Milner Hall committee. She was also involved with UWISTAT for about a year planning events for CSME week, World AIDS Day and the Campus Principal’s Children’s Christmas party. Her most memorable experience at UWI was the support from faculty and students following Hurricane Tomas which devastated St. Lucia in 2010. She plans to read for a Masters Degree in Environmental Law.
Born in Orange Field Settlement, Carapichaima, Fameeda Mohammed went to Waterloo Secondary School for seven years, pursing business subjects. Her decision to pursue the BSc in Management Studies (Specials) with a minor in Finance came from the advice from her teachers who assured her it would supplement her knowledge in the field. Fameeda recollects many memorable experiences at the UWI; like her two favourites: Campus Carnival and Orientation Week, and she looks back fondly at the everyday experiences such as “the teamwork and hustling to complete projects to get them printed on time.” She readily acknowledges the teaching staff at Waterloo High for their help and support throughout her studies at UWI, as well as her mother. She is involved in Latin and belly dancing; a form of art she describes as exciting and a great avenue for self expression. She is also a hiking aficionado. In her spare time, she loves to shop and go to the cinema. Fameeda intends to continue her studies in the areas of law, finance and economics.
David’s path to medicine was not clear cut. After completing sixth form at St. Mary’s College he took a year off and worked as a waiter; which brought him communication skills. His career goal was to become a Biologist but due to last minute changes, fate introduced him to medicine. David quickly grew a passion for medicine, solidified by his interaction with patients. They inspired him to excel as his “knowledge or lack thereof can mean the difference between life and death.” Among all the significant moments at UWI writing his final MBBS exams stood out. Although motivated, David recalls the information overload and nervousness he felt. Nonetheless it was pacified with the bond he and his classmates shared from sharing information and helping each other. David was also very active in UWI club affairs. He served in the Medical Students Council (MSSC) in different capacities from 2007-2011 and was the UWI Guild counsellor representing the Faculty of Medical Sciences. He felt privileged to serve the student body and describes it as a rewarding experience. |
Meera Rampersad-Janglee 
Anaïs Violette Juliette Joseph
Dexnell Peters
Bernice Lina Robinson
Fameeda Lorraine Mohammed
David Milne