Shanique brings mom tears of joy at graduation

Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, ST Catherine:

TEARS ROLLED slowly down Suzette Findlay's cheeks as she watched her daughter, Shanique Graham, march into the Spanish Town Seventh-day Adventist Church last Saturday.

The 17-year-old head girl of the Willowdene Group of Schools' High School Division was one of 51 graduates who participated in a consecration service themed 'Armed … Charged … Ready for Success'.

"I feel very proud. I cried because I live to see her graduating from high school with honours," Findlay told The Gleaner. "I cannot find words to explain how I feel, and I have to give thanks to God, Miss Cunningham (Isolene), Pamela Fishley, and to all those who have helped her to reach this far," she added.

Findlay, who hails from St Elizabeth, was overcome with emotion because it was while a student at Magotty High that she became pregnant with Shanique and dropped out of school.

Then, at age 10, Cunningham and her sister, Fishley, accepted the confident teen as a member of their family.

"My niece Kamone and Shanique's mother are friends. Kamone is also Shanique's godmother; and she asked me to take Shanique from St Elizabeth, and we took her in and treated her as if she were our own child," Cunningham shared with The Gleaner.

After Shanique sat the Grade Six Achievement Test at Angel's Primary, she was not sent to the school where she was placed by the Ministry of Education. With the help of administrators of the Willowdene Group of Schools, she pursued her secondary education at the Spanish Town-based institution.

HELP TO CONTINUE EDUCATION

"We didn't have the money to send her here (Willowdene), so I went straight to the (church's) conference office and I told them," Findlay related. "Pastor Levi Johnson, knowing the potential she has, did not hesitate, and when one of them couldn't do it, they teamed up to help this little girl. They have been helping her all the way and I have no regrets," she explained.

Now, Shanique, who aspires to be a forensic pathologist, is awaiting the results of the 11 subjects she sat in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations.

"I'm looking at straight ones or just ones and twos," Shanique told The Gleaner. "I sat 11 subjects because at first, I was a little indecisive about my career path. I did everything so that if I want to switch, I would be able to," she said confidently.

In fact, at the recent graduation ceremony, Shanique copped three trophies for top Bible student, top science student, and academic excellence. She was also awarded for outstanding performances in English language, English literature, Spanish, information technology, mathematics, biology, principles of accounts, and physical education. Additionally, she was recognised for most outstanding achievement in principles of business, physics, chemistry, and Bible knowledge.

The jovial youngster, who got baptised at the Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church in De la Vega City shortly after she went to live with Cunningham, said her mother was the driving force behind her urge to excel.

"My mother dropped out of school with me, so every day I'm living my life for her. Everything that she failed to achieve, I want to achieve it for her so that she can actually be proud," said Shanique with a smile.

"Willowdene High has made me who I am - a young lady. It has taught me how to stand out," she stated. "I was uncertain and it actually helped me to look to God as my ultimate guide because without Him, everything else is impossible," Shanique said.