Four valedictorians set for UWI graduation ceremonies

Four remarkable students are set to share messages of hope, grit and pure ‘Pelican Pride’ when they address the upcoming University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus’ graduation ceremonies scheduled for November 3 and 4.

Excelling in their studies and communities, these four students serve as a beacon of light for their peers and the nation and will represent their faculties as valedictorians for The UWI Mona’s Graduating Class of 2023.

The class of 2023 valedictorians are: Aundrene Cameron from the Faculty of Law; Charm Evans from the Faculty of Social Sciences, The Mona School of Business and Management; Jamar Grant from the Faculty of Humanities and Education; and Sadeika Smith from the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Valedictorians represent the best of The UWI Mona’s graduating class, and each year, nominees are selected on academic performance, and involvement in extra and co-curricular activities.

The Selection Committee looks for graduates who are creative and critical thinkers, good communicators, versed in technology, strong in their Caribbean identity, and are guided by strong ethics and values.

Cameron has a deep love for volunteerism, nation-building, advocacy and women’s rights.

As a student in the Faculty of Law, she demonstrated remarkable leadership skills and a commitment to making a positive impact on her community. She was recently crowned both the Miss St Catherine Festival Queen, and the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen for 2023. These titles have further fuelled her passion for advocacy, allowing her to serve as a cultural ambassador to promote the rich heritage and traditions of Jamaica.

STUDENT LEADER

As a student-leader, Cameron has held various positions, including vice president of the Mona Law Society, UWI Mona Guild External Affairs Committee, and the University Dance Society. Her drive, determination and the confidence of her peers in her abilities to effectively represent them propelled her to many of these roles.

Grant lives life by the sage advice found in James 2:26, which states, “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works”.

As the first in his family to attend university, he attributes his accomplishments to his humble beginnings. Growing up in More-Rock Sheffield, a deep rural community in Westmoreland, Grant’s upbringing taught him that, in a simple way, he can and will change the world.

Although he prides simplicity as being one of his greatest assets, he has never felt limited in his pursuit of greatness and has lived a life that affirms the premise “success is not final”.

Smith’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering faith. Hailing from Palmers Cross, Clarendon, she spent her formative years in an extended family home where she learned the values of hard work and perseverance. As the second of four children raised by her single mother, Smith’s passion for healthcare blossomed at an early age. She enjoyed tending to the needs of the children in her community who sought help for their scraped knees and bruised elbows.

This early calling was not just a personal aspiration; it became a beacon of hope and a promise to herself and her family to overcome any obstacles that came her way. From the outset, Smith understood that knowledge was the key to unlocking her dreams. It was this understanding, coupled with sheer determination that led her to this day.

Evans was very clear about what she wanted to accomplish on her journey to academic success. She was also always cognisant of the fact that her family and community were counting on her to succeed.

“I’m going to make you proud, no matter how scared I am or what obstacles stand in my way. If it means I have to do it scared, I will make you proud,” she vowed to her family.

Hailing from Grange Hill, Westmoreland, Evans is the third of six children. She is a graduate of The Manning’s School, where she was involved in various extracurricular clubs such as the Girl Guides, United Nations, and the Inter-Schools Christian Fellowship (ISCF). At the end of sixth form she was selected as the top recipient of her school’s AAP Scholarship Programme.