TEVITA SKEINE - ROSE TOWN GIRL IS HONOUR STUDENT

TEVITA SKEINE...ROSE TOWN GIRL IS

HONOUR ENGINEERING STUDENT

Except for her four years at College in the USA, Tevita Skeine has lived all her life in the volatile inner city area of Rose Town, West Kingston. But that does not define her and who she has become. Despite the many struggles and challenges that have faced her, today Tevita, the ninth of eleven children for her mother, is the first person in her family to qualify as an engineer. And everyone is beaming with pride over her success.

 Her Member of Parliament, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, is heading the list of those celebrating with her today.  He heaped praises on her when she paid a courtesy call on him at Jamaica House on January 22 during which he got the details of her outstanding achievements at Kettering University in Michigan, USA.

Tevita not only graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering, she had a 3.66 Grade Point Average out of a total possible 4. This allowed her to graduate with distinction. She was also regarded as an outstanding leader and performed the role of student ambassador for her university. Tevita was elected the Vice President of the International Club, an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers and was elected into several student honour societies.

Responding to the Prime Minister's question on how she was able to achieve so much in a foreign country, Tevita gave credit to the support from her family.

"In my community, my friends are not as progressive and they do not think that there are other options out there. My mother barely finished high school, but she thought that it was best for us to go and she did her best," Tevita said. She carries the message to her friends that "Not everybody is going to make it to tertiary levels, but everybody can gain a skill." This past student of Immaculate Conception High School said that the school also provided an environment that encouraged academic excellence.

She was first exposed to Kettering University through a six week scholarship from the Jamaica Public Service to Kettering University and not having any financial support at home to carry her through four years of college, Tevita ensured that she would qualify for assistance from her school. By her final year, she needed more help and it seemed as if the unthinkable might happen and that she would not be able to finish.

At that time, Jamaica Energy Partners was doing foundation work to start operations in her community. The company has a tradition of being an active partner for education and training and the directors were inspired by her story of persistence and diligence. During her final year, the company contributed US$14,000 so that she could fulfil her obligations to the university and receive her degree. The result- Tevita completed her studies with honours and returned home.

Tevita is highly appreciative of   the support from Jamaica Energy Partners,   and does not lose an opportunity to encourage young people, including her brother who is a student at Calabar, to pursue tertiary education.

Ever the leader, Tevita used her visit with the Prime Minister to lobby for better road safety in Rose Town, noting that children who have to carry water are at risk from taxis that use the community as a speedy shortcut. She welcomed the multi-purpose court and the Denham Town housing estate which are currently under construction, noting that these would give a major lift and boost to her community.