THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES – FIVE ISLANDS CAMPUS
CEREMONIES FOR THE PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES 2023
VALEDICTORIAN MS. KENDRA THOMAS Bachelor of Education with First Class Honours
Ms. Kendra Thomas grew up in a disciplined and loving household with her parents Lemuel (deceased) and Veronica Thomas, both avid readers. They encouraged and modelled an environment of excellence, which taught her to appreciate and value an education. This left Kendra yearning for knowledge which she keenly received in school and by reading many books. Encyclopedias allowed her to explore and discover the world through pages and words as she realised a passion for science was slowly igniting within her. At a very young age, Kendra reinforced her learning by teaching stones and her dolls at home. She was destined to be an educator. Her pursuit in education took her to the Golden Grove Primary School, the Antigua Girls’ High School (where she pursued the natural sciences), and the Antigua State College where she completed teacher training, earning her associate degree in education. Kendra’s passion for knowledge and science led to her serving as an educator for 24 years at the Golden Grove Primary School and the Green Bay Primary School. She later joined the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries as a Curriculum Support Officer for primary and secondary level science, a position she still currently holds. Kendra combined her love for education and her passion for science and technology as she worked on the National Science Fair Steering Committee for many years and as a Trainer on the Systemic Technology Integration Technology Series (STITS), a project sponsored by the Antigua and Barbuda Rotary Club. She also co-edited the “Innovative Science and Technology for the Caribbean” textbook series and was a part of the curriculum writing committee for the OECS harmonized science curriculum and the 2009 and 2019 national primary science curriculum. Kendra volunteered with the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) on several bird censuses and training sessions. She is community- spirited and actively contributed to her community as the Deputy Chairperson
of the District Disaster Preparedness Committee, showing her commitment to safety and well-being. In addition to her academic pursuits, Kendra is a dedicated mother of two children, a role she cherishes as her most significant achievement. She excels at balancing her family responsibilities with her educational aspirations and her hobbies, reading and backyard gardening. She acclaims her family’s support as pivotal in her continual motivation to excel in all her endeavours. She lives by the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” which shines through her humility, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family and community. Kendra Thomas, a remarkable individual whose educational journey was characterized by resilience, dedication, and leadership as she finally pursued her degree after many deferrals. Today, she is The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus’ valedictorian for 2023. She embodies of excellence with a consistent GPA of over 4.0 and the Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence - a true inspiration to her fellow graduates. Her perseverance, dedication to education, and unwavering commitment to her community perfectly reflect the spirit of The University of the West Indies.
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