What am I going to do?’ I looked into the University
of the West Indies(UWI) but thought it was really
expensive and that I couldn't afford it. Although my
Leaving no stones unturned, Whitney attended
the seminar. The next thing you know, she was
on a flight from St. Lucia bound for Louisiana.
family said, “Go for it; we will cross that bridge when
we get there, I thought this was not an opvtion.”
“I honestly didn't know what I'd do with a bachelor’s
degree in biology," she says. "But, at 19 years old I
Whitney waited on that Cuban scholarship. In
the interim, she found herself substituting,
teaching Math and Science at her alma mater,
St. Josephs Convent.
decided to take the plunge and left the comfort of
my home.
I was worried and wondered whether my academic
preparation from St. Lucia would be sufficient. I had
“It was a unique experience, I still felt like a student," never travelled to the United States, and didn't know
she says. "As students we were not allowed in the what to expect...boy was I nervous."
staff room and there I was sitting at my desk, with all
my teachers whom I hold in high regard. Although it
was initially awkward, teaching at SJC was a great
But as is characteristic of Whitney, she was
ready and had no problem assimilating...
learning experience.”
“Fortunately there was a cohort of St. Lucians who
Her 3-month stint ended and Whitney found
herself teaching again, this time full-time in a
new setting.
were also going to attend Grambling State
University, so in the end I wasn't really alone, they
eventually became my family away from home," she
says. "Once I got to Grambling I naturally became
“Then I got a job at the Micoud Secondary School. It part of the school community. I joined the science,
was my first time being in a co-ed setting, and the cultural, scientific and religious organizations. I also
exposure to this new environment and teaching found myself tutoring students in science and
dynamic was very enriching," she says. "There I mathematics.”
developed many good friendships with my
colleagues and hopefully, made a positive impact on
the lives of my students. But even while I was there, I
Her summers, she spent in research labs across
the country broadening her knowledge...
felt like I needed to explore other options and
continue pursuing my educational endeavors.”
"Every summer I tried to get into a program where I
could gain research experience," she says. "That
Her sister passed on some information that
would forever change her life course…
prove to be challenging because of my international
student status as most undergraduate research
programs were federally funded. Only a few places
"One day my sister, Darra, said to me, 'I came across would accept international students and that made
this announcement online stating that someone will it very hard."
be coming to St Lucia to speak and offer
scholarships to Grambling State University."