Jesse Owens said “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.”
Alicia Steele’s journey is a testament which shows that passion, perseverance and determination lead the way. Alicia is a determined young lady who faced the challenge of low grades in high school academic life. However, over the years, she has made an inspiring transformation in her university journey. As a child growing up, often Alicia felt lost and alone. Even within her extended family, she struggled to find her place. So she spent much of her time in a room, lost in her own imaginary world.
“I was unable to grasp the happenings right in front of me, unable to comprehend the conversations around me. My mind often wandered into daydreams about my aspirations and what I wanted to become in life. I found solace in my imaginary world, spending more time there than in the real world,” she said.
Further she added, “It wasn’t until my later childhood years that I realised the importance of connecting with others and understanding the complexities of life. I began to comprehend that I was lagging behind my peers in knowledge and struggled to grasp what was being taught in school. It would take me several attempts to understand what my classmates could grasp in a single session. I found myself consistently at the back of the class in terms of academic performance.”
In the year 2000, while Alicia prepared for the national grade six exams(NGSA), she prayed for admission to a good school. However, she ended up at Vryman’s Erven Secondary School, a school notorious for its low academic reputation in New Amsterdam, Region 6. The school had earned unflattering nicknames like “Donkey College,” “Cowboy School,” and “Pumpkin & Brown Rice,” which left Alicia deeply disappointed.
At Vryman’s Erven Secondary, she continued to struggle academically and encountered discouragement from her teachers who perceived her as not being among the brighter kids. After completing high school with grades of fours and fives, she was disheartened. Alicia was left unsure of her future while others were rejoicing and advancing to further their education.
“I firmly believe that sometimes, we are pushed into success or guided toward our purpose. In my case, it was the arrival of Miss Shenella Benjamin during my fifth form that changed the trajectory of my life. She invested her time, energy, and resources in nurturing her students, not just academically, but also spiritually. She, along with others like Miss Marica Conway and Miss Shonette Reid-Charan, who took the time to support and mentor me,” Alicia highlighted.
She mentioned that the movie, Akeelah & The Bee, made a profound impact on her, which motivated her to push and achieve her goals. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God…” – Marianne Williamson, is a quote from the movie that became her favourite. “This quote instilled confidence in me and motivated me to find effective ways to learn and excel,” Alicia mentioned.
Over the years, Steele has absorbed the negative judgments and criticisms of others, which led her to doubt herself and undermine her potential. Alicia reached a point where she believed she was not worth the effort. However, these life experiences as well as Rev. Amica Liburd, acted as extrinsic motivational factors which helped to build her confidence, and compelled her to keep moving forward.
Alicia said, “In life, there will always be people who doubt you, give up on you when things get tough, speak negatively about your shortcomings, and judge you based on your circumstances. However, it’s up to you to decide how you respond to these negative voices. You can either let them consume you and live in doubt, or you can use them as motivation. Everything you need to be great is within you. Believe in yourself, have faith that God is on your side, and work diligently to achieve your goals.”
Further she noted, “I had to find the methods that worked best for me. I sought help from teachers, even though it was difficult and embarrassing. I also prayed for guidance from God. I discovered that I was more focused and productive when I studied in the early morning hours, so I worked with that schedule.”
Even though Alicia was disappointed to complete secondary school, she didn’t let that mark the end of her pursuit of knowledge. She started working and utilised the money from her salary to pay for private lessons. At lessons, she took on three subjects at once and passed them with the help of family members and Dr. Irene Quandie-Daniels. With a passion for education, she also pursued a number of short courses in topics that attracted her, such as; electrical technician, vocal advocacy, graphic design, photography, videography, music and worship.
Currently, Alicia is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in theology at the University of the West Indies, Mona, whilst working towards a diploma in Pastoral Ministry at the United Theological College of the West Indies in Jamaica.
Alicia’s story should be an encouragement to others that you can achieve whatever you aspire to in life, even if your path doesn’t align with everyone else’s. Sometimes, you may need to put in extra effort or work harder than others to reach your goals. Trust in God to manifest your dreams, and know that your moment of success will come and be incredibly fulfilling. As a christian, Alicia is thankful to the Lord for guiding her on this ongoing journey.
When asked for advice, Alicia stressed, “At every level of your journey, you may encounter individuals who push you to be your best. I found friends like, Rev. Javed Intiaz & Mr. Kenroy Wilson at the university who helped me articulate my goals. They reminded me that I could live in the present and shape my future. They encouraged me to stop feeling sorry for myself, focus on the positive, and work harder. Surround yourself with prayer warriors who will lift you up in prayer.”
She also wishes to express her gratitude to everyone who has supported her academically on this journey (as names are too many to be listed).
Alicia’s journey from high school to university serves as a powerful testimony to the power of self-reflection, determination and a growth mindset. Her story reminds us that success is not solely determined by past failures but by the willingness to adapt, learn, and grow. Every student can find their way, even if their academic journey starts on rocky ground. Her story also serves as a reminder that, with the right mindset and a commitment to self-improvement, anyone can turn the page and create their own success.
