TWENTY- two year old Tamika Henry, who in 2007 left Guyana on a Government of Guyana Scholarship to pursue studies at a university in the United States of America, returned home last week, having done her country proud. She now holds a BSc degree majoring in Forensics, with a minor in Political Science and Chemistry from the University of Miami.
A former student of Queen’s College, at age sixteen in 2004 Henry graduated from that institution with an enviable academic performance record, and was justly rewarded its 2004 valedictorian status.
Having secured passes in eleven subjects with ten distinctions, she also emerged Guyana’s top CXC candidate in 2004.  Additionally, she secured three distinctions at the CAPE Examination and three subjects (2 Grade Ones and 1 Grade 2) at the London GCE Advanced Level Examination.
At the tender age of nineteen, Henry entered university with a vision of being able to complete her studies in the shortest possible time with good grades, and to be able to return to serve her country.  With a proven track record, and renewed diligence, she remained steadfast and focused and so was able, within three years, to complete a degree programme, which normally would have taken four years.
By the end of the first year she had firmly clinched a position on the Dean’s Honours Roll; moving even higher in the second year with a higher Grade Point Average that landed her on the Provost Honours Roll.  She graduated with General Honours for the overall programme.
Other awards Henry received while in University included The Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Award; the Order of Omega (the Highest Greek Award at the University); the Lambada Award on the basis of her leadership qualities and academic excellence as a member of the Sigma Lambada Gamma National Sorority Inc.  With a solid Christian background from her childhood days at the Tucville Assembly of God, she was quickly able to integrate and became a member of the Hammond Butler Gospel Choir, eventually assuming the position of President of that group.
In perspective, she recalls it wasn’t all smooth sailing, because she was studying day and night, through holidays including Christmas, so as to be able to complete her programme in a shorter period.  She did socialize, but held on to her cultural and religious mores.  Apart from her hard work in her quest and determination to succeed, she received an incredible measure of God’s favour. Tamika gratefully acknowledges:  “I know that along the way a lot of miracles happened for me.  There had to be something supernatural, and I thank God for that.”
Some of her best moments were at her Graduation, of course, after all the hard work and sacrifice: Just being able to walk up and accept that passionately sought after symbol of accreditation.  It was overwhelming.  Her sister and two cousins living in the United States were there.
“But no one … absolutely no one, can take the place of your mom and dad on an occasion such as that,” Tamika asserted.  She recalls a few tears spontaneously rolling down her cheeks as she appeared on stage for just those ‘five seconds’ to receive her degree, and knowing that  her parents, who were always there for her, could not be around. “It made me very, very sad, but I was still grateful to have their off-shore support.”
Her advice to young people going through schooling or entering the world of work: “I definitely think that young people should not be comfortable with mediocrity or anything that’s not challenging them enough. Set yourselves positive goals, keep focused, and work resolutely towards achieving them.” Noting that Guyana has a very high level of educational opportunities, she is urging students to take advantage of every opportunity here at home, which would serve as a good springboard for greater academic pursuits.
And with that phase being over, Tamika would like to Thank God, her parents – Mr. and Mrs. Maurice and Yvonne Henry of Lamaha Park; officers of the Customs and Revenue Authority; the Government and people of Guyana; tutors and others at the University of Miami; Queen’s College; Stella Maris; the teachers who gave her private lessons here in Guyana and all those who contributed to making her realise her dream.
Whilst it is her desire to move on to obtain her Masters degree, Tamika will take a well-deserved break, after which she intends working in an area that will allow her to meaningfully utilise her knowledge here in Guyana, before working for her post-graduate degree.