FOLLOWING through on a life-plan she had created in her early teenage years, Jubilante Cutting was recently admitted to practise law in Guyana.
Cutting, a Bishops’ High School (BHS) alumna, activist and founder of the Guyana Animation Network (GAN), has blazed the academic trail throughout her school life, having made it her mission to succeed from a tender age.

Her petition was presented by Attorneys-at-Law Christopher Ram and Robert McRae before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire at the Demerara High Court.
Speaking during her admission, Cutting recounted that in 2017, just before beginning the final leg of her journey in Trinidad, she was drawn to two simple words: Pursue and purpose. At the time, she said, she did not know why those two words stuck out to her, but she would later use them as inspiration to get her through her studies.

“I believe that the beckon to pursue purpose has been the motivating force, constantly driving, pushing, and nudging me through this journey,” Cutting said.
Following her parents’ divorce when she was just nine years old, Cutting promised herself that she would not allow her situation to be used to elicit validation, pity or deference, but would see it as a delimitation between the destinies that God had designed for her.

“I was determined to pursue purpose with diligence, determination, and persistence, not knowing what that destiny was. But as I grew older, I saw the pieces coming together,” she said.
Cutting, between the ages of 13 and 15, designed a five-to-10-year plan of her life, which has led her to where she is today.
During her time at ‘Bishops’, she learnt the importance of education and service to the community.
In addition to excelling at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exam, and the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), Cutting secured two of the most prestigious awards[zf1] offered by the school, these being the Dingaan Stephenson Award for ‘Best Graduating Law Student’ and the ‘Fidele Collier Medal for Outstanding Contribution’ to the school. She was also the Valedictorian in her Form Six year.

“It was there that I not only excelled academically or received numerous awards and medals, but also became involved with information technology and its impact on women and girls locally, regionally and internationally. And I later launched the Guyana Animation Network Inc., after completing my final CAPE exams,” Cutting said. After completing her secondary education, Cutting moved on to the University of Guyana (UG), where she pursued a Bachelor of Law Degree, and would later graduate with a ‘Distinction’, after securing the second highest score in her class.

While at UG, she competed in several activities, and was awarded for her participation in the Caribbean Court of Justice’s 8th International Moot Court Competition and as a member of the winning teams for the Aubrey Bishop Mooting Competition from 2013 to 2015. She was also adjudged the Best Advocate for the 2015 Aubrey Bishop Mooting Competition.
After graduating from UG, Cutting proceeded to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad to pursue the Legal Education Certificate (LEC). During her time there, she equipped herself with the skills, attitude and tools needed to function in the legal profession.

“When the journey to the Hugh Wooding Law School culminated, God did not allow me to doubt the plan placed in my heart at or around age 13. By faith, prayers, determination, encouragement of my community and the financial support of my senior, Christopher Ram, my church and Bishop Dr. Raphael Massiah, Counsel Patricia Bacchus, my family (immediate and extended) and mentors, I was ready to begin the final stretch of the road,” Cutting said.

According to Cutting, she used her challenges as a lesson and opportunity to learn, to reflect and to do better.
“I was reminded by James 2:10 ESV that for whoever keeps the whole law, but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it,” the young attorney said, as she explained that the Bible verse made her more pensive when navigating matters of the law.