– fulfils childhood dream, credits hard work, prayers and purpose

ON October 16, 2025 — a day made doubly special by being her 25th birth anniversary — Keona Abiola Higgins was formally admitted to practise as an Attorney-at-Law in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana.
Her petition was presented by Senior Counsel Mr. Timothy Jonas of the firm de Caires, Fitzpatrick & Karran before the Honourable Madam Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty, who granted the application.

Higgins, a native of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, and a proud graduate of the University of Guyana and the Hugh Wooding Law School, stood before the Court surrounded by her family, friends, and colleagues — a moment she described as “humbling and filled with gratitude.”
FROM DREAM TO DETERMINATION
Higgins’ journey to the Bar was anything but straightforward. From as early as age four, she declared her dream of becoming a lawyer — though, at the time, she admits she had little understanding of what the profession entailed.
Her resolve was first tested in secondary school, when the Central High School discontinued its Arts stream, forcing her to switch to Business studies.
That early setback, she said, taught her resilience and flexibility. Later, despite excelling academically, Higgins was denied entry into the Law Programme at The Bishops’ High School.
Undeterred, she pursued Business Studies and graduated in 2019 with ten CAPE subjects and an Associate Degree in Accounting.
Still determined to follow her passion, Higgins enrolled at the University of Guyana, initially studying International Relations before transferring to the Bachelor of Laws programme after achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA.
She graduated in 2023 and was subsequently accepted into the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago to pursue her Legal Education Certificate.
OVERCOMING FINANCIAL HURDLES
While law school acceptance was a triumph, it also brought her greatest challenge, the financial burden of nearly GY$7 million in tuition and living expenses.
Higgins recounted how her family’s limited means made this stage of her education seem impossible.
However, through perseverance, prayer, and the generosity of supporters, including Bounty Farm Limited and its managers Mr. David Fernandes and Mr. Jonothan de Groot, she was able to continue her studies.
“I wrote countless sponsorship letters and received rejection after rejection,” she shared. “But thanks to the kindness of a few, I stand here today.”
EXCELLENCE RECOGNISED
At Hugh Wooding Law School, Higgins distinguished herself academically, earning a place on the Principal’s Roll of Honour and capturing multiple awards for outstanding performance, including: Guyana Government Prize – Best Performance by a Student from Guyana (2025); Book Specialists Prize – Second Outstanding Year II Student (2025); Chief Justice Ian N. Chang S.C., C.C.H. Memorial Prize – Best Performance in Criminal Practice and Procedure (2024); and Israel Khan S.C. Prize, Justice Alice Yorke-Soo Hon Prize, and Mervyn Campbell Prize – for excellence in Criminal Practice and Law of Remedies (2024)
FAITH, FAMILY, AND SUPPORT
During her heartfelt response before the Court, Higgins paid tribute to her family, mentors, friends, and church community, whose faith and encouragement sustained her through adversity.
She expressed deep gratitude to her parents, Dianne Higgins and Seon Nestor, describing their sacrifices as the cornerstone of her success.

“My mother worked tirelessly, even operating a minibus seven days a week, to ensure I could stay in school,” she said. “There is nothing I would not do to see her have an easier life.”
She also fondly remembered her late grandfather, whose dream was to attend her graduation, and thanked teachers, colleagues, and close friends for their guidance and belief in her.
A PROMISE OF SERVICE
Reflecting on her journey, Higgins described her path to the Bar as a story of faith, persistence, and purpose.
“This achievement is not the result of gifts or favours,” she told the Court. “It is the product of consistent hard work, dedication, and the grace of the Almighty. I promise to carry out my duties with integrity and in full accordance with the Legal Practitioners’ Code of Conduct.”
With her admission now complete, Attorney-at-Law Keona Abiola Higgins joins the legal fraternity of Guyana — a symbol of perseverance, humility, and hope for young dreamers who dare to rise above their circumstances.