UVU was just the place that gave me the opportunity to be whatever I wanted to be.
I was a high school teacher on the island of Grenada, and I always knew that I wanted to pursue a higher level of education. But in all honesty, my students sent me to UVU. I had a number of students who were very loving but very active, and I couldn't understand how to deal with them. I decided to study psychology to understand how I can better deal with students.
My husband and I sent out applications to a number of places, and UVU responded first. We knew nothing about UVU or even Utah. Because we were older, we wanted to go to a place where there would be minimal distractions, so we could study hard, get it done with, and then go back home. So UVU was perfect in that way. We just wanted to come to a place that would give us the opportunity to achieve our goals.
I have always been involved in culture and performing. When I came to UVU, my eyes were opened to a lot of things, like the performing arts. I was very, very impressed with it. It was not as diverse as I would have liked it to be. And I decided then that I had something to share with the rest of the UVU community, and they embraced it. They embraced my desire to share.
So, I decided to get involved with Multicultural Student Services with international students. Learning about the lives and cultures of other students made me value diversity even more. That was one of the reasons I restarted the Black Student Union. When I was there, we decided to have an event called “Mr. and Miss UVU International,” and that was one of the events that were very memorable and opened my eyes.
I also started a dance group, and we got to perform at a number of events on campus and travel to places like Wyoming with UVU leaders. UVU was just the place that gave me the opportunity to be whatever I wanted to be. I had no excuse not to serve, not to give back, and that has really shaped my life. When I went back home, service was just what I went into doing because I had a good example here of what a person can be and do if given the opportunity.
I feel really good when I serve. And I think I benefit more from service than the people I serve. It’s just my way of living what I refer to as my motto to “live full and die empty.” I’m a lifelong learner, so I am constantly learning things. Whether it is with my handcraft, singing, dancing, or music. I just love to live. I know that once I learn something, then there is always somebody I can share it with, and that’s my motivation.
Learning I had stage four cancer was devastating. I drove up to the canyon, which I normally went to when I was happy. I drove and drove and drove, and I cried and cried and cried. Cancer is always a scary thing, and I needed to wrap my head around it and realize that it didn’t have to be a death sentence. I asked for peace, and after two to three weeks of questioning, when I had to go through the whole thing, I just felt this very deep sense of peace that I've always had. I am a very strong person, and people keep reminding me of that because I've been through quite a bit.
I said to myself, “You know what, cancer is probably going to save my life,” because I was so very busy, up and down, doing lots of things. But I had to stop. And I had to look at everything passing by and know I was realigning, pivoting, adjusting to suit that.
I hope that I don’t forget that space I was in. Because when you forget, you go back to the same place and forget how it felt and what it meant. But I probably would not have gotten there without the crisis. That is probably the sad thing about it. The crisis brings us into that state, and when it’s gone, we forget. I really don’t want to forget. I think I might, but I really don’t want to because I think it’s good for me.
College was tough for me. As much as I enjoyed it, I fell asleep at the foot of my bed many times, without finances and without knowing where I was going to get the next provision. But in those times, stepping aside from yourself and serving others is a great distraction. So, find things that can distract you from your stress and get involved. UVU is an amazing place.
Links:
2023 Martin Luther King Day Celebration at UVU
UVU African Diaspora Initiative on Instagram
UVU Black Student Union on Instagram
UVU Psychology
UVU Hospitality Management
