BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A young Kittitian scholar has done herself, family and country proud when she successfully attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Nipissing University in Canada.
The young scholar, Michelle Johnson-Greaux of Camps Estate, who is described as a disciplined, hard-working professional, had travelled over 3 500 kilometres to participate in the Convocation held on the University’s campus in North Bay, Ontario, Canada on Thursday (Jun. 11).
According to an article penned by Emily Haws, one of Johnson-Greaux’s set goals was to attain higher education, but was unable earlier in her life to achieve that due to the lack of financial support.
She however persevered, made numerous sacrifices and completed her degree online through Nipissing University’s Distance Education Programme.
“I always wanted higher education and, at the time, my parents could not qualify to sign the loan for me. And coming from a poor household I was not sure how I was going to get there. So I started working and every time I was able to save some money I did some of the courses,”
Johnson-Greaux reportedly said.
She continued: “It took a while, but I realised it didn’t matter how long it took to get somewhere, once I got there I can continue pressing forward.”
Haws reported that Johnson-Greaux told her she started working toward her degree in 2003 and slowly progressed since then, taking courses as she could afford them.
She explained that Johnson-Greaux had completed her degree in December last but missed convocation. The Kittitian however did not intend to miss the one held on Thursday and flew all the way to Canada.
“Because I wasn’t able to have the campus experience, I figured let me go to the final step,” she said, adding, “It is really the icing on the cake.”
The young scholar explained that the programme was not technology-driven when she started her studies, but she had found it easy because she could have communicated with her tutors by email and telephone at any given time.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Johnson-Greaux, who returned to St. Kitts last evening (Jun. 13), said she had winged out to Canada on the previous Saturday and was very excited when she stepped on the stage to be conferred with her degree.
The former St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank and Caribbean Credit Card Corporation Limited employee, is the wife of Sergeant Carl Greaux, Officer-in-Charge of Cayon Police Station, who she claimed was of tremendous assistance to her.
“Firstly, I must give thanks and praise to God, without whom I would not have had the wisdom, knowledge, understanding and perseverance to successfully complete my degree programme. I also want to say thanks to my family for their support, especially my loving husband Carl who encouraged me to complete the last few courses.”
In her message to young people in the Federation, especially the young women in Camps Estate, Johnson-Greaux said they should believe in their ability and set themselves realistic and positive goals.
“I would like to say to my fellow young women, especially those who hail from Camps Estate, that they should remain focused and devoted to learning more of the world and themselves so that they can use the knowledge gained from both to achieve the goals they have set themselves.
“There will be obstacles along your way in achieving set goals, but nothing is impossible when God is at the helm of your journey. Many people still have the belief that this is a man’s world, but we women are slowly and steadily moving away from that archaic perception. Therefore, whatever profession you may choose to pursue in life, be it engineering or the technical aspect of agriculture, go for it. And remember, aim for the sky, and if you fall short the clouds will be your cushion.”
Speaking with this publication, Sergeant Greaux said he is very proud of his wife’s achievement and they both have been encouraging each other to pursue higher education, as she had done the same to him while he was pursuing an online course that is related to his profession.
“I am elated! I am very proud of the woman whom God has given me for a wife. Although we live a humble life, we are wealthy in the eyes of the Lord. When Michelle told me that she had successfully completed her degree programme, we both gave thanks to the Father for making it a reality.”
Johnson-Greaux is also the holder of an associate degree in Banking from the Institute of Canadian Bankers and declared that she is now working on her Chartered Professional Accountant designation from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
The management and staff of SKNVibes extend congratulations to Michelle Johnson-Greaux on her recent academic achievement and wish her success in her future endeavours.
