She followed her dream and roped in success

On tuning in to 103 FM, one comes across a voice that is spontaneous, lively and versatile. This dynamic voice heard on prime time radio (103 FM) each day from 1pm to 4 pm belongs to the beautiful and charming young woman Cherryl Dookie, 22.  She is a  “country girl” from Rio Claro who followed her dream and roped in the success she wanted as a radio announcer. Today she wakes up in her St Augustine home and gets into gear for her job that is both demanding and rewarding. Although she wears a sad face these days having lost her father, Shaheed Ali, she managed a smile as she spoke to People about her trail to success as an announcer. “First of all I never thought my voice would have earned me a job. I wanted to get into business management because I did not want to settle for just a job as a clerk like the other girls. I wanted to go for something  bigger,” said the ambitious Cherryl who spoke with a certain conviction in her voice.

One day while listening to the radio station she heard an advertisement for young DJs. “I thought I would try out just for the fun of it. I wrote in my application and mailed it to the radio station. After that I forgot all about this and decided to get into business studies,” she said. She then purchased books and enrolled in a school for part time studies in San Fernando. Within three weeks she received a letter from that station telling her to attend a workshop at the studios. Young Cherryl was thrilled. She made a demo and submitted it to the radio station and she was selected from a list of more than 250 applicants for radio announcing. “I could not believe this. I had an opportunity to be on radio,” she remembered the moments leading up to her entrance into radio. Although she did the graveyard shift of 12 midnight to 4 am, she enjoyed reaching the people who wanted to hear the soothing music of the past and the present. Cherryl really impressed her boss with her command of the programme. Soon she was on her way to do advertisements and later when there came an opening for daytime announcing, Cherryl was chosen to do the 1pm to 3 pm shift called Sargam.

Cherryl noted her love for East Indian music came from her school days at the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha’s Rio Claro Hindu School. She was exposed to music and song from her early childhood days at the school where she participated in the singing competition for the annual Baal Vikaas. “I was attracted to the beat of the drums and the sound of music that came from India. I would listen to this type of music whenever I was alone. Although I love to listen to pop songs, I had a special liking for the songs that came from India,” she said. While she was at Rio Claro Senior Secondary School, she lost her mother Ena Dookie. Her mother who worked long hours as a cook had died. During the days that followed, young Cherryl wanted to quit school and go away to another country. But her brother Robin Dookie stood by her and gave her everything she needed for school. Being without a mother, Cherryl grew stronger. She had to do everything for herself. She managed to pass her exams in Modern Studies and languages. “I had to be strong and take control of my life and I believe that my mom was looking down at me and helping me along,” she said. Many of Cherryl’s relatives complained that she was always by herself. “I love to be alone researching books and taking notes of the topics that interest me and I didn’t care for gossip or too much company,” she spoke softly  about her growing years.

The funny thing is that when she decided to get an apartment in St Augustine, she really missed home. “The gossip and talking and laughter really makes home, home. And I remembered my grandmother talking but in the city there is a distinct loneliness. I have to get out and go into the office to meet my friends,” she said. Although she was blamed for being a loner, when she came on her own she missed the love and laughter of her family back in Rio Claro. Cherryl noted that her love for business is still very much there with her. “I would like to open a club or an entertainment centre or even a cosmetic shop. I feel I would eventually get into business after my stint as an announcer has come to an end,” she said. She also loves drama and would like to get into acting if the opportunity presents itself. The sky is the limit for this ambitious young lady.