Kersha tops in engineering

THIS year’s UWI graduation ceremony brought with it many highlights. One of these was the delivery of the valedictory address by Kersha Edwards who was given a rousing round of applause following her earnest yet witty oration. “I realised that many people don’t see the purpose behind their lives. If this is the case life can be the most confusing thing. People need to find out the reason for their creation and presence on earth. The best place to go to for this is the source, Almighty God,” declared the devout Christian. The First Class Honours graduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering also won the Raytheon Canada Prize for the Best Level Three Student doing the Computer Option. She also has an extensive list of academic accolades. This Modern African Dance expert and pan player doesn’t take all the credit for the success which she achieved at the university.

“My youth group at church was a great help. They would call me and offer that needed support for me when we met every Friday. Mummy also helped a lot with the food in particular, of course she would keep praying for me and when things weren’t going too well I would just call her. And I could never forget my friends from Trinity Hall,” said the humble 23-year-old. Specifically with regard to her life while at UWI, Kersha said, “I stayed on Trinity Hall for three years and had a fantastic experience as a ‘Gremlin’. I choreographed and danced for every concert, enjoyed most Hall activities and made many Caribbean friends. I also represented T-Hall and subsequently UWI at Campus Debating Competitions. I was also the Year 1 Class representative for my engineering class and in third year I was the TFN Block representative and Trinity Hall Head of Shop and Decorations.

The illusive and coveted First Class Honours came as a result of Kersha’s great desire to be successful. “One of the primary things that motivates me is the desire to do well, I know that that is what God expects of me. Everything that I do, I do for the glory of God. I also just love seeing my mother’s face when I am successful at anything. She gets really, really happy. I also want to make a difference. I grew up for part of my life not really having a goal and not many young people around me with great aspirations. I want to be able to be an example,” added the Claxton-Bay resident, Kersha humbly continued, “I think that my strengths are also my weaknesses. For example, my determination helps me to stick to a Christian life whereas that same stubborn streak can make it difficult to reason with me.

I most enjoy sitting around and chatting and telling jokes with close family and friends. I choose to be devoted to Jesus Christ, and that relationship is the most consistent, rewarding, and fulfilling one that I have ever experienced. That is the basis of my ‘spirituality’ as some people put it.” With no doubt that Kersha can succeed in her endeavours, what are her plans for the future? “Well I have had one credo ever since I could read. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Spiritually, I want to continue to serve the Lord, especially through dance. Professionally, I hope to be a competent controls engineer who is knowledgeable of my field and other related fields. Personally, I hope to marry the man of my dreams and maybe start a family. I also want to get my masters degree; most likely I’ll want to go abroad for that. And personally I want to learn more languages and add at least two further forms of dance to my repertoire.”