Meet 15 year-old Phebe Alexander, a form four student and the general secretary of the students’ council of the Soufriere Secondary School. She is also a member of the Young Leaders club and the president of the school’s Junior Achievement company at her school. At the recent JA awards Phebe walked away with the award for achiever of the year. Her prizes: an EC$3,000 bursary towards her tertiary level education, a 7” Lexus Tablet and a trophy. Her school also won the trophy for “highest returns on investment” award.
Recently the STAR spoke to Phebe about the success of the JA company at the school as well as her personal endeavours.
STAR: What was it like working with your school’s JA company?
Phebe: At the beginning it was a bit tedious, since it took a while for everyone to really get into it. So it was a bit difficult at first but it got better as we learnt to communicate and as members of the group got to know each other better.
STAR: What was the company at the school involved in?
Phebe: Okay what we realized was that the students these days are not really into the cloth ribbons, even the ones that they must wear as part of the school uniforms. So we saw the need to be creative and come up with some fashion bows for the students. They really got into it and our sales were very good too.
STAR: How has being a part and leader of this team helped you?
Phebe: It has helped me by getting to know the students and how to work as a team. I am happy that I played a role in helping the other students become more interested not just in this, but in school. Overall I think my communication skills and how to work with others have improved.
STAR: Tell us more about yourself academically.
Phebe: I am currently a form 4 student as I indicated with an 80 plus average. I am preparing to write eight CXC subjects when the time comes.
STAR: Any extra curricular activities?
Phebe: Well besides JA and Young Leaders at my school, in the community of Fond St. Jacques where I am from I play netball and football. I am also part of various committees on the Fond St. Jacques youth and sports club.
STAR: And finally from us have you given any thought to a career you would like to pursue?
Phebe: An obstetrician/gynecologist. The reason for this is because I would really like to take care of women particularly young women from my community. I have a passion to see young women develop not just socially and academically but that their health and wellbeing is also taken care of. And lately I have noticed that a number of our young women are just out there on the streets with little attention to their health. And so I hope that some day I can give back whereby I can share my expertise with these women.
