Don’t let others define you. Don’t let the past confine you. Take charge of your life with confidence and determination as there are no limits on what you can do or become. To know Britney Cunningham is to have read nineteen (19) chapters of a book filled with effervescence of hard work, determination and a plethora of helpfulness and strong will, authored by the cool calm community of Cave Mountain in Westmoreland. The humbleness,
dedication, care and discipline that she exudes are testimonies to the strong family values that her mother and grandfather instilled in her and her siblings while growing up in a single parent household. For her, she believes that life has been no crystal stair as she recalls the countless sacrifices that she has seen her mom make just to keep her and her siblings dreams alive. Britney believes her mom is not only the soil that steers her ship but also the waves below that carries it.
Throughout her educational pursuit Britney exemplifies the quintessential characteristics of a great leader. She also excels academically and has a passion to solve mathematical equations. When asked her why? Her reply is “numbers make sense to me, it is more than just mere symbols and most if not everything in mathematics can be proven unlike other subjects with mostly theories”. It is for this reason that her career is in the path of actuarial sciences. Her professional career goal is to become an actuary, a business professional that analyses the financial consequences of risk using mathematics, statistics and financial theory to study uncertain future events.
Britney believes this could impact her country positively because as the country develops many investments are being made and actuaries play a vital role in reducing the risks of investments so that the country benefits from the highest returns and achieve project objectives with little wastage thus, this will improve the economy as it enables economic growth and sustainability and not merely over exploiting the resources.
For Britney, this was only a dream as she recounts that one of her most difficult experiences was achieving the prerequisites for the course and not being able to proceed due to financial limitations. The Josephine Lily Wolf Memorial Scholarship has opened a myriad of opportunities and has provided her with the platform to make her dreams a reality. The scholarship has also afforded her an avenue to empower other young persons within her school family and community to reach for the stars through bolts and bars as now the aim in the future is geared towards giving back and helping others to achieve their goals.
When asked about the journey at Mannings School she is confident that it has shaped her and galvanized her character into the person she is thankful to each and everyone but especially to her role model Mrs. Audrey Williams-Woolery who has helped her throughout the years. She was one of the first persons to see potential in me even when I did see any in myself. She motivates me to achieve and gives of herself and services unselfishly and unreservedly. Indeed I owe her an external debt of gratitude for her countless sacrifices that were seminal to my development.
Throughout the tenure it wasn’t all academics as Britney believes strongly in volunteerism and youth empowerment consequently. She is a member of numerous clubs such as Math Club, 4H Club, Spanish Club, interact, and Performing Arts Society. She has served as the Chairperson for the Arts and Foods Committee, the Vice President of the Performing Arts Society and vice president of the Spirit Committee. She was Westmoreland Girl of the year 2018 and is the reigning Miss Westmoreland 4H Clubs and also serving as the outgoing Deputy Head Girl of the Manning’s School. She is also active in her community and everyone to put service above self.
To everyone who is applying for this scholarship I implore you to be brave, bold, focus, be yourself and stay optimistic. God is working it out for you, never stop believing in the power of your dream. The philosophies that forever guide my journey is Philippians 4:13“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and ‘si la vid ate da limones has limonada si la vid ate arroja piedras entonces construye una base con ella’ which is Spanish for ‘If life gives you lemons, make lemonade, if life throws you stone then build a foundation with it.
