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It鈥檚 no surprise that Cajiah Bethel has the honour of being named valedictorian of the Spring, 2021 class in the 色花堂 of Science.
The Nassau, Bahamas native has been a keen Husky since she met president Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray at a recruitment fair she attended with her mother. She was accepted to Saint Mary鈥檚 while still in grade 11.
鈥淲e fell in love with Saint Mary鈥檚, it was the only school I applied for. I was accepted and I always knew I could come here.鈥�
Which doesn鈥檛 mean it has always been easy. 鈥淭he transition was difficult鈥he first year was rough,鈥� said Cajiah. But I began with the end in mind, so even when things got hard, the end goal was what I wanted to achieve, so at a certain point I knew I had to get serious and use my resources.鈥�
Cajiah has completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. She plans to relax and enjoy her success before enrolling in an MCAT course to prepare to apply for medical school.
鈥淚 always knew I wanted to be a doctor, so I focused on biology,鈥� said Cajiah. 鈥淚 love everything about it, the human body and the plant aspect as well, I loved learning about them as well.鈥�
Along with her studies, Cajiah was a Residence Advisor. She said her boss credited her 鈥渢enacious ways鈥� for her success in being promoted after starting as an assistant RA. She also planning events such as a Residence Life Circus for 250 people in her role as a programming assistant in the residence office, where she still works.
Cajiah鈥檚 advice to new students is to take it day by day.
鈥淭here will be days when you are at your absolute lowest, and there will be days when you鈥檙e at your absolute highest; learn to live in the medium,鈥� she said.
鈥淯se your resources, develop relationships that can help you, and never give up. Absolutely never give up鈥� but take some days off. I鈥檝e had my days when I cried in the Science Advising Centre, but you just try again the next day.鈥�