There are some women who encompass the most amazing grace and character. Their entire aura and being reflect excellence and greatness, and there is no need to convince anyone of it because they lead by example. Dr. Tesa E. Leonce is the epitome of this description. An outstanding young Saint Lucian woman, whose discipline, hard work, and determination allowed her to attain the highest level of education – P.H.D in Economics.  Dr. Leonce applied herself and utilized all the opportunities available to achieve her dreams.  She remained focused and grounded, and is now proud to be an Associate Professor of Economics at Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston, Illinois located just a few hours south of Chicago.  I know that her story will be a source of inspiration to many, especially the youth with hopes of becoming doctors in their respective fields one day.  It is an honor to interview her and  feature her as of one of my ‘Loverly People.’

 

 

Lovee: Hi Tesa, I know you will cringe at me calling you Dr. Leonce repeatedly, so I hope the first name basis is ok with you…(Laughing out loud)

 

Tesa:  …and that would be an accurate prediction my dear Lovee, I’m very happy with Tesa – thanks! You are so kind, what a glowing introduction; I am so humbled to be recognised by you in this way. (smiling)

 

Lovee: (Smiling) You’re welcome, that was easy. I am really grateful that you took the time out of your globe-trotting schedule, (Laughing out loud) to perform this interview. I see you’ve been busy exploring this fascinating planet again with your recent trip to Spain and London- how was it?

 

Tesa: Ha!  Somehow the idiom “pot calling kettle black”, (the West Indian version that is) seems to apply here!  Lovee, I’ve said this to you so many times, and now I’m happy we’re going to document this.  I have been so inspired by your own fascinating adventures!  You have helped me realize that there are just so many places to discover, exciting cultures to explore, and other hidden treasures to uncover…so much to do, so little time.  My contribution to this finding is that one has to create time, i.e. prioritize.  We all make time for things that are important to us, it’s not even a choice in my opinion; it’s innate.  So, like you, I have decided to make discovery a priority…all types!  But to answer your question, yes, I’ve carved out this time to have this great dialogue with you!  Spain was amazing.  I had read so much about Barcelona, the intrigue brought me there first.  I then migrated south with the birds to Madrid, not really in search of warmer weather (it was March, so no such luck!), but to experience Spain’s bustling metropolis, in stark contrast to Barcelona’s more laid back atmosphere.  But as I said, I’ve seen your travel blogs, and I know I’m preaching to the choir, Lovee!  London was amazing as well, I’ve been a few times now; I was happy to spend time with my Aunt Catherine and Uncle Brian who reside there.  Thanks for asking.

 

Lovee:  Thank you for those kind words, but don’t get me started on all the wonders and benefits of traveling, we will be here all day! (Laughing out loud) It really is an eye opener and life altering experience. Is traveling also a passion of yours? What do you love the most about discovering new places and cultures?

 

Tesa:  Well, I truly mean them, Lovee, and you’re right, this conversation can last a lifetime!  Re: travel being a passion – emphatic yes!…and one that is growing in intensity too.  You know, I don’t know that I particularly enjoy the extended hours on planes, trains, and automobiles, but my inner Economist kicks in every time when I come to the same conclusion after getting done with a trip – no, let’s call it an adventure, because trips always evolve that way – the benefits I receive when I get there definitely outweigh all of the costs associated with travel that one can fathom.  It’s not just the money, there are several other opportunity costs as well including time spent away from family, work-related alternatives, and sleep, to name a few!   What I find particularly fascinating about new places in addition to their rich history, architecture, etc. is the fact that when you get there, the way of life is new only to you.  Let me explain what I mean by that. When you get to a location, many things seem so different, like the way people dress, the language they speak, the food they eat, and what they deem as entertainment is just so varied, but the thing is, to everyone else, it is just the norm!  So you can either decide to stand on the sidelines and gawk in discomfort, or you can jump right in and immerse yourself in the culture and be totally transformed by yet another amazing experience that you would never relish had you sat in your office chair or your sofa at home!  The truth is people all over the world are so different, yet so incredibly similar.

 

 

Lovee: I say it all the time, we (as in people)are more alike than we are different, and when we take time to get to know each other, we realize that. What is the most impressive for me is that you go on some of your journeys solo…WOW! I thought I was the only crazy one (laughing out loud) but in all seriousness, it’s great to know a woman with the same adventurous spirit. A friend recently asked me to accompany her on a trip because she didn’t want to go alone. I told her that going solo is probably the best thing she will ever do for herself, and that the things she will discover about herself and others will broaden her horizons in ways she never imagined. How has the experience been for you?

 

Tesa:  Actually, Spain was my first solo adventure believe it or not.  I have always gone with family, significant others, or friends in the past.  My mom, Olive, really played a huge role in developing my travel curiosity from early on.  As a matter of fact, my first ‘big’ trip was a gift from her which she felt I deserved based on my performance on A-level exams.  What a treat it was to board that flight to visit family in Jersey, and then clear across the country to California!  My mom and I have clocked the most travel miles together out of all my travel partners, and believe me, my mama is a travel trooper.  You give her one piece of luggage and a plane ticket…and she will be bright-eyed every single day, anticipating the next excursion.

 

I am becoming more like her, but I didn’t start off that way.  Initially, I found it hard to adapt to functioning with only a few choice items that could fit in a 50-lb contraption…lol.  However, I have learned to pack efficiently and to embrace what I discover at the destination, not what I bring to it.  That principle has actually made the transition from group travel to solo travel a lot smoother.  I had racked up a few miles over the years, so I finally decided to ‘cash in’ on some of them this past spring break.  That was the best decision ever.  I referred to it as my version of Julia Roberts’s Eat, Pray, Love movie which focused on self-discovery, choice, and relationships.   I have to admit that traveling solo did seem daunting at some points, and I knew my family would have probably shared that opinion, so I deliberately decided to make all the travel arrangements and such before informing them.

 

In a sense, I was holding myself to that choice, not leaving any room for a change of heart.  I did run the idea by my bestie, Kay Doxilly, she has always been an objective sounding board and dishes out the best advice.  She said, “go for it!”  We started referring to it as my ‘big girl trip’ from that point on.  We all need a Kay in our lives.   But you know Lovee, as I discovered an increasing number of reliable online travel resources, and as I leaned on all my prior travel experiences where I had done the bulk of the planning, it became so easy, so natural, and that initial apprehension quickly turned into excitement.  I was literally giving myself pep talks as the travel dates approached…. “it will be fun, Tesa!  You’ll meet these incredible people, learn so much about yourself, be on your own schedule, you can change your mind about anything at any second with zero major repercussions”.

 

The perks of solo travel seemed endless  (smiling) Well, truth be told, sometimes we seek some sort of external validation…confirmation that we’re making a rational choice, so I subscribed to a travel networking site I discovered online.  When I began interacting with these travel veterans, oh my goodness, I felt so empowered.  Gosh, what was I thinking, I certainly was no pioneer in solo traveling, the world had been doing this all along!  What took me so long?!  When I took this enthusiasm to my family, they were right on board with me cheering me along, and that was icing on the cake.  Lovee, this is the best advice you could give to your friend.  Looking back at this solo adventure, there were definitely instances where I thought, you know this activity could have been more fun with someone else, but then when you get there, wherever ‘there’ is, you meet people, it forces you to get out of your comfort zone, begin dialogue and share experiences with people who were once strangers.  I would highly recommend a solo travel experience at least once.

 

 

Lovee: You said it all so well. Thanks for the acknowledgement. Traveling really changed my life, and opened up my eyes to a whole new world, and provided such a broader perspective of the world and others. It truly broadened my horizons beyond anything, and I would encourage anyone if they wanted to truly invest in something worthwhile, they should invest in traveling and exploring this fascinating world we live in. We are both blessed to be able to travel with our mothers. My mom travels everywhere with me, and I can’t tell you how much of a blessing that is.  She is such a great travel buddy and her reactions to certain things are priceless!  (Laughing out loud)  So, of course, we went off subject (smiling) and delved into a topic we both could talk about for hours, because of our mutual love for traveling, but as a little girl growing up in Saint Lucia, what was your dream for your life?

 

Tesa: Hmm…my dream was to not have to dream!  Does that make sense, Lovee?  I didn’t want to have to dream for too long.  I totally get that there will always be things to strive for and milestones to reach, but I always wanted to be proactive enough where dreams were only short-lived, at least until the next one rolled around; they would be short-lived because they became reality.  My parents instilled the importance of education not just as an accomplishment in itself, but as one of the primary means of converting those dreams.

 

Lovee: Ahhh…interesting. Love that perspective. What was it like growing up on an Island?

 

Tesa:  I had an amazing childhood.  Looking back, I can say so wholeheartedly.  One thing I credit my parents for is allowing my three siblings (Livia, Nelma, Lennie) and me to live life without any adult care in the world.  We were never burdened with any issues of finances or any sort of instability.  On a different note, like many other island natives, I didn’t really take full advantage of all the island had to offer.  For instance, we only did the beach excursions on major holidays, even when we lived in Reduit Park, less than five minutes from the beach in Rodney Bay.  We didn’t bask in the sun every weekend, go hiking, or lounge poolside.  We didn’t schmooze with the socio-economic upper echelons; my parents always emphasized modesty.  We didn’t do name brand anything, even though they could afford it.

 

To some degree, I think growing up with that philosophy had the opposite effect than what was intended; it actually fueled my ambitions to be able to afford those very things.  I at least wanted to allow myself the option to choose.  I didn’t want to have to dream or wish…I just wanted to work hard and achieve.  For my parents, it was paramount to teach us to remain humble and to value the important things in life.  Life mainly revolved around enjoying the company of family and friends.   I spent many weekends with my maternal grandmother, Aunt Hilea and other extended family.  I grew up in a relatively conservative household where faith was central and still remains that way for me.  Much of my youth experience was within the context of protestant churches and catholic schools.  So in addition to my parents, Leonard and Olive Leonce, people like Pastor Marcellus Henry and Sister Claire played major roles in my early years on the island.  Funny enough, when I reminisce about growing up in St. Lucia, it is always within the context of a core group of classmates who are still very dear to me today.  Overall, growing up in St. Lucia was enjoyable, productive, rewarding, and memorable.

 

 

 Lovee: It’s funny because when we tell others that we’re from an Island, they instantly think that we get to do all these fun, adventurous things all day. But, like you, we rarely enjoyed all the wonderful things our Island had to offer, and I think that’s sad, because we are from a place like no other, and we should enjoy the best of our homeland. Were you always a disciplined student at school, and did you excel in every subject?

 

Tesa:  It’s so true, Lovee.  I appreciate St. Lucia so much more now.  Whenever I go, at least once every year to visit family and friends, I deliberately incorporate at least one ‘touristy’ activity.  That’s my measly attempt at making up for lost time! (smiling)

 

Was I disciplined…well, it depends on how you define ‘disciplined’…lol.  My dad always accused me of studying in my dreams – ha!  He had purposely incorporated a study room for us when he developed the blue print for our dream home almost 25 years ago.  At nights, he would do his usual unassuming study patrol.  My brother was still very young at the time, so my sisters and I were the usual inmates…lol.  I think I could have been a bit more diligent with my studies, it’s just that I really didn’t appreciate being uncomfortable.  I didn’t see the point of pushing oneself to stay awake when clearly there were physiological demands for sleep!  When I was awake though, I did work really hard; I enjoy learning, particularly when a light bulb comes on – it’s a great feeling.  I always sought to excel in whatever I did, although as expected, it grew more and more challenging as time progressed.   My parents still keep a little ‘shrine’ in our living room with all of our achievements to date.

 

Dr. Tesa E. Leonce

 

Lovee: (Laughing out loud) A little rebellious spirit I see. (Smiling) How much of it came naturally, verses you having to always apply yourself and work hard?

 

Tesa:  I believe my hard work is only part of it.  I have studied many hours, and that discomfort associated with lack of sleep which I tried to avoid in my high school years soon became routine.  So many sacrifices you have to make, it’s part of the deal, Lovee.  By definition, in order to excel, you have to push yourself to the limits and sometimes beyond.  The other component is my faith in God; that continues to be at the core…it keeps me focused and allows me to keep things in perspective.  You know, as I get older, I keep a growing log of defining moments where I know with certainty that only divine intervention got me through.  So to answer your question, I believe the instances when we perceived success to come naturally (because there was no explicit effort on our part) were really the moments when God took over.  He just says, “I’ve got this one, you can relax”.

 

Lovee:  He sure does! I love that! Ditto my friend, ditto! I take it, you’ve always enjoyed learning?

 

Tesa:  I wouldn’t say that I always enjoyed it.  I enjoy some elements of the process, for instance the times where I have discovered interesting findings, and have been able to make practical applications, but learning also entails hard work.  Again, I’ll refer to economic theory – a conventional school of thought is that we tend to derive disutility from working, but we choose to engage in the process regardless because it provides a means to earn an income, which then allows us access to items or experiences, which then in turn do bring us some degree of happiness.  I regard learning in that light, it’s a fulfilling process, but I more so enjoy the perks that come upon its completion such as being able to impart that knowledge to others and being able to use the results to positively impact someone else’s existence.  The learning process is life-long, so when I say completion, I’m really referring to completion of a specific stage.

 

Lovee: Love the part about imparting that knowledge unto others. That’s truly what it’s all about. I know that you have a wonderful relationship with your parents, how much of their influence helped instill that discipline and work ethic?

 

Tesa: I do; thank you for acknowledging that.  It really laid the foundation for a lot of things.  A sound relationship with my parents provided emotional stability, and that environment definitely fostered discipline and strong work ethic.  My parents have always had high expectations of my siblings and me.  However, they coupled that with support.  .  I think this combo has worked out really well for us ‘kids’.  My eldest sister, Livia, attained a Master’s degree in Nursing, specializing in Emergency Room care and Geriatrics in Canada; my sister Nelly is a practicing dentist, and is currently pursuing graduate studies with a University in the UK while working full time with the St. Lucia Government and private clinic.  My brother is a shrewd business man and built his Hauling Business from the ground up and is expanding his client base as we speak.  We all took different paths, but my parents are equally proud of our achievements.

 

My mom in particular is my biggest cheerleader, always has been – “pompoms” and all!  The  lady believes I am super woman…lol.  In the past, I think I may have  misguidedly transitioned those expectations to self-imposed pressure to  excel, and that wasn’t always healthy.  However, it was the same healthy relationship with my parents which encouraged open conversations reiterating  that my best is the most they could ever demand, a level that was  definitely attainable.  My dad has his own unique way of letting me know that he is ALWAYS there.  He is more reserved, but always equally proud.   His priority was always to work really hard to ensure that we had what we needed.  When it came to his children, my dad is the most unselfish person I know.  I don’t mean to paint a perfect picture though; as with any other family, we had our dark moments, but thinking about my parents and everything they have done for me really makes me tear up and I thank God for them.  I love them dearly, Lovee…can you tell?  (smiling)  You know, this is the best gift parents can give to their children – support – the reassurance that they will always be there to cheer them on.  I am grateful everyday for a present mom and dad.

 

Lovee: It’s the greatest gift, and you are blessed to have such nurturing and supportive parents. They make all the difference. Always give thanks. Quite an accomplished family, cheers to all of you. I have to tell you that’s it’s great to do an interview and get to say the word “parents” and not just mother. Mothers are great, but I also love saluting the fathers, seeing how their presence makes such a big difference. Did your father play an instrumental role in your life and success?

 

Tesa:  I am forever grateful for the fact that I grew up with both of my parents.  Yes, in my formative years, my dad took on the role of strict disciplinarian almost to a fault.  He was always one to swim against the tide and he taught my siblings and me to stand for something, even when it may not have been popular.  He was also a top achiever in his day.  My dad was awarded a full scholarship and successfully completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Engineering at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.  That was quite an impressive feat for a young man coming up from humble beginnings in Babonneau in the late 70s.  His achievements have always been a source of inspiration to me.  In fact, I’ve since hijacked his diplomas which were once curled up in scroll-like fashion in a dresser drawer somewhere at home; they’re now featured prominently on my living room wall, and I still well up with pride every time I see them.

 

Dr. Tesa E. Leonce and her proud father

Lovee: Fantastic! Continue to celebrate him and his greatness. You should be proud. There are many great men like your father in the Caribbean, and we need to acknowledge them more. You attended the St Joseph Convent, one of the oldest and most reputable institutions of learning on the Island, but also one of the strictest. How did that experience mold you into the woman you are today?

 

Tesa:  When I think St. Joseph’s Convent, I think Sister Claire!  I think she was the most widely known principal on the island.  Her reputation for enforcing discipline preceded her.  So there!  I got it from home AND school; there was no running away from it.  The bar was set very high at the Convent.  There were a number of incentives provided to students…positive reinforcement, but just as well were there severe consequences for what I’ll refer to as infractions. (Smiling)

 

My experience there taught me about the power of relationships and networking.  It is an all-female institution, and many of my classmates would agree that it nurtured a sisterhood which transcends loose adolescent ties.  I was surrounded by the best and the brightest minds, competition was palpable, and I was always driven to achieve in those ‘hallowed walls’ as they are referred to in the school’s anthem.

 

Lovee: It definitely worked in your favor. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who challenge and empower us to do and be our best. It’s imperative! It’s the only way we can truly reach our full potential and realize our greatness. What do you value most about the education system in the Caribbean?

 

Tesa:  The intricate weaving of diligence and achievement – that’s what I value most about the fabric of our education system.  There is no quick fix, no ‘cracker jack box’ diploma or degree.   Students are expected to work hard, think critically, and write intelligently and creatively, and yes, commit things to memory.  There are no cheat sheets, extra credit opportunities, or review sheets of what’s coming on the exam.  Everything is fair game, why?  Because it’s all important!  Of course, different components have different degrees of relevance, but important nonetheless.

 

Lovee: Well said. I think I will be quoting you in the future with those words. (Smiling) And having gone through all the ranks of education, now a professor, what do you think we need to improve on overall?

 

Tesa:   I think we need to cultivate an environment of innovation in the classroom, and to reward students for being creative.  I think sometimes students get overly consumed with becoming sponges in unfiltered data pools.  Sometimes the assessment methods used in our education system encourage students to simply regurgitate material acquired from documented sources, rather than apply that data appropriately to consider practical applications and form policy implications.  I think we need to encourage our students to complement the lenses of their learning microscopes with those of ‘macroscopes’ – the big picture!   We need to nurture the inherent curiosity among our students rather than suppress it with the status quo.

 

Lovee: Ahhhh…brilliant! I know my friend, CXC registrar, Dr Didacus Jules will be reading this interview, and I’m sure he will appreciate your sentiments. I asked because he and I are constantly brainstorming about ways in which we can connect with the youth and make learning fun. How do you make learning interesting for your students?

 

Tesa:  Students like to feel empowered, they appreciate guidance, but they are motivated when they have some degree of ownership in their educational experience.  You can spend countless hours developing an amazing lesson plan which involves you dictating in front of the classroom all day long, or you can get their input.  I believe that learning becomes fun when it becomes relevant.  It has to matter to them, to their personal lives, professional ambitions; it just has to matter.  Content – that’s the first thing.  The next is pedagogical approach.  I think as educators, we have to determine what they consider to be ‘fun’.

 

A few years ago, my colleague Dr. Linda Ghent and I led a study abroad program to Barbados, where our students were able to make things relevant.  They weren’t all Economics majors, in fact, only two of them were.  We had Education majors, Photo-journalism majors, Political Science, Nursing, and Foreign Language majors.  Built into the curriculum was the opportunity for them to perform comparative studies in their respective fields.  They got to interact with peers across the Atlantic with similar field interests, but in many cases totally different approaches to achieving end goals, and that made the course material and their unique experiences relevant.

 

Many of my classes involve student role playing.  They’ve been CEOs of major corporations, government officials, disgruntled consumers or employees, production managers, mediators, and the list goes on.  I also find myself using more media in the classroom.  I have YouTube playlists dedicated to specific courses.  Students love when you break the monotony of class lectures.  They want to learn from people’s experiences.  They want our theories to be validated by other authorities in the field, or better yet by the experiences of everyday folk like themselves.  Then, it becomes relevant and memorable, and applicable, and then yes, you guessed it – fun!

 

Dr. Tesa E. Leonce with her students on their graduation day

 

Lovee: I think you better get started on that book soon my friend; you have some innovative and brilliant ideas. You are now an Adjunct Professor at Eastern Illinois University. Did you always want to become a professor? What made you decide to pursue that path?

 

Tesa:  I didn’t start off wanting to become a professor.  I was either going to return to the corporate setting or work at a major think tank or policy institution.  Again, I wanted to be relevant and I wanted to impact lives.  That was one of the reasons I had pursued an internship as a graduate student with the United Nations Secretariat in 2005.  I worked with the Office for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Countries, and Small Island States.  It was a very rewarding experience.  However, as I progressed with my doctoral program, I got more engaged in the world of academia.

 

Actually, I never assumed adjunct status; I started off as Tenure-track faculty in 2007 after I completed my doctoral studies that year.  The official title in the US ranking is Assistant Professor.  Although I tend to remain private about these things Lovee, I will tell you that less than 24 hours ago, I got the official letter from the university authorities confirming that I was awarded Tenure, and will now be promoted to Associate Professor status, effective fall 2013.    Yay! It really is a big deal in the world of academia mostly because of the job security and other perquisites it provides.  For me, it’s simply another springboard for the next jump! (Smiling)

 

Lovee: CONGRATULATIONS! YES, THAT IS HUGE! (Smiling) BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR A YOUNG WOMAN AS YOURSELF! I GOT GOOSEBUMPS WHEN YOU SAID THAT! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! SO PROUD! GO SAINT LUCIA! (Smiling) I’m sure Sister Claire will be smiling too. Once you graduated from University, was the transition into the work place a difficult one? Was it difficult finding employment?

 

Tesa: Thank you so much, Lovee!  Girl, all things are possible with God.  I’m still thanking Him for the times when He told me “Relax, I’ve got this”(smiling).

 

2007 was a good year in the US Labor Market.  It was the calm before the storm.  I had decided to pursue the professor route, and there is a clearly defined system in Economics.  Universities would post openings from July or August.  To give yourself the best shot at landing the job that next fall, application packets had to be out to prospective employers by September, a full year in advance.  The interview calls would come in towards the end of November, and campus fly-outs for the short-listed candidates took place in January – February, with final offers made in March.  I was fortunate to have secured over twenty interviews with several reputable institutions that year.

 

Eastern Illinois University had mastered the ‘game’, they interviewed early to increase their chances of securing their top candidates.  I can never be sure if I was their first pick, but I was so happy to have received the job offer in February of that year.  The transition was relatively smooth; I had now assumed a leading role in the learning experience of others.  I work with a great group of colleagues, so it makes for a good working environment.

 

Lovee: People know greatness when they see it. And you are great, and you deserve nothing but the best. You know, the road to success is not a smooth or easy one. I know that there will be young people reading this wondering what were some of the challenges you faced on your journey, and how you overcame them. Would you like to share any of them with us?

 

Dr. Tesa E Leonce making time to have  some fun also in Barbados

 

Tesa:  Challenges – where do I begin?! (Smiling)  Let me preface my response by saying they are inevitable.  One of the big challenges for me was coming to terms with the fact that everyone around you is not necessarily there to embrace you or your successes.  Sometimes you just to put on your big-girl shoes and charge right on.  I left home to pursue undergraduate studies at Midwestern State University when I was 19 years old, young and somewhat impressionable.  Having to navigate life – ranging from basic day-to-day housekeeping factors, career paths, to even relationship choices – was challenging.  My own complacency in some areas was a challenge, and dealing with failure was particularly difficult for me because I got used to the initial success.

 

Lovee: Ahhhh…Those Aha moments! We’ve all been there, and we will continue to have those moments. C’est Lavie (Smiling) But, they really place everything in perspective though, and in the end, all we can do is be thankful, because it strengthens our core, it makes us better, with some added humility, which is always a good thing. What advice would you give to anyone with a dream or goal faced with obstacles and challenges?

 

Tesa:  I would tell them what my dissertation advisor, Dr. Jason Shogren, would tell me, “Keep going”.  Every time I came up on another hurdle, he maintained that consistent coaching line.  It was simple, but effective.  You have to be motivated by something or someone meaningful, that way the medal always makes the race worthwhile.  I would also tell them what my mom would tell me, “pray, and then work hard”.  Then I would end with my advice, failure does not mean the end, it’s another shot at a new beginning.  You know, come to think of it, I may actually be paraphrasing something I read in your book “A Girl Like Me”.  I’m almost certain of it now.

 

Lovee: Yes! Keep going, my wise friend Freddie’s words to me always. Life will throw some really tough challenges and situations our way, but we have to keep going. It’s the only way. What advice would you give to the youth about success?

 

Tesa: Demand it from yourselves.  Sometimes, we can be our own setback.  Don’t gauge your success against mediocrity; always look to the people who have surpassed your achievements by leaps and bounds, because success is always relative.  If your success doesn’t drive you to achieve the next big thing, then it will be relegated to transient accolades in a world with a disturbingly short attention span.  Keep going!  Complacency feeds mediocrity.

 

Lovee:  Ditto!  Very well said! I always say, you can’t demand from others what you don’t demand from yourself.  You often hear people say I want/expect this and that from others, but are YOU all of those things? What we demand from others, must be a reflection of us. SET THAT BAR HIGH! An idle mind is truly a devils workshop. It’s scary. It’s very important that we surround ourselves with people with a sense of purpose. People who are so busy in their own lives, with their own goals, that they have little time for anything else. As you continue on your journey, what is the ultimate goal? Where do you see yourself in let’s say ten years? Apart from globe-trotting of course, (Laughing out loud)

 

 

Tesa:  I agree with you wholeheartedly!  Well, when I’m not trying to follow YOUR footsteps across the globe Lovee –Lol – I try to think ahead.  I’m definitely a Type A ‘kinda gal’ (this is the Texas and Wyoming influence).  My ultimate goal is two-fold: to be fulfilled and to impact positively.  I’ll start with the easy part…I would certainly love to progress professionally.  I would love to advance in academia with respect to my research and scholarship, and ultimately climb up the administrative rungs to the position of President at a reputable university.  Hey, I’m taking my own advice – aim high!  I would love to have formulated a system of paying it forward and empowering our youth.  But you know Lovee, at the end of the day, I still return to family.  I would love to be married and nurturing a family of my own.  I’m still traditional in that sense.  Lovee, you know I’m really private about my personal life, but let’s just say I’ve been making strides in that area– wish me luck! LOL.  I would love to be in a position where I can care for my parents comfortably.  I hope to be embracing my forties, instead of fearing them…lol.  I think these are all attainable.

 

Lovee: From your lips to God’s ears! It will all happen for you my friend. Inshallah! Any plans on returning home (Saint Lucia) one day?

 

Tesa:  I get that question a lot; that will be determined by several factors – family commitments, employment opportunities, unanticipated priority reshuffling. I can’t say definitively that I will resume full residency at home.  What I can say is that I plan to play an active role in the development of, not only St. Lucia, but the Caribbean region.  The most natural route for me would be via education.   I believe education empowers.  I would like to work with policy makers to make higher education more accessible to our youth.  So many of them are competent and possess academic drive and career dreams; however, they lack financial capital.  We need to address this problem in St. Lucia and the region, we need to develop solutions.  My former employer and mentor, Mr. Lisle Chase, and his colleague Dr. Stephen King recently approached me about getting involved in a proposal that is already on the table designed to tackle this very concern.  The plans are still in the preliminary stages, but I hope to pursue something along those lines.

 

Lovee: Indeed. Love your reflections.  No matter what you decide, your light will shine wherever you go, and I know that Saint Lucia is proud and honored to have you as one of its own. I also know that God will continue to use you to make a difference in the lives of all you meet. And I must say again, thank you for always being supportive of me and my work. It meant so much to me when you flew in and attended my first book launch in Florida. I can never express enough how much it meant to me. And you were one of the first people to give a review of my book, a good one at that, and it meant so much. We truly never know how in our own unique way we can inspire someone and change their lives, so again, thank you for being a light in my life and in the lives of so many. Continue to soar and be an example to us all. God bless.

 

Dr. Tesa E. Leonce and Loverly Sheridan at the author’s launching of her book “A Girl Like Me.”

 

Tesa: It was truly a pleasure, Oprah – I’m sorry – I mean Lovee (smiling)!  You really do have the gift of communicating, and you do it well.  You choose to inspire, and that unselfish charm is hard to ignore.  Congrats to you on all your achievements.  Its been a whirlwind of amazing moments for you, and I will always be in the cheering section.  I promised I would be there, wherever that first book launch was going to be, I would not have missed it!  What a great story you continue to tell, Lovee.

 

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be featured as one of your “Loverly People”.  It’s an honor really.  I hope my story inspires someone out there to spring into action to achieve his or her goals.  By God’s grace, keep going!

 

Lovee:  I am sure it will. It is my honor and  pleasure. Thank you for those inspiring words. God bless.