Dwayne Brown is from Jamaica and currently a student at Brooklyn College, USA
“My future shall never be dark and full of regrets but filled with good times and tones of success stories.”
Dwayne Brown
“To think big and to use our talents doesn’t mean we won’t have difficulties along the way. We will. We all do. How we view these problems, determines how we end up. Successful people don’t have fewer problems. They have decided that nothing will stop them from moving forward.” – Taken from ‘Gifted Hands’ written by Ben Carson.
As cliché as this might sound, these powerful words written by Ben Carson have served to be my mantra for years. I can now say with absolute indubitability that who I am now resulted from determination, confidence and simply because I have never failed to ‘THINK BIG.’
I grew up in a small community called Lilliput in rural Jamaica and though I called there home, I have never once thought I was only confined to that one territory. Instead, I always knew that life for me did not have to come to a halt in my community but that I could break away like an eagle and make a change. As a child I had big dreams and like most people, I had a craving for what we consider the ‘finer’ things in life. My own reality though was much different and though it would have been unfair to call myself poor, I was cognizant of the fact that we were not rich. Technically, I never really experience what it was like to live in a nuclear family and although my parents were happily married, my dad was away most of the times. When I was three, he left Jamaica to work on a cruise ship so he could support the family. Sadly, even until today that has been our source of income for years. As a child I could never understand why he had to be away most of the times and so growing up without him was painful, not only for me but my entire family. Every year he would leave for six months to work and then return for two months vacation and then back to the sea again. Oh how we would rejoice when he came home on vacation and we made sure every minute was well spent. We would rekindle that father-son bond, talk about my progress over the six months of him being away and before I knew it, he was gone again. I never really got to know my father really well and even until today I am still learning new things about him. However, one thing I do know is that he loves me. I know that a big part of why he is still working with that company is to give me that education he never had the privilege to get.
That is why I cannot help but feel guilty sometimes. I know for sure that one sweet day I will pick up from where he started and to repay him for his many years of hard work. In essence, that is why I fail to settle for mediocrity but to constantly excel at whatever I do at all times.
During my five years at the William Knibb High School in Jamaica I performed well academically. Not only was I getting good grades but I was involved in almost every extra curricular activities. From the nationally renowned choir to Speech and Drama Club, my presence was always felt. Upon entering high school I was very timid and I lacked confidence. However, my involvement in these extra curricular activities helped to radiate this confidence I had hidden inside of me and soon everyone saw my potential to become the next Head Boy. To my surprise I was chosen and like a true hero I performed all task that was thrown at me. I must confess that it was a bumpy ride but I knew that my job was to serve the school population.
Maybe that’s why I was so emotional at graduation because I knew that William Knibb High School had equipped me with the skills I needed to open that next chapter of my life. That same year, I went to one of the most prestigious all male institution in Jamaica (Cornwall College) to prepare for my A’ level examination. There I spent two years and I must admit that these two years have been one of the greatest and most inspiring times of my life. This is where I met young men who were not just like me but who were determined to carve their own path and soar like eagles and so together we soared towards success.
The Big Decision
Those two years at Cornwall College went by really fast and before we knew it, we were all applying to different Universities. This was where we had to decide which school to apply to and what program to enroll in. Many of my friends decided to attend the University of the West Indies, which is the ivy league of the Caribbean, while a few others chose to take another path. I was one of these few. Even though I had and still have ultimate respect for our own university, I consciously decided I wanted an international experience. It had always been my dream to study overseas and even though I realized that it was a big step to take I was willing to venture into the unknown. I figured that studying in a racially diverse country such as the United States would equip me with the skills needed to interact with people from all ethnicities and backgrounds. The more and more I pondered on which path to take, the more I realized that for me to understand what true equity was I would have to venture out of my country.
I needed to learn how to share a common space with people who came from a completely different background.
Leaving home was possibly the hardest decision I have ever made. Not only was I leaving the people I had grown up with for years but I was entering an unfamiliar territory. I can vividly recall waving my family goodbye at the airport, tears rolling down my already red eyes. It was such a painful period for all of us especially my little sister who I was so close to. I knew my absence would just remind her of dad being away but like a true warrior she reassured me that I would achieve great things.
That was the only inspiration I needed and with courage I waved them goodbye.
Ever since I left home, my life has taken a totally different direction, a very odd, pain staking, yet a fulfilled one. I am in a different part of the world, away from my immediate family. Sometimes when I ponder on those good old days we spent together, I often become nostalgic of the great times we spent together. Of course being in another part of the world the only thing left for me to do is to hold on to those precious memories I have of us as a family. Sadly, that makes it even worst, because sometimes memories are just not good enough.
Anyway, I know that this is a path one has to take at some point in their lives and I am willing to endure it. I fight to make myself and the people around me proud. I seek at all times wisdom to counteract all negative force that tries to stop my progress. Now, the whole idea of missing my family has now been put behind me and I will go ahead in the future and pick out my destiny. My future shall never be dark and full of regrets but filled with good times and tones of success stories. I fail to subject my self, my body and mind to any superior force. If there ever will be a superior force, it will always be me because the world is in my hands. I love a challenge. I love to sweat for success. I love to move away from the norm and to carve my own path because that is the only way I can be true to myself. Originality is me. After all, there is nothing wrong with trying to become a hero.
Today, I am a Junior at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York with a 4.0 GPA. Of course, I could never have paid this tuition from my pocket. Thankfully, with the assistance of three generous organizations, I now boast three scholarships. One thing that is absolutely certain is that it was never an easy ride. I have stumbled so many times along the way, took so many wrong paths but I managed to safely find my way home. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am no superhero. I do know what it is to fail but one thing I do not know is what it means to continue failing. In retrospect, I have come to realize that the storms I have been through was only there to make me stronger and boastfully I can now say that I am a true Cornwallian because I have now proven that I am a man of might.
Dwayne, I was so pleased when you e-mailed me with this: such a great story. You've worked hard to get your scholarships and get where you are and I wish you all the best for the future.
Hey Dwayne ur story is an inspiration to all of us Cornwallians. I too am inspired and it now gives me the confidence to ace my final exams. Thanks Pinky. Great job!!! Keep up the good work!
Dwayne, Thank you so much for letting me know about this site. I read your story and I am just so overwhelmed with your achievements. Although I am not a teenager anymore, I am truly inspired by this site. I have more confidence that no matter how old one is "Dreams are still achievable". Thank you and you will hear my story soon.
Luv You Dwayne!
I was very pleased to read of all the transitions that took place in your life to make you the driven young man you are. Seems like Cornwall had a great head boy! we'll talk more and thanks for sharing.
u inspire me. keep shining
Dwayne,
Now after reading all these stories I am curious to meet the real people. Are you gonna be in Jamaica for Xmas? Guess what, I will be in Kingston with Shawna! We should meet up and have a party with jerk chicken.