Married with two children, Alexia King-Whyte, 27, graduates against all odds

King-Whyte received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies with a Journalism Emphasis at the university’s recent 102^nd Commencement Ceremony held at the institution’s Mandeville location. 

 At the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic, King-Whyte started her studies during what she described as challenging times, as she was not accustomed to learning virtually. The transition she said took a toll on her grades, and she had to work very hard to improve her grade point average (GPA). 

“I did mostly online classes and drove to the main campus in Mandeville for presentations and examinations. During university, I got married to the love of my life and had my second daughter who is now three years old. I remember giving birth the same day I had an examination and I had to do it online but it didn’t affect my grade. My children were never a burden to me, in fact, they were my driving force. There were times that I had to carry my baby with me to classes,” King-Whyte said. 

Her colleagues would often ask how she managed to accomplish so many tasks. “I prayed and asked God for strength to attend classes, do assignments for myself and my eldest daughter, cook, clean, grocery shopping monthly, monitor two children, operate a business and still find time for self-care while my husband was away working overseas. Through sleepless nights, sweat and tears, I managed to be placed on the Cum Laude Honour Roll where I received two medals consecutively and a certificate from the Department of Communication Studies (DCS) as a ‘Gold Scholar’ award,” said the 27-year-old. 

King-Whyte is from the Coates Pen community in Clarendon. She credits her mother for the confidence and determination she displayed while raising her. “My father died when I just started Denbigh High School at 12 years old. I have one sister and was raised by my mother and step-father from the age of four,” she said. 

She didn’t envision that she would become a journalist but she had always liked writing.  Instead, she haboured aspirations of becoming a fashion designer, soldier or a guidance counsellor 

“I started the fashion designing journey when I attended Old Harbour Vocational Training Center (VTC) in 2015 and became a certified fashion designer. Also, I attempted to become a soldier by sitting the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) examinations, passing them, passing the medicals and was about to begin training when I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter who is now seven years old,” King-Whyte said.  

Instead of counselling, she decided to study communication studies because she saw herself being a worthy addition to the communication industry. Additionally, many people she interacted with they believed that she should be working at a radio station because of her vibes and her voice. 

“I am happy I have completed my Bachelors of Arts Degree and sometimes I think about getting a Masters of Arts degree, but when I think about all the research and late-night study, I sometime feels discouraged. However, I will not stop here so I just have to make up my mind and continue on my tertiary journey,” she said. 

Currently King-Whyte works as a Sales Representative for Future Vision Internet System and is a freelance writer for Old Harbour News, both in the parish of St. Catherine. Soon, she hopes to start her own communication brand to positively impact the world.

“Whatever you want in life, you can get it. Make goals and work towards them, pray and ask God for help but you must get up and get going,” she said. “God helps those who help themselves. Never underestimate yourself and keep your eyes on the prize. Nothing in life is easy, I went through a lot of stress throughout university but I didn’t give up because I was determined for my degree.”