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‎This Week We Feature Young Professional Bjorn J. Caleb

This week's Young Professional is Bjorn J. Caleb A.K.A BeeJay who shared that what defines him as a young aspiring professional is his willingness to learn and follow instructions. Photo: Provided
Apart from his academic qualifications, BeeJay is a solid basketball player who recently represented the Virgin Islands at the CBC Championships here on Tortola. Photo: Provided
Apart from his academic qualifications, BeeJay is a solid basketball player who recently represented the Virgin Islands at the CBC Championships here on Tortola. Photo: Provided
Bjorn (right) makes way as his team-mate battles past two Bayside Blazers players during the 2014 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Bjorn represented Da Third. Photo: VINO/File
Bjorn (right) makes way as his team-mate battles past two Bayside Blazers players during the 2014 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Bjorn represented Da Third. Photo: VINO/File
"My heroes are both my mother June Smith-Bramble and my grandmother Enez Hyndman. Without their persistence and encouragement I would not have gone to college to play basketball. Their work ethics and determination are some the qualities I hope to have when I get older. Growing up they never allowed me or my sisters to see them struggle; whatever I needed when I was away to college they never hesitated to give and never once told me no. And For that I love them dearly and would give my last trying to make them comfortable and happy." Photo: Provided
In the year 2007, Bjorn returned to Tortola where he completed his high school education at the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School in 2009. He was then offered a basketball scholarship to the Clinton Community College where he graduated with a Degree in General Biology. Photo: Provided
In the year 2007, Bjorn returned to Tortola where he completed his high school education at the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School in 2009. He was then offered a basketball scholarship to the Clinton Community College where he graduated with a Degree in General Biology. Photo: Provided
Bjorn is currently a Customs Officer Trainee. Photo: Provided
Bjorn is currently a Customs Officer Trainee. Photo: Provided
Apart from basketball our young professional also enjoys playing the drums. Photo: Provided
Apart from basketball our young professional also enjoys playing the drums. Photo: Provided
By Cathy O. O. Richards

This week's Young Professional is Bjorn J. Caleb aka BeeJay, who shared that what defines him as a young aspiring professional is his willingness to learn and follow instructions. "If I get something wrong the first time I will ensure that I never make that mistake again," he said.

From 1996-2003, Bjorn attended the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School before moving with his mother and two sisters to London, England where he attended the John Loughborough Seventh-day Adventist School.

In the year 2007, he returned to Tortola where he completed his high school education at the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School in 2009. He was then offered a basketball scholarship to the Clinton Community College where he graduated with a Degree in General Biology making Academic All-Region with a 3.5 GPA. He also intends on pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Marine Biology.

Love for marine life

"As for my career path I intend to become a Marine Biologist right here in the BVI," he said. "My reason for choosing this career is my love for marine life. As a young boy growing up around the ocean, I was always fascinated with fish and other marine life that surround our beautiful islands. In 5-10 years I see myself working as a Marine Biologist whether it be tagging turtles or trying to protect our coral reefs."

When asked ‎if there was another field of work that he would choose later in life, he said he would choose to be a member of the mobile task force in the Department of Customs. "I currently hold a position of a Customs Officer Trainee and I really enjoy my job. I am able to learn a lot about our boating, duty, and export/import laws. I have learned a lot from my fellow officers at the station in West End and I would love to continue to learn more about the duties of being a customs officer," he proudly said.

Love for basketball

Apart from his academic qualifications, BeeJay is a very huge basketball enthusiast. He even shared how his love for basketball all started, "Growing up in Freshwater Pond, West End I spent most nights sitting on the side watching my older cousins and friends play basketball. Back then I was too small to play and they often said I would get hurt or just get in their way. I took that very personal and decided to better my skills on my own so I wouldn’t be bored on the side watching. After a few years of playing during the day when nobody was around, I got good enough to play with the big boys. Now often times I’m the first person picked on our local courts in the First District."

From such a humble start his path as a basketball player was paved. "I started really taking basketball serious in Form 4 when I was getting taller than all my classmates. I would just go to the court and stay at the free throw line and shoot hundreds of shots a day. My stepfather Anthony Bramble helped me to develop my shooting form and make it more effective. So effective in fact that I was picked up by a local coach and entered the BVIBA Summer League."

He further stated, "In April 2012, I got a call from Steve Parillon saying that the Clinton Community College has offered me a basketball scholarship after playing in the 'Hoop It Up' showcase. My freshman year I averaged 6.7 Points, 7.3 Rebounds, 1.6 Blocks. I was second in the conference in block shots per game. My sophomore year I averaged 10.6 Points, 9.6 Rebounds, 2.5 Blocks. I was first in my conference in shots blocked per game."

Even after his college days ended Bjorn continued to play basketball because of his love for the sport. "I love to play basketball. Monday through Thursday I can be found on either Carrot Bay or Capoons Bay basketball courts playing basketball. On Sunday mornings I leave home at 6:30am with Ray Victor and travel to the basketball gym in Belle Vue just to play. The games up there are a lot tougher and rougher than at my local courts, and that kind of competition makes me a better player."

This year our young professional represented the BVI in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) tournament, which he said has always been a goal from since his high school days. "It was one of my proudest moments wearing my country's colours and I hope to do it again soon."

'Drummer boy'

But apart from basketball, our young professional also enjoys playing the drums, "On Sundays after I return home from playing ball, I go to drum practice. I am a proud member of the Advent Heart Beatz Drum Corp, and have been such since 2007. I enjoy playing the drums because it allows me to clear my mind of all I have been through during the week and I could just have fun playing my bass/quad drums. My Drum Corp Band leader Kyle Moses has mentored me from a child and instilled qualities such as dedication, hard work, and respect that helped me become the man I am today."

My heroes

Bjorn further went on to share who his heroes are and why. "My heroes are both my mother June Smith-Bramble and my grandmother Enez Hyndman. Without their persistence and encouragement I would not have gone to college to play basketball. Their work ethics and determination are some the qualities I hope to have when I get older. Growing up they never allowed me or my sisters to see them struggle; whatever I needed when I was away to college they never hesitated to give and never once told me no. For that I love them dearly and would give my last trying to make them comfortable and happy."

As customary for our Young Professionals, we asked Bjorn to give his advice to youth on a topic of his choice. Bjorn chose to speak about staying in school. "My main advice would be to stay focused and try to get an education. Without an education you can not get a good job to support yourself as well as your family."

The youth of today should take a page out of the book of young Bjorn J. Caleb and pattern after his determination to be the best at whatever he does. "If I miss something the first time I will do it over numerous times in my spare time until its second nature."

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