This Week We Feature Young Professional Adorya R. Baly
With aspirations of becoming a forensic psychologist, 21 year old Adorya Rocio Baly, our Young Professional for this week has already embarked on that long journey towards fulfilling her dream– to help persons in the territory, especially young people, become empowered and achieve their full potential.
Adorya Rocio Baly, who explained that her name means Adorable Rose, said, “I was named after my grandmother, Adora Malone. I was born in Virginia, United States. However, I grew up and migrated frequently between St Thomas, USVI and Tortola.”
She was born to parents Rodrigue Baly and Geraldine Ritter-Freeman, both of whom come from St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.
Our Young Professional said that her secondary school experience in the Virgin Islands was a great one as it allowed her to see her full potential.
“As a new student at what was then the St George's Secondary School, I obtained status as the first House Captain and Head Girl of the said institution. Also, in what seemed to be a short amount of time, I was able to receive an award for deportment. In 2010, after completing the school leaving examinations, I ranked amongst the top ten at the St George’s Secondary School. Also, I got a distinction from the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC),” she said.
She said that upon receiving a Government scholarship she attended the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College where she was quickly inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
“Both Phi Theta Kappa and the scholarship opportunity played a great role in my life as it provided for me a reason to aim higher always,” she said.
In 2012, she went abroad to study Psychology at Lee University in the United States. “I did hesitate on the thought of going away to school. However, when I received my first 4.0 at the said institution my purpose started to come into perspective. Yes, there were challenges concerning the Caucasian to African American ratio. However, believing that I had a purpose in God increased my strength as the time progressed,” she said.
According to the ambitious young woman, she chose to study Psychology because she observed a lack of extracurricular activities and role models for the young women of the BVI when compared to neighbouring St Thomas. “There didn’t seem to be many adults in the community who displayed a heart for the young people, which is why I will credit the teachers of my secondary institution, especially Mrs Faith-Anne Adams,” she said.
She wants to pursue a career in Forensic Psychology, saying that it is a promising field of study in psychology “that combines both of my interests, law and psychology.”
“I plan to someday open a successful counselling centre in the Virgin Islands as well as introduce new programmes for youth empowerment,” she said.
Our Young Professional said her career at the moment gives her the opportunity to decide whether or not she truly wants to pursue a Master's degree in Psychology.
“I am currently employed with the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority in the Behavioural Health Ward. I enjoy my profession because I am able to mediate between the staff of the unit; interact with patients and observe directly how the mind affects one's present position and future,” she said.
“My Bachelor's degree in Psychology prepared me to think more critically which is why I am able to respond appropriately to both the needs and wants of the patient,” she said.
In her spare time, our Young Professional enjoys volunteering with both Family Support Network and the Rotaract Club of Tortola. “I am a proud Virgin Islander who enjoys giving back to the community that helped to make me who I am,” she declared.
Her advice to young people is, “Education does not only provide opportunities for the individual but it expands your mind to see things that the uneducated person cannot see or experience. Being educated is a choice just like anything else and so I encourage other young people to better themselves whether it be through education or with a skill.”
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