Our Young Professional this week Kimberly A. Herbert comes across as intelligent, determined yet humble and approachable as she seeks to elevate herself higher along the path to becoming one of the best qualified social workers in the Territory. Photo: VINO

Born to parents Kurtney Herbert of the Virgin Islands and Arletta Emmanuel-Bickerton from St Lucia, the 19 year old who seems wise beyond her teen years exudes a quiet confidence, not drawing attention to herself but knowing what needs to be done and going about it resolutely. Photo: Provided

Kimberly represented the Virgin Islands at the Miss Earth Pageant in Manila Philippines. Photo: Provided

“My plan is to go to Georgia State University very soon to pursue a degree in social work which is what I plan to do and come back to the BVI being the best qualified social worker,” she said. “I do plan to also get my Master’s Degree in Social Work and I also plan to work while I am studying in the United States to gain experience so that when I come back to the BVI I could excel in that area,” she said. Photo: Provided

Kimberly is the reigning Miss Earth BVI having been crowned at the last Pageant in 2013. There was no Miss Earth BVI Pageant for 2014. Photo: Provided

“My advice to the youths would be never let someone tell you that you cannot do something because once you put your mind to it you can do anything you aspire to do,” said our Young Professional. Photo: Provided

Born to parents Kurtney Herbert of the Virgin Islands and Arletta Emmanuel-Bickerton from St Lucia, the 19 year old who seems wise beyond her teen years exudes a quiet confidence, not drawing attention to herself but knowing what needs to be done and going about it resolutely.

She is also the Miss Earth BVI 2013 and currently she is an intern at the Complaints Commission. She said she is enjoying learning about the various laws of the Territory and about Government systems in her internship.

“Here at the Complaints Commission we deal with complaints so sometimes I help out with investigations, getting information, so it is very informative and being here has taught me a lot,” said our Young Professional.

Describing herself as a B average student in school, Our Young Professional attended the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School up to Class Two, then she transferred to St Georges Primary School. She is a graduate of the St Georges Secondary School and she attended the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) for two years studying Humanities.

“I was a very good student…very well behaved. I was always a B average student. Throughout my whole academic life my favourite subject in both Primary School and High School would have been Social Studies. I really enjoyed Social Studies and learning about different aspects of people's live’ which ties into why I want to be a social worker,” she said.

The young lady believes her stint at HLSCC was a good introduction for getting her into learning how college life is expected to be and getting used to the basic and fundamental rigours of tertiary education.

“My plan is to go to Georgia State University very soon to pursue a degree in social work which is what I plan to do and come back to the BVI being the best qualified social worker,” she said.

“I do plan to also get my Master’s Degree in Social Work and I also plan to work while I am studying in the United States to gain experience so that when I come back to the BVI I could excel in that area,” she said.

Kimberly spoke of the impact participating in Miss Earth has had on her as she had to focus heavily on many current environmental issues affecting the Territory. She is concerned about the ongoing littering in the Territory and the risks it poses because of the release of toxic wastes which is bad not only for the environment, but also for people’s health.

“The main focus of Miss Earth is environmental awareness and being an advocate for environmental issues allows you to become sort of a leader, to take charge in trying to get people to understand and educate people on these issues. So the role of a leader is taken up and it is something that would help me in the future with work, with school, with anything,” she said.

She said that because the organisers were unable to have a Miss Earth BVI show in 2014, Herbert held on to the crown she won in 2013.

“I am very proud to be representing for two years. I have been able to experience a lot during the two years. I have been given the opportunity to travel, I have been to Guyana for the Miss Jamzone International Pageant, also I have been to the Miss Earth International Pageant which was held in Manila Philippines,” she said.

“It was a remarkable experience and I enjoyed every second of it. It is really good networking opportunities and you make friendships that last a lifetime,” she said.

Our Young Professional is a member of the Retract Club Road Town. “I joined it from InterAct and then I moved up to RotarAct. I really love their community service…I enjoy giving back to my community and doing things that make people smile. I am also a Big Sister in the BVI Youth Mentorship Programme and it is great opportunity to make a positive change in a young person’s life just by being there for that person, being a friend, a guide, a motivator, a mentor, everything,” she said.

“My advice to the youths would be never let someone tell you that you cannot do something because once you put your mind to it you can do anything you aspire to do,” said our Young Professional.

She concluded by speaking her favourite quote, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt.