Tonya S. Vanterpool is our Young Professional this week. She is undergoing studies to become an accounting professional. Photo: Provided

Our Young Professional at her Golden Key International Honour Society Induction at the University of Central Florida. Photo: Provided

Tonya S. Vanterpool has always been an accomplished and high achieving student. Photo: Provided

With her team members (Golden Achievers) at the UCF College of Business Cornerstone Entrepreneurial Competition - "We were semi-finalists," said Tonya S. Vanterpool. Photo: Provided

Tonya said that among her greatest concerns for her community is protecting the future of the youths and equipping them with the necessary skills needed to succeed in life whether academically or professionally. Photo: Provided

Her resume is indeed an impressive one as she displayed academic excellence throughout her schooling and is on her way to distinguishing herself professionally in her chosen career path, a fine exemplar for those looking up to her.

“I grew up on the beautiful island of Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands and was born on Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands,” Tonya stated in an interview with Virgin Islands News Online.

She said that her early childhood was “a great and memorable one” and that she was surrounded by a huge family circle whom she said all looked forward to her birth as she was the first granddaughter for her grandfather.

Her educational foundation began at the Little Rainbow Pre-School in Virgin Gorda. “From there, I began to shine academically. As I entered primary school at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, I have always been named on the Honour Roll List,” she said.

Tonya, whose favorite subjects were Mathematics and Social Studies, graduated as the Salutatorian of her graduating class in 2005.

“Upon graduation in 2005, I entered into the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division at 11 years old. For my entire five year tenure at BFEC, I was on the Principle’s Honour Roll and wore a special uniform every Friday,” she said.

Tonya said that her high school experience was certainly a great one. “I enjoyed classes such as Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish, Biology and Food and Nutrition. In my senior high school years, I found a love for English and English Literature,” said Tonya.

Graduating in the top five of her high school graduating class in 2010, Tonya opted to prepare for and sit nine Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects and was successful in all of them.

“I attended the Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College for two years and graduated in June 2012 as Summa Cum Laude, a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society with an Associates of Science in Business Administration,” she said.

“I then began my academic journey abroad first at Florida International University and later at the University of Central Florida and I have made Dean’s List honours at these institutions,” she said.

Tonya explained that her motivation for going abroad to study were her parents, Grace and Garnet Vanterpool and her entire family circle who wanted her to continue her education.

“In addition, I knew that an Associate’s degree wouldn’t be enough for me to progress in my desired career and I am always seeking for additional knowledge. Furthermore, because of my academic accomplishments throughout high school, I was awarded an international scholarship by the Government of the Virgin Islands for which I am thankful,” she said.

Tonya said attending university overseas has definitely changed her perception of life “because I realized that there is no mommy, daddy, sister or aunty to help you. I had to learn to put my trust in God, grow up, focus on school, manage my own money and face my problems like an adult.”

In terms of her career, our Young Professional said her first goal is to become an Accountant.

“Later, I aspire to work my way up and become a Senior Auditor whether in the public or private sector and eventually become qualified to hold a managerial position within the field of Accounting, specifically to become an Accounting Manager,” said Tonya.

She said her aim is to move on to graduate studies since she plans to become a Certified Public Accountant, obtain her ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) or become a Certified Internal Auditor. “In the future, I do plan to undertake graduate studies either at my current university, University of Central Florida or online where I hope to obtain a Masters in Management,” she said to this news site.

“Currently, I am an Audit Intern and I certainly enjoy this aspect of Accounting, thus my reason for wanting to become a Senior Auditor later in my career. As an intern, I enjoy the reconciliation process, although it may be a challenge at times, it gives me great joy when I am able to successfully complete reconciling,” she said.

Our Young Professional is also active in sports and has engaged in a number of sporting disciplines. “In the past, I have played volleyball, softball, basketball and I also did Track & Field while I was in high school,” said Tonya.

In addition, she is actively involved in many organizations, especially at her alma mater.

“Before I moved away, I served as the Treasurer for the Valley Sound Leo Club in Virgin Gorda and although I am unable to be a part of the executive board because I am away to school, I am actively involved on every holiday break,” she said.

“At my university, I am currently the President of Golden Key International Honour Society and the Secretary of National Association of Black Accountants. In addition to these organizations, I am a proud member of the Caribbean Students Association at UCF where I served as one of the fundraising committee chairpersons. I also was an executive board member of the Lake Claire Area Council and served as the Secretary of Golden Key before I became President,” she said.

Tonya said that through these organisations she has been able to give back to the community of Orlando, Florida, USA.

“Through these organizations, I have been able to give back to my Orlando community and I participated in events such as ‘Knights Give Back’ which is a full day where UCF Knights volunteer at different areas,” said Tonya.

Asked what her advice is to young people in school or who have left school and deciding on a career, she said, “My advice to the young people…is to take advantage of the opportunities our beautiful Virgin Islands has to offer.”

She said that they should get involved in various organizations to begin molding themselves into great leaders. “For young people who have left school and are now deciding on a career, my advice to you would definitely be follow your dreams and choose a career that you love. Remember you will always have critics and persons trying to put you down, refocus that negative energy into positive energy and never allow persons to create your path. Be humble and be yourself,” she said.

Tonya said that among her greatest concerns for her community is protecting the future of the youths and equipping them with the necessary skills needed to succeed in life whether academically or professionally.

“To help address this, I can certainly see myself offering tutoring services for primary school students and even look into creating a writing centre where students can come in and be offered assistance with their essays and end of term papers,” she said.

“In addition, I acknowledge the fact that many persons in my community needed assistance with their resumes and how to successfully go through the interview process, thus, this Saturday in Virgin Gorda I collaborated with Ms. Emily-Ann Grant to host a workshop called ‘Sell Yourself Successfully!’ - Interview and Resume Building/Personal Development Workshop 2014 and it will include sessions such as Interview Do’s and Don’ts, Resume Writing/Building and a critique session, career planning and much more” she said.

“I strongly believe that to see our entire territory strive, we all must 'Be the change that you wish to see in the world.' – My favourite quote from Mahatma Gandhi,” said Tonya s. Vanterpool.