Claudette A. Newton
I AM WHO I AM
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
~ Marianne Williamson
THE BEGINNING
On the 27th of August 1988, on the beautiful island of Nassau Bahamas; the late Hon. Clyde Alex LLB and Paulette Poitier- Newton were blessed by the warmth of the angels with the birth of their first child, a beautiful bouncing baby girl. Although Clyde and Paulette had agreed to name their new little miracle Alexia Elaine Newton, the overwhelm yet tipsy Clyde left Paulette's side in the labor room, with the new born securely snuggled in Paulette's arms, to sign the birth certificate, naming the little miracle Claudette Alexis Newton in the process. To me, it sounds like my daddy had this planned all along. How classic!
Not long after her birth, all knew Claudette Alexis as “Little Miss Prissy.” A phrase that still follows her today. In fact, Claudette was so prissy that many called her the Duchess of Bletchley. Beside being brought up by well-rounded parents, one of the reason why Claudette Alexis was referred to as "Little Miss Prissy was due to the fact that Claudette Alexis spend her early years in England while her father, the late Hon. Clyde Newton was studying law at the University of Buckingham.
SCHOOL CAREER
St. Francis & St. Joseph Catholic Primary School
Attended: 1993-2000 (Pre-K - Grade 6)
Location: Boydd Rd. Nassau, Bahamas
It is here at this prestigious primary school that I, as an individual became more grounded and stone-set to the idea of "I am who I am.” It is here that my personality began to define itself, and I am happy to say, I am the same Claudette Alexis; prissy, giddy, motivated, sophisticated, emotional, and down-to earth. At St. Francis & St. Joseph Catholic Primary School, besides making my friends laugh, I was extremely focused on my schoolwork, which was justified repeatedly with honors. It was here, that I knew Biology would assist me in my fate to come. Besides being an honor student at this prestigious school, I was also recognized for my athletic capability. I was extremely active in track and field, which happens to be my all time favorite sport. I took part in many organized track events, which entail representing my house team, my school, and even my island! During this chapter in my life, track and field had become my life. I began to eat, sleep, and read the track. I guess my long skinny legs paid off for something after all! In track and field, I participated in long distance running, the 800m being my specialty, cross-country running, long jump, and triple jump. At St. Francis & St. Joseph Catholic Primary School, I met most of my friends who all followed me throughout my high school years. Needless to say, these friends are still very close. To add on to my athletic career, during this period, I was a part of Dolphins, a renowned swim organization, that has represented our country repetitively well. St. Francis & St. Joseph has definitely help mold me into the person that I am today.
St. Augustine's College
Attended: 2000-2006 (Grade 7 - Grade 12)
Location: Bernard Rd. Nassau, Bahamas
Most of my fondest memories were created at St. Augustine's College and I left behind many good friends when I decided to walk into the gates of my college career. At St. Augustine's College, once again, I was extremely focused in my books, which resulted in graduating with honors. Athletically, I was extremely active during my high school career. I toke part in basketball, softball, swimming and track and field. During this chapter of my life, I was also apart of Student Council Board, The Drama Club, The Year Book Club, and Step Team. I guess you can call me "The All around High School Girl"! One sport that I enjoyed tremendously at my high school was a hiking program by the name of GGYA (Governor's General Youth Association). During my participation in GGYA, I developed important survival skills, contributed valuable service to the community, participated in physical recreation activities, and embarked upon adventurous expeditions - all in a common goal of achieving the Bronze, Silver Award. I never had the guts to complete my Gold.
Elmira College
Attended: 2006-current (Four Year Program)
Location: One Park Place, Elmira New York
At Elmira College, I am Biology major. I am a junior at the college and my anticipated graduation date will be May 2010. At Elmira College, I have met many genuine and unique people, which include peers and teachers. The friends that I have met at this popular yet small-knitted school are friends that I would like to stay in contact with throughout my life. One of the reasons why I chose to attend Elmira College was because my father, the late Hon. Clyde Newton LLB attended Elmira College. I guess you can say that I wanted to live up to the family legacy. During my sophomore year, I was apart of Elmira College Cheerleading Team and my experience with the cheerleading team was a great one. Many people would not consider cheerleading as a sport. However, in my opinion, it is. Yes, the history of cheerleading entailed simply entertaining and hyping up the spectators; oh, let us not forget looking like Barbie dolls but cheerleading has evolved greatly. Cheerleading has become more physical, competitive and surprisingly, cheerleading has the highest rate of injuries in college and high school female sports. The Oxford dictionary defines the word "sport" as "physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively” in which cheerleading demonstrates. Furthermore, according to the Women's Sports Foundation, the criteria of what they base a sport on (define as a sport) are met by the cheerleading of today's society. The criteria are as follow:
- A physical activity which involves propelling a mass through space or overcoming the resistance of a mass
- A contest or competition against or with an opponent * Is governed by rules which explicitly define the time, space and purpose of the contest and the conditions under which a winner is declared
The acknowledged primary purpose of the competition is a comparison of the relative skills of the participants What is Cheerleading? With the criteria above in mind, is the primary purpose of cheerleading to compete? Well, presently no. The majority of cheerleading squads do not participate in any competitions. Their sole purpose is to entertain, motivate, and unite spectators of other athletic teams that are competing. Cheerleading is most often defined as the "Act of leading organized cheering, as at sports events."
Besides sports organizations on campus, I also take part in other organizations the college has to offer, such as Beta Beta Beta Honor Society, Dorm Council 2008-2009, Extreme Eagles 2006-2008, and The Chiclettes, a female choir. Like the typical college student, money does not come easy thus, I have a job on campus at the college's library, and throughout my college career thus far, I have had many. Elmira College is a fascinating organization and being a typical college student that is simply just trying to survive in a world call college, Elmira college, whether it be interacting with people, academics or campus jobs has definitely ground me for something no man wants to face, "The Real World".
CAREER GOAL
As long as I could remember, I always wanted to engage myself in a profession that entailed myself making a difference in someone's life while also getting my hands dirty. As previously mentioned, I knew Biology would determine my fate. So, can you guess what field I would like to be in? If you guessed medicine than you are correct! After graduation at Elmira College, I do plan on furthering my educational career as a Medical Student in pursuit of obtaining an M.D. as wells as specializing in Cardiology. Cardiology is a science that has always grasps my interest and passion. After all, the world can never get enough of "heart menders.” Growing up, my father always called me his baby doctor and so, as I grew up, I always believed that being a doctor was a profession that would represent who I am and what I love doing, which is making a difference in others' lives. Although my father decided my fate for me, I did not mind, simply because I am in love with science. On May 24, 2005, my father died from a massive heart attack. It was then and there that I promised myself that I would become Cardiologist. Did you know that heart disease is the leading killer in America as well as in The Bahamas? If I continue to pursue a career in Cardiology, not only will I make a difference in someone's life, but I will also make a difference within my country thus opening the gate for many female Bahamians. Meaning that, I will be the first Bahamian female Cardiologist in the history of medicine within The Bahamas. So having said that, wish me luck!
MY PROFILE
NAME: Claudette Alexis Newton
AGE: 20
ZODIAC SIGN: VIRGO
LIKES: video games, shopping, singing, acting, reading, sleeping, traveling, pizza, and the beach.
DISLIKES: arguments, gloomy days, predictable movies and books.
DREAM: To become the next Oprah in terms of charity-wise.
PERSONALITY: goofy, down to earth, sophisticated, emotional, happy, hyper but also lazy
GOAL: To become a Cardiologist in hopes of saving lives.
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Color Purple
FAVORITE BOOK: Bluest Eyes by Torri Morrison
FAVORITE DISH: Guava Duff
FAVORITE COLOR: green
FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC: Culture and Rake 'n' Scrape
FAVORITE ARTIST: Will Smith
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Words of wisdom
Women will change the nature of power, rather than power changing the nature of women.
A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.
I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.