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This week we feature Young Professional Sharie B. Y. de Castro
Whenever she is asked by someone, “How much (money) do teachers make?” Sharie de Castro always responds by saying, “We make a difference.” The importance of this very concise, yet pointed reply can never be overstated.
In our day to day lives, it is always important that we become agents of change, a concept Ms. de Castro firmly believes in. The opportunity to be instrumental in effecting change, especially in young people, can be considered one of her basic tenets of life.
Sharie, the recently crowned Miss British Virgin Islands 2012, has always been a high achiever and usually sets her sights to tremendous heights. One example of this is her challenge to herself during the pageant to accomplish the feat of learning to play the violin. This she felt was “like learning who you are.” It was a considerably challenging experience since it took her completely out of her comfort zone. But this is proof of her belief that life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
She did not disappoint with her display on pageant night, showing tremendous poise and resolve in performing an aptly titled, “(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow", one of the many songs from the soundtrack of the film, The Wizard of Oz. The Theme of Oz was used quite splendidly during her talent piece to represent a loss of moral and cultural values in the Virgin Islands society today. If only a click of her red heels could resolve those issues then things would be so much better here.
The 21 year old Virgin Islander is a pageant queen who exhorts the qualities of academic excellence, culture, community service and sisterhood. This, she notes is reflected by her membership in organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Order of Omega and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated; all joined during her undergraduate studies in English at Texas Christian University.
The English teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School explains, “Teaching in itself, just being able to reach young people through education,” is fulfillment enough for her. Education, she believes, is essentially the foundation of any country.
Although being in the classroom is one of her loves, she would however eventually like to be in a position to effect lasting institutional changes, particularly in terms of curriculum and educational policies. Her success at this year’s Miss BVI pageant certainly bodes well in that regard, as one of her prizes won was a scholarship to complete a Master’s Degree. This she noted would most likely be done in the area of Education.
Being the devout poet that she is, Sharie has a keen sense of urgency and anticipation in “publishing [her] first book of poetry and producing [her] first CD of original spoken word poetry” which she hopes would be completed by December of this year.
Her love and command for the art of poetry has led to her receiving the nickname “The Watchman,” a title she humbly, yet admirably carries in her duties as a minister of poetry at the New Life Baptist Church. Here, she has successfully spearheaded three productions over the past three years in the BVI; portraying ministry through the arts: song, dance, instrumental and in particular her very own poetry. Sharie is very passionate about God and is always grateful for the opportunity to be a light for others because she believes that “as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Ms. de Castro bemoans the fact that even though the standard practice is for persons to go to the expert of a particular field when in need of knowledge, “we tend to forget that when we want to know about youth, and what they feel, and what they want… we should talk to them.” Therefore, the youth are steadily becoming her main focus she adds. Noting that “just being able to speak to them, hearing what their concerns and hopes are for their future in the BVI and being able to work along with them to help them to achieve their goals” are all a part of this process.
People, she says, believe that banks are the wealthiest places. Sharie disagrees, I believe that graveyards are, she says. There are so many unconvinced potential, unfulfilled dreams and undiscovered inventions buried in the hearts and minds of the dead that the world will never get a glimpse of. Thus, her biggest goal in life is to leave this earth empty.
The young queen is not only committed to unlocking her own potential, but as a Secondary English Teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School, she has become a facilitator, helping students to accomplish their goals, dreams and aspirations as well. “I encourage them every day to dream with their eyes wide open.”
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