Young Professional Sonjah S. Smith has already done herself and Territory proud in academia and is now seeking to translate that success in the law profession. Photo: Provided

Ms Smith gives lots of credit to her parents Janet Hendricks (2nd from right) and Alwon Smith (left), her brother Rajah Smith (right) and her dear best friend Leisha Armstrong (not in picture), who all attended her recent graduation. Photo: Provided

Already a published Poet, Sonjah S. Smith is a brand new Attorney-at-Law, who recently returned to the Territory from her legal studies which took her to Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Bahamas.

At age 25, Ms Smith holds an Associate’s Degree in Legal Studies, Cum Laude, obtained at the H. L Stoutt Community College/ University of the West Indies, Paraquita Bay Campus; Bachelor of Laws, Upper Second Class Honours, obtained at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus; and a Legal Education Certificate, obtained at the Eugene Dupuch Law School, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas.

A student of the former BVI High School, Ms Smith wanted to be a School Teacher, Poet, or an Attorney-at-Law and always had a passion for History and English Literature, two subject areas that are now paying dividends. While she is already a recognised poet in the Territory and at the universities she attended, Ms. Smith’s career choices were narrowed down somewhat when she realised that teaching was maybe not for her. “She explained that back in 2005 she did a summer teaching programme where she realised that teaching was not a profession she wished to pursue any longer.

Being true to herself has paid off for our Young Professional, who has been able to make a balance between poetry and law studies since “While at university in Barbados, I did a performance during Law Week and also published a poem in the Law Society’s Yearbook.”

Ms Smith also has stage performance experience in Bahamas and on the local scene she performed during Music Fest. She said being on stage and having to face an audience have helped to boost her confidence level and being able to deliver her presentations fluently and effectively, qualities which are also critical for success in the law profession.

Off the stage, Ms Smith’s performance has been excellent as reflected by the number of prizes she received on graduating from the Eugene Dupuch Law School in the Bahamas. The prizes were Higgs & Johnson Prize for Best Performance in Civil Procedure and Practice; Council's Prize for Most Outstanding Year II Student; Graham, Thompson & Co. Prize for Most Outstanding Year II Student; Commonwealth Law Advocates Prize for Most Outstanding Year II Student; Davis & Co. Prize for Best Performance in Probate Practice & Procedure; Tutor's Prize for Best All-round Student and Mc W.Todman & Co Prize for Most Outstanding Virgin Islands Student Over Two Years.

“As I crossover from academic to professional I am reminded of the determination and integrity that has brought me this far in my academic success and will continue to have high standards and expectations of myself in my professional endeavours.”

With these accomplishments, it is surprising that our Young Professional has not already been snapped up by any of the local law firms but then again Ms Smith may be needing quality rest after the many years of continued studies.

Nevertheless, Ms Smith has ambitions of humbly working her way up to specialise in International Law. “That is the area of law that I have a deep interest in. I love International Relations and did some courses in it while at university. She also had the privilege of presenting a moot on international law at the Caribbean Court of Justice in Trinidad. “While preparing for it (moot) I developed a special interest in International Law.”

Our Young Professional also has some exposure working with law firms and also a trust company. She also had the opportunity to work with the late C. E. Dawson, who she said was one of her role models in the legal profession. “I admired the Late Mr. C E Dawson's approach to the practice of law and he was very encouraging.”

Ms Smith gives lots of credit to her parents Janet Hendricks and Alwon Smith, her brother Rajah Smith and her dear best friend Leisha Armstrong, who all attended her recent graduation. “I thank them for their support and motivation throughout my academic career. Failure was not an option for me at any stage of my educational journey,” she noted.

Our Young Professional revealed to us that she is also guided by her motto “In all things give thanks”, which she says reminds her to be grateful and that “to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven”, which reminds her to be patient and not anxious.

Ms Smith advises young people to take advantage of every educational opportunity possible. “Be assured, be focussed, and be determined to achieve whatever goals you have set for yourselves.”

She also noted that in certain countries in the Caribbean, one has to pay a lot of money for a good education, whereas, here in the Virgin Islands education is free from primary to secondary levels and just a minimal cost is attached to the tertiary level. “That is a real opportunity that BVIslanders are given and we as young persons have to take education seriously and take advantage of it.”