Two graduations, one triumph

For 72-year-old Joan Crooks, the realisation came quietly but powerfully. Within the space of a single week, two of her granddaughters would walk across separate graduation stages, marking the end of years of sacrifice, perseverance and steadfast family support.

“I feel glad and I feel happy that I live to see it,” Crooks said. “Two grandchildren graduating one after the other in the same week.”

The milestone belonged to 22-year-old Alana Paige Henry, who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, and her cousin, 24-year-old Marianna Crooks, who completed a Bachelor’s degree in Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging.

For Henry, the achievement represented far more than an academic qualification.

“This milestone represents growth, resilience and self discovery,” Henry said. “It is the culmination of years of sacrifice, not just for me, but for my family as well.”

Her journey was not without difficulty. Financial challenges meant balancing a demanding law programme with part-time work, an experience she said tested her discipline and independence.

“It was demanding, but it taught me perseverance,” Henry explained. “There were moments of doubt, but I had to remain committed.”

Although their academic paths differed, Henry and Crooks said their journeys shared common emotional terrain. Both faced pressure, uncertainty and the weight of expectation, but found strength in knowing they were not alone.“Simply knowing that someone else in the family was pushing through at the same time made the journey feel less lonely,” Henry said.

Crooks agreed, describing how they bonded under pressure and supported each other through stressful periods. “It was good knowing that some of the feelings were mutual,” she said. “We related a lot to each other whenever we would see each other.”

For Crooks, the academic load was intense, with her programme requiring as many as 13 courses per semester. “Balancing that was definitely the toughest part,” she said. “At one point, I was more concerned with just obtaining the degree than the ceremony itself.”

UNWAVERING SUPPORT

What anchored both young women throughout their studies was the quiet but unwavering support of their grandmother, who raised Crooks and played a central role in both their lives.

“She may not have always expressed it loudly, but her belief in me was constant,” Henry said. “That steady presence made a tremendous difference.”

Crooks recalled her grandmother’s daily sacrifices, from waking early to take her to school to cooking, cleaning and ensuring she was never left unsupervised.

“She never liked seeing me stressed,” Crooks said. “She always told me to do my best and said she was already proud. That made me want to work even harder so she could see the results of her sacrifices.”

Seeing their grandmother in the audience proved emotional for both graduates.

“It was incredibly rewarding,” Henry said. “It reminded me that this achievement was not mine alone, but a shared victory built on love and sacrifice.”

Crooks described the moment as overwhelming.“She cried tears of joy, and I had never seen that before,” she said. “It made me cry too.”

For Crooks, raising her granddaughters was never a burden. “It was good and I was happy to do it,” she said. “We have ups and downs like any family, but we are always there for each other.”

She now holds one simple dream for their future: “My dream is to see that they go further and further on.”

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