Jovan St. G. Legister,Youthlink Writer

"It's amazing how one split second can change your life forever," says Monique Trishanna Chambers, reflecting on the fragility of life.

Monique realises that humankind has "failed to acknowledge the power bestowed upon it", so she is determined to avoid any path which could stifle her potential.

Born February 19, 1991, the aspiring journalist sees education as the only vehicle that can take her to this dream, and she credits her mother and friends as some of the most instrumental motivators in her life. She says mom, Josephine Coke, "has always encouraged me to do great things and told me there are no boundaries in a free mind". This is 19-year-old Monique Trishanna Chambers' life.

Baby Monique prior to her christening.

Monique describes herself as extremely shy and nervous on her first day of school. She recalls that her mother was taking an endless number of pictures of her at this stage.

At her basic school graduation, Monique (left) was the top achiever, collecting numerous prizes for her hard work. From a very tender age, she believed excellence was a must.

On the day she was to take her primary school picture, Monique recalls, "I hated my hair because my friends called me Mickey Mouse". Primary school, however, was just another bridge that she had to cross, and there she formed both good and bad memories.

In first form and attending high school abroad, it was a different experience. "Being introduced to a new school and a new environment was a bit tiring," she says. She, however, stuck to her cause and aimed for excellence above all, despite the challenges.