By KAYLA DEMICCO
Opinions Editor
Moving from Guyana, South America, to Brooklyn, New York when she was just 14 years old, Wendella Wilson had to adjust to a new environment as she started high school.
As she moved between the two different continents, the hardest part was leaving her family and close relatives. Moving away from the place she grew up in with her mother in Guyana to a new place with her father in New York, adjusting to a new life was tough.
When Wilson started high school in Canarsie, Brooklyn, it took her a few months to adapt to her new life. The biggest culture shock was how rude the kids were to her and how they would make fun of her because of her skin color and because she was raised in a different country.
“I knew [college] was going to be better,” said Wilson. “College is better than high school because they are more open-minded. You have to understand its more diverse.”
As a Biology major with a focus in Cell Molecular Track and vice president of the dance group, Golden Vybz and a member of the Women’s Tennis team, Wilson has kept herself very busy during her four years at The College of Saint Rose.
Going into 12th grade, with the encouragement from her father to go into medicine, she started to have the inspiration to do anything within the medical field.
After visiting Saint Rose for the “Knight for a Day” program, Wilson knew that this was the school for her. From the biology classes she attended with her host, to the small community, to the fries in the dining hall, Wilson knew she had to be at Saint Rose.
“Everyone is so nice and treats you like family,” said Wilson.
Despite this, she felt out of place because as a Afro Carribean girl, she found nothing that was geared to her culture in the dance aspect. This is when her and her friends took matters into her own hands to improve her experience at Saint Rose.
“Wendella will be my sister and friend for life. Her encouragement and passion for success had motivated me so much during my first year. I cannot wait to see her achieve all of her goal she has set for her life,” said Kayla Richards, a freshman Psychology major.
During her junior year, Wilson and a group of friends created the dance group, Golden Vybz. Since then, the group has been a huge part of her life.
“Wendella has affected my life in such a positive way. We started Golden Vybz together which is a great accomplishment. She has also inspired me to want more for myself and she pushes and motivates everyone around her,” said Victoria Olanipekun, a senior Public Health major and co-founder and current president of Golden Vybz.
Golden Vybz was approved to be an official Student Association club at the end of the Fall 2018 semester. Prior to that, it was denied twice, but it only taught Wilson and her friends to continue to reach out to other clubs and learn through experience.
“I see Golden Vybz being around for many years. It brings culture to the school,” said Wilson. “People from the team are appreciative for the opportunity with showing their culture and the school community is very proud to see it happen and thrive.”
During her senior year, Wilson worked with Dr. Ann Zeeh on an individual research project called Variables Affecting the Quality of Plasmid DNA Isolated Using Nucleic Acid Purification Kit” and presented it at the April 16, Undergraduate Research Symposium, which as been a goal of hers since she got to Saint Rose.
“I’m really glad that I got to meet her and I’m glad God put her in my life. For those who don’t know Wendella Wilson, three words to describe her is determined, caring, and blunt. She really cares a great deal for her family and the people she call her friends! She helped to keep me focus and gave me confidence during times I doubted myself,” said Shelandah Brissett, also a senior Biology major with a concentration in Cell Molecular Track.
She gave me jokes when I needed to be cheered up, and told me the honest truth when I needed to get my life together. She is honestly a dedicated person and she works hard for all her accomplishments and as her friend and supporter it makes me happy that can witness this and celebrate with her!”
Being a part of Reach Out Saint Rose, founding a dance team, and being an orientation leader, Wilson has looked at every opportunity and took it has her own.
“In the real world, its for yourself,” said Wilson.
After graduating, she wants to get her PhD in Genetics. However, she is going to take a break after her undergraduate as she already has a job lined up to be a lab assistant at a pharmaceutical company.
“I don’t want to rush my career. If it’s right for you, it will come to you. See where the opportunities take you,” said Wilson.
Graduating is a huge accomplishment for her and she never would have seen herself doing such things in a million years. She knows she has something to make her parents, family, and peers proud.
“I’m happy I made it this far,” said Wilson.
