2017​ ​YCLA​ ​finalists​ ​-​ ​Brief​ ​Bios

Faith​ ​Gealey​​ ​is​ ​an​ ​community​ ​builder.​ ​​ ​Whether​ ​at​ ​home​ ​or at​ ​work,​ ​she​ ​brings​ ​people​ ​together.​ ​​ ​Faith​ ​works​ ​as​ ​a​ ​speech language​ ​pathologist​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Health​ ​Services​ ​Authority​ ​where she​ ​also​ ​serves​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Staff​ ​Welfare​ ​Association​ ​Chairperson with​ ​a​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​building​ ​staff​ ​morale​ ​and​ ​providing​ ​support​ ​to live​ ​healthier​ ​work​ ​and​ ​home​ ​lives.​ ​​ ​​ ​She​ ​is​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the board​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Special​ ​Needs​ ​Foundations​ ​and​ ​uses​ ​this position​ ​to​ ​help​ ​advocate​ ​for​ ​the​ ​children​ ​in​ ​our​ ​community with​ ​special​ ​needs​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families.​ ​​ ​This​ ​advocacy​ ​led​ ​to her​ ​appointment​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Deputy​ ​Chairperson​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Cayman Islands​ ​National​ ​Disabilities​ ​council​ ​where​ ​she​ ​can​ ​now​ ​work on​ ​advocating​ ​for​ ​people​ ​with​ ​disabilities​ ​at​ ​a​ ​National​ ​level.

Faith​ ​is​ ​a​ ​founding​ ​member​ ​and​ ​is​ ​the​ ​current​ ​Chairperson​ ​of
the​ ​Caribbean​ ​Speech​ ​and​ ​Hearing​ ​Association.​ ​​ ​She​ ​is passionate​ ​about​ ​her​ ​field​ ​and​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​encourage​ ​more​ ​Caymanians​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​Allied​ ​Health
professions.​ ​She​ ​uses​ ​this​ ​medium​ ​to​ ​mentor​ ​and​ ​support​ ​students​ s​ tudying​ ​speech​ ​pathology as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​physiotherapy​ ​and​ ​occupational​ ​therapy
Faith​ ​is​ ​also​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​founding​ ​members​ ​of​ ​Cayman​ ​Thanksgiving​ ​and​ ​feels​ ​that​ ​our connection​ ​to​ ​our​ ​Caymanian​ ​heritage​ ​and​ ​culture​ ​is​ ​paramount​ ​in​ ​ensuring​ ​the​ ​legacy​ ​of​ ​our forefathers​ ​lives​ ​on.​ ​​ ​Faith​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​the​ ​key​ ​to​ ​demonstrating​ ​good​ ​leadership​ ​is​ ​through serving​ ​her​ ​community​ ​and​ ​she​ ​actively​ ​acts​ ​on​ ​those​ ​principles​ ​daily.​ ​​ ​Faith’s​ ​energy​ ​and talents​ ​are​ ​wide​ ​reaching​ ​and​ ​she​ ​uses​ ​them​ ​in​ ​many​ ​ways​ ​from​ ​using​ ​her​ ​fluency​ ​in​ ​American Sign​ ​Language​ ​to​ ​assist​ ​Cayman’s​ ​underserved​ ​Deaf​ ​community​ ​to​ ​her​ ​annual​ ​christmas​ ​cakes and​ ​her​ ​role​ ​in​ ​the​ ​preservation​ ​of​ ​traditional​ ​Caymanian​ ​values​ ​by​ ​supporting​ ​events​ ​like Cayman​ ​Thanksgiving,​ ​Faith​ ​never​ ​fails​ ​to​ ​find​ ​the​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​helps​ ​us​ ​connect​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other.

Age:​​ ​34​ ​years​ ​old

Degree:
B.S.​ ​in​ ​Communication​ ​Sciences​ ​and​ ​Disorders. Master​ ​of​ ​Science​ ​in​ ​Communication​ ​Sciences​ ​and​ ​Disorders​ ​from​ ​Florida​ ​State University.

Employment:
Physiotherapy​ ​Department,​ ​Cayman​ ​Islands​ ​Health​ ​Services​ ​Authority

Accomplishments/Advocacy:
Creating​ ​awareness​ ​and​ ​support​ ​for​ ​people​ ​with​ ​disabilities​ ​in​ ​our​ ​community.​ ​​ ​Creating appreciation​ ​for​ ​and​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​traditional​ ​Caymanian​ ​culture​ ​(and​ ​food).

Core​ ​Message​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Youth:

Mentorship​ ​is​ ​your​ ​key​ ​to​ ​success!​ ​​ ​Actively​ ​seek​ ​mentorship​ ​in​ ​all​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​your​ ​life,​ ​and be​ ​open​ ​to​ ​the​ ​guidance​ ​you​ ​receive.​ ​​ ​Every​ ​experience​ ​you​ ​obtain,​ ​and​ ​every​ ​piece​ ​of advice​ ​you​ ​receive​ ​will​ ​help​ ​to​ ​shape​ ​you​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​valuable​ ​member​ ​of​ ​our​ ​community. As​ ​you​ ​grow,​ ​use​ ​your​ ​experience​ ​to​ ​then​ ​mentor​ ​others,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​the​ ​circle​ ​of​ ​mentorship and​ ​support​ ​remains​ ​an​ ​ever​ ​present​ ​part​ ​of​ ​your​ ​life.

Matt​ ​Brown​’s​ ​personality​ ​seems​ ​to​ ​bridge​ ​all​ ​age barriers​ ​and​ ​shines​ ​light​ ​on​ ​Cayman’s​ ​history​ ​and culture​ ​with​ ​his​ ​own​ ​unique​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​humour.

At​ ​Geezum​ ​TV,​ ​he​ ​developed​ ​his​ ​own​ ​media​ ​company and​ ​brand​ ​which​ ​has​ ​developed​ ​an​ ​animated​ ​children’s show,​ ​Bobo​ ​&​ ​Teedee​ ​and​ ​comedy​ ​sketch​ ​variety show​ ​which​ ​is​ ​now​ ​carried​ ​by​ ​Tempo​ ​networks​ ​and​ ​is seen​ ​in​ ​over​ ​5​ ​million​ ​households​ ​internationally.

Matt​ ​is​ ​a​ ​gifted​ ​public​ ​speaker​ ​and​ ​talented​ ​performer.

He​ ​utilized​ ​his​ ​degree​ ​of​ ​Professional​ ​Recording​ ​Arts and​ ​Social​ ​Studies​ ​to​ ​write​ ​and​ ​perform​ ​his​ ​own​ ​music,​ ​but​ ​is​ ​equally​ ​gifted​ ​on​ ​stage,
receiving​ ​accolades​ ​for​ ​his​ ​work​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Cayman​ ​story​ ​telling​ ​festival,​ ​Gimmistory​ ​and Rundown.

Most​ ​recently,​ ​Matt​ ​was​ ​chosen​ ​to​ ​represented​ ​the​ ​Cayman​ ​Islands​ ​in​ ​theatre,​ ​playing the​ ​lead​ ​role​ ​in​ ​Dr.​ ​Frank​ ​McField’s​ ​“Playground”​ ​at​ ​CARIFESTA​ ​13​ ​in​ ​Barbados.

Age:​ ​​ ​32

Degree:
Professional​ ​Recording​ ​Arts-​ ​Art​ ​Institute​ ​of​ ​Vancouver Associate​ ​of​ ​Arts​ ​in​ ​Social​ ​Studies-​ ​UCCI

Core​ ​Message​ ​to​ ​Youth

“Don’t​ ​dwell​ ​on​ ​the​ ​past,​ ​don’t​ ​fear​ ​the​ ​future,​ ​happiness​ ​is​ ​in​ ​the​ ​present moment!”

A​lice​ ​Ramos​​ ​will​ ​find​ ​the​ ​25th​ ​hour​ ​in​ ​the​ ​day​ ​when necessary​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​lives​ ​of​ ​others​ ​through​ ​community service.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​her​ ​most​ ​proud​ ​positions​ ​in​ ​this​ ​regard​ ​was serving​ ​as​ ​President​ ​of​ ​Rotaract​ ​Blue​ ​Cayman​ ​Islands​ ​in 2015/16,​ ​after​ ​moving​ ​up​ ​the​ ​club​ ​ranks​ ​in​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of capacities.​ ​During​ ​her​ ​year​ ​as​ ​president,​ ​she​ ​created​ ​the initiative​ ​”Put​ ​your​ ​best​ ​foot​ ​forward,”​ ​a​ ​program​ ​that provided​ ​new​ ​school​ ​shoes​ ​for​ ​children​ ​coming​ ​from​ ​families facing​ ​financial​ ​difficulties.

While​ ​there​ ​are​ ​too​ ​many​ ​of​ ​her​ ​charitable​ ​efforts​ ​to​ ​mention, some​ ​of​ ​her​ ​most​ ​prized​ ​moments​ ​include​ ​mentoring​ ​young Caymanians​ ​via​ ​The​ ​Cayman​ F​ inance​ ​Student​ ​Education​ ​& Work​ ​Experience​ ​Programme,​ r​aising​ ​money​ ​for​ ​Meals​ ​on Wheels,​ ​volunteering​ ​with​ ​Junior​ ​Achievement​ ​(and​ ​now​ ​serving​ ​on​ ​the​ ​board).​ ​Alice​ ​is​ ​always ready​ ​and​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​put​ ​in​ ​the​ ​work,​ ​even​ ​when​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​recognition​ ​for​ ​her​ ​personally.

In​ ​her​ ​professional​ ​life,​ ​she​ ​started​ ​as​ ​an​ ​intern​ ​at​ ​DMS​ ​in​ ​2004​ ​and​ ​has​ ​worked​ ​her​ ​way​ ​up​ ​to​ ​a
Manager​ ​Position​ ​in​ ​Operations​ ​and​ ​Redemptions​ ​at​ ​Saxon​ ​Pensions.​ ​Along​ ​this​ ​journey,​ ​she
has ​​received ​​numerous​​ awards​​ and​​ accolades.​ S​he​​ has ​​been ​​an​​ active​​ leader​​ of ​​the​​ Saxon
Investment​ ​Club,​ ​a​ ​programme​ ​that​ ​teaches​ y​oung​ ​people​ ​about​ ​the​ ​markets​ ​and​ ​educates
young​ ​people​ ​about​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​saving​ ​and​ ​investing​ ​from​ ​an​ ​early​ ​stage.

When​ ​she​ ​isn’t​ ​volunteering​ ​or​ ​working,​ ​she​ ​enjoys​ ​keeping​ ​fit,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​often​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​the​ ​next
half-marathon​ ​to​ ​challenge​ h​ er​ ​physically​ ​and​ ​mentally.

Age:​ ​​ ​29

Degree:
Bachelors​ ​of​ ​Health​ ​Services​ ​Administration,​ ​Minor​ ​in​ ​Business,​ ​Florida​ ​International University.​ ​​ ​Delta​ ​Epsilon​ ​Iota​ ​Honor​ ​Society. Currently​ ​studying:​ ​CIMA​ ​Certificate​ ​in​ ​Business​ ​Accounting

Core​ ​Message​ ​to​ ​Youth

“Believe​ ​in​ ​yourself,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​achieve​ ​anything​ ​you​ ​set​ ​your​ ​mind​ ​to.​ ​Your​ ​age​ ​doesn’t matter.​ ​Your​ ​past​ ​doesn’t​ ​matter.​ ​And​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​times​ ​you’ve​ ​picked​ ​yourself​ ​up​ ​and started​ ​over​ ​again,​ ​​ ​definitely​ ​doesn’t​ ​matter.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​achieve​ ​anything!​ ​Turn​ ​the​ ​page and​ ​begin​ ​a​ ​new​ ​script;​ ​don’t​ ​let​ ​your​ ​first​ ​chapter​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​your​ ​life.”

Yentel​ ​McGaw​​ ​is​ ​a​ ​known​ ​community​ ​leader​ ​and​ ​youth advocate​ ​through​ ​her​ ​years​ ​of​ ​service​ ​to​ ​the​ ​public.​ ​She​ ​is​ ​the current​ ​Immigration​ ​Manager​ ​and​ ​HR​ ​Consultant​ ​at​ ​Baraud International​ ​Recruitment​ ​Consultants​ ​Ltd.​​ ​​with​ ​over​ ​4​ ​years’ experience​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Human​ ​Resources​ ​field.

She​ ​is​ ​a​ ​proud​ ​alumni​ ​of​ ​Ernst​ ​and​ ​Young​ ​and​ ​the Ritz-Carlton,​ ​Grand​ ​Cayman​ ​where​ ​she​ ​spearhead​ ​community initiatives​ ​and​ ​projects​ ​for​ ​each​ ​organization.​ ​Yentel​ ​has​ ​lived​ ​her​ ​life​ ​determined​ ​to​ ​achieve whatever​ ​she​ ​sets​ ​her​ ​mind​ ​to​ ​but​ ​not​ ​at​ ​the​ ​expense​ ​of​ ​giving​ ​back​ ​to​ ​her​ ​community​ ​and family.

In​ ​2009,​ ​Yentel​ ​founded​ ​the​ ​Youth​ ​Community​ ​Excellence​ ​Award​ ​program​ ​which​ ​highlights​ ​the positive​ ​efforts​ ​of​ ​young​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​community​ ​who​ ​are​ ​striving​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​difference.​ ​The foundation​ ​is​ ​also​ ​a​ ​scholarship​ ​program​ ​as​ ​recipients​ ​of​ ​the​ ​award​ ​are​ ​funded​ ​with​ ​a​ ​two-year overseas​ ​government​ ​scholarship​ ​and​ ​a​ ​check​ ​for​ ​$1,000​ ​which​ ​goes​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​organization that​ ​nominated​ ​the​ ​winner.​ ​​ ​​ ​A​ ​full​ ​time​ ​working​ ​mom​ ​to​ ​her​ ​2-year-old​ ​daughter,​ ​Kai​ ​Olivia Haye,​ ​Yentel​ ​has​ ​contributed​ ​countless​ ​hours​ ​each​ ​year​ ​to​ ​community​ ​service​ ​with​ ​various organizations​ ​like​ ​NCVO,​ ​Meals​ ​on​ ​Wheels,​ ​ARK​ ​and​ ​the​ ​National​ ​Drug​ ​Council​ ​to​ ​name​ ​a​ ​few.

She​ ​has​ ​organized​ ​initiatives​ ​such​ ​as​ ​a​ ​multi-hotel​ ​Earth​ ​Day​ ​Cleanup,​ ​an​ ​“End​ ​Polio”​ ​fundraiser with​ ​the​ ​Rotaract​ ​Club​ ​of​ ​Grand​ ​Cayman,​ ​assisted​ ​with​ ​local​ ​food​ ​drives​ ​through​ ​the​ ​Women’s Believers​ ​Ministry​ ​and​ ​is​ ​a​ ​mentor​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Girl​ ​force​ ​initiative​ ​with​ ​NextGen​ ​Cayman​ ​where​ ​she mentors​ ​a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​young​ ​girls​ ​in​ ​the​ ​local​ ​high​ ​schools.

Age:​ ​26

Degree:
Bachelor’s​ ​Degree​ ​in​ ​Marketing​ ​Management​ ​from​ ​the​ ​University​ ​College​ ​Birmingham, UK.​ ​and​ ​will​ ​be​ ​pursuing​ ​her​ ​MBA​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​2018.

Accomplishments:
​ ​Founder​ ​of​ ​Yentel​ ​McGaw​ ​Youth​ ​Community​ ​Excellence​ ​Award
Proud​ ​of​ ​Them​ ​recipient​ ​2013

Executed​ ​a​ ​Drug​ ​Prevention​ ​conference​ ​for​ ​over​ ​1,000​ ​students​ ​in​ ​Grand​ ​Cayman​ ​and Cayman​ ​Brac​ ​in​ ​2017

Helped​ ​raise​ ​over​ ​$13,000​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Francis​ ​Bodden​ ​Girls​ ​Home​ ​in​ ​2017

Core​ ​Message​ ​to​ ​Youth

“Your​ ​character​ ​and​ ​reputation​ ​will​ ​often​ ​times​ ​make​ ​the​ ​first​ ​impression​ ​long​ ​before someone​ ​meets​ ​you.​ ​It’s​ ​the​ ​most​ ​important​ ​investment​ ​you​ ​can​ ​make​ ​in​ ​yourself​ ​to ensure​ ​you​ ​are​ ​nurturing​ ​and​ ​investing​ ​in​ ​your​ ​future.​ ​Be​ ​kind​ ​to​ ​everyone​ ​you​ ​meet, stay​ ​humble,​ ​stay​ ​focused​ ​and​ ​stay​ ​hungry​ ​for​ ​the​ ​goals​ ​you​ ​have​ ​for​ ​your​ ​life,​ ​because only​ ​you​ ​can​ ​make​ ​them​ ​come​ ​through.​ ​Lastly,​ ​always​ ​remember​ ​your​ ​character​ ​is​ ​who God​ ​says​ ​you​ ​are​ ​and​ ​Reputation​ ​is​ ​who​ ​people​ ​say​ ​you​ ​are,​ ​so​ ​seek​ ​God​ ​first​ ​and​ ​trust him​ ​in​ ​all​ ​things.​ ​”

Stacie​ ​Sybersma​​ ​is​ ​known​ ​for​ ​her​ ​passion​ ​and advocacy​ ​for​ ​the​ ​environment​ ​and​ ​in​ ​particular,​ ​the ocean​ ​and​ ​coastal​ ​zone.​ ​That​ ​passion​ ​has​ ​led​ ​her​ ​to tackle​ ​tough​ ​projects​ ​such​ ​as​ ​her​ ​Master’s​ ​thesis which​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​contamination​ ​from​ ​Grand​ ​Cayman’s George​ ​Town​ ​Landfill​ ​going​ ​into​ ​the​ ​North​ ​Sound. Stacie​ ​currently​ ​works​ ​at​ ​CUC​ ​(Caribbean​ ​Utilities Company)​ ​as​ ​an​ ​Environment,​ ​Health​ ​and​ ​Safety Specialist​ ​working​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​both​ ​the​ ​environment​ ​and people​ ​safe.​ ​She​ ​also​ ​volunteers​ ​on​ ​the​ ​National Trust’s​ ​Environmental​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee.

Stacie​ ​strongly​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​education​ ​and​ ​awareness​ ​are​ ​powerful​ ​conservation​ ​tools. With​ ​this​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​she​ ​frequently​ ​volunteers​ ​her​ ​time​ ​to​ ​give​ ​lectures​ ​about​ ​Cayman’s natural​ ​environment​ ​to​ ​local​ ​students.​ ​Highlights​ ​include​ ​co-lecturing​ ​Marine​ ​Biology​ ​in 2015​ ​at​ ​ICCI,​ ​and​ ​being​ ​invited​ ​to​ ​speak​ ​at​ ​the​ ​United​ ​World​ ​College’s​ ​short​ ​course, ‘Towards​ ​a​ ​Sustainable​ ​Future’.​ ​​ ​Additionally​ ​she​ ​gave​ ​two​ ​TedX​ ​talks,​ ​in​ ​2016​ ​and again​ ​in​ ​2017,​ ​about​ ​the​ ​Ocean’s​ ​Potential,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​ups​ ​and​ ​downs​ ​of​ ​growing​ ​up, respectively.​ ​Stacie​ ​is​ ​a​ ​published​ ​writer,​ ​certified​ ​rescue​ ​diver​ ​and​ ​always​ ​keen​ ​to explore,​ ​learn​ ​and​ ​share​ ​her​ ​experiences.

Age:​ ​​ ​27

Degree:
Master​ ​of​ ​Marine​ ​Management,​ ​​ ​Faculty​ ​of​ ​Science,​ ​Dalhousie​ ​University,​ ​Nova Scotia,​ ​Canada​ ​2015.​ ​​ ​​ ​Thesis:​ ​Assessment​ ​of​ ​Grand​ ​Cayman’s​ ​George​ ​Town Landfill​ ​and​ ​Application​ ​of​ ​Integrated​ ​Coastal​ ​Management​ ​for​ ​Improved Sustainability.

Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Arts​ ​in​ ​Biology​ ​(Hons),​ ​Hiram​ ​College,​ ​Ohio,​ ​USA,​ ​2012 8​ ​of​ ​9​ ​​ ​rev.​ ​6​ ​Sep​ ​17

Honor’s​ ​Project:​ ​How​ ​to​ ​“Turtle​ ​Walk”-​ ​An​ ​Informative​ ​Booklet​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Practices​ ​of Locating,​ ​Recording​ ​and​ ​Excavating​ ​Turtle​ ​Nests.​ ​(In​ ​partnership​ ​with​ ​the Department​ ​of​ ​Environment)

Accomplishments/Advocacy:
– Works​ ​with​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​environment​ ​and​ ​conservation​ ​focused​ ​entities,

– Co-lecturer​ ​for​ ​Marine​ ​Biology​ ​at​ ​ICCI​ ​in​ ​2015

– Guest​ ​speaker​ ​at​ ​the​ ​United​ ​World​ ​College​ ​for​ ​their​ ​short​ ​course​ ​‘Towards
a​ ​Sustainable​ ​Future’.

– Published​ ​Author:​ ​published​ ​dozen​ ​articles​ ​in​ ​Cayman​ ​Skies​ ​Magazine covering​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​topics​ ​on​ ​land​ ​and​ ​underwater,​ ​and​ ​published academic​ ​papers.

– Gave​ ​two​ ​popular​ ​TEDx​ ​talks.
– –
TEDx-UCCI​ ​Future​ ​Vision​ ​2016:​ ​“Ocean​ ​Potential”​ ​–​ ​which​ ​was about​ ​the​ ​numerous​ ​ways​ ​the​ ​ocean​ ​impacts​ ​our​ ​everyday​ ​lives.

TEDx-UCCI​ ​Spark​ ​2017:​ ​“The​ ​Ten​ ​Years​ ​After​ ​you​ ​Graduate​ ​High School”​ ​–​ ​which​ ​was​ ​about​ ​the​ ​ups​ ​and​ ​downs​ ​of​ ​transitioning​ ​from teenager​ ​to​ ​adult.​ ​This​ ​talk​ ​hit​ ​on​ ​topics​ ​such​ ​as​ ​self-acceptance, career​ ​choices,​ ​and​ ​mental​ ​health.

Core​ ​Message​ ​to​ ​Youth
“As​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​working​ ​in​ ​science​ ​I​ ​understand​ ​how​ ​intimidating​ ​it​ ​can​ ​be​ ​to pursue​ ​your​ ​dreams,​ ​and​ ​do​ ​what​ ​you​ ​love.​ ​However,​ ​don’t​ ​let​ ​anyone​ ​or anything​ ​hold​ ​you​ ​back.​ ​Find​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​put​ ​your​ ​passions​ ​into​ ​everything​ ​you​ ​do! Share​ ​what​ ​inspires​ ​you,​ ​share​ ​your​ ​talents,​ ​and​ ​most​ ​of​ ​all​ ​share​ ​your​ ​kindness”

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See also iNews Cayman story published today: “Cayman Islands: Young Caymanian Leadership Foundation announces finalists for YCLA 2017”