Young scholar defied tragedy - Losing both parents couldn’t stop UWI valedictorian

At just 16, Nathan Walker faced unimaginable adversity, losing both his parents within a year.

But, rather than being overwhelmed by his grief, he used his profound loss as powerful motivation. In February 2018, just months before sitting his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) mathematics exam in 10th grade at Campion College, Walker's mother died from an asthma attack, completely shifting his world.

"It was a really stressful time in my life, especially because I was very close with my mom. I was often called her handbag, so it was very destabilising. But I knew I had to compartmentalise and push through because I knew she wanted me to do well and I wanted to do well in her honour," said Walker. His determination paid off when he excelled in his exam, achieving a grade one in the subject, with a distinction.

Walker said that, during this difficult time, his entire family was there to support him, but his main source of strength was his father. However, in 2019, just one day before he was set to sit his Caribbean history exam, the first of his nine CSEC exams, he experienced another devastating blow.

"In the night he [my father] just felt sick, so we took him to the hospital. I remember, while at the hospital in the waiting room I was studying, and, even though I didn't get to study all that I wanted to, in my head I just wanted to come back to the hospital and be like 'Hey Dad, I did extremely well,'" Walker explained. But, sadly, he never got the chance to say those words because, by the time he completed his exam, he received the heartbreaking news that his father had passed away.

"When I got the news, I was devastated and in shock. I never expected it because he only complained about a bellyache. But, even though it hit me hard, I knew I had to make them proud, so I compartmentalised again and sat my exams," said Walker. Once again, his efforts paid off when he earned nine grade ones that year and secured placements on the region's merit lists for both CSEC and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). He achieved the third-highest score in the Caribbean for CAPE and CSEC Spanish, along with placements in history, French, and sociology.

This tremendous success led Walker to receive the GraceKennedy Jamaica Scholarship, which fully covered all his expenses at The University of the West Indies. On Friday, the 22-year-old will not only graduate with a bachelor of science degree in economics, and a double minor in Spanish and international relations with first class honours, but also speak as the valedictorian for the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Walker told THE STAR that university was not without its challenges, but he was determined to make his parents proud. His only regret is that they will not be there to share this momentous occasion with him.

"When I lost them, it felt like I lost my limbs. So, every experience that I have, I try to be grateful. I am grateful, but at the same time if feels like having to manage the world without my extra limbs ... and, even with the celebratory things, I'm happy, but I would have preferred to have them there with me," said Walker, his voice filled with sadness.