The Tribune

THOSE who are passionate about education know it takes more than sticking to the books to be outstanding.

Being successful requires a determination capable of crossing both cultural boundaries and age gaps.

Just ask Gillian Curry-Treco – a mature scholar who has been transcending the generational learning divide since 2010, when she became the recipient of an annual grant of $7,000 from the Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation.

The technical training and vocational scholarship provided Gillian with crucial support toward her studies at the Academy of Design at RCC Institute of Technology in Toronto, Canada.

Immersing herself in an intense 18-month course in fashion design, the scholar was able to greatly develop her professional skills.

An avid seamstress, couture designer and teacher, the triple-threat is eager to hone her abilities and make her talents known to the international fashion industry.

“Sewing is what I’ve always known I would do and designing is what I’ve always done,” she said. “For as long as I can remember, the fashion industry has been my passion – I have always wanted to be a part of it.”

Gillian follows in the footsteps of Donovan Curry, her son and fellow Lyford Cay scholarship recipient, whose relationship with the Foundation began in 2008, when he earned an award worth $10,000 annually toward his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Motivated by her son’s success, Gillian sought out a means to progress and reach her own objectives.

“For the past 20 years I have worked in the industry, instructing a sewing class and managing my own store of couture work,” she explained. “After Donovan went off to university, I thought that I would use the opportunity to do something to advance my knowledge and re-brand myself and my work. I am a firm believer in life-long development – one can never be too old to learn.”

Gillian’s dedication to individual advancement has rubbed off on Donovan, who has demonstrated his resolve to succeed since discovering his own passion while working with local engineers and studying at the College of the Bahamas some years back.

“I spent a year at COB and worked with the Ministry of Public Works, gaining experience as a mechanical engineer. I began to look for something different and decided to do aeronautical engineering.”

Since receiving his first grant from the Foundation toward his undergraduate studies, Donovan has continued to thrive.

This summer, the scholar completed a master’s degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, graduating with a distinction.

His $7,500 graduate scholarship gave him the freedom to expand his opportunities, examining the field of aviation through modern and innovative eyes.

“What I’m looking at is control systems – things like the autopilot systems found in planes. In the future, I see myself programming in-flight computer systems. It would definitely be something I love doing, because it is so challenging.”

Gillian also graduated with distinction and was the valedictorian for the fashion programme at her graduation ceremony last month.

Both mother and son are looking forward to contributing to the growth of their respective fields through the knowledge gained abroad.

“I know that there is a need for an in-country flight school, and local education is the next step,” said Donovan. “I would like to get into expanding the field. I can see myself doing maintenance training where I could cater to our national companies and airlines.”

Like her son, Gillian intends to do her part to enrich the Bahamas’ budding industries by using her newly gained skills to contribute to the evolution of young fashion designers and seamstresses.

“Taking part in the course has made me want to teach again,” she said. “Over the years, I have grown to know the value of the exchange of ideas and techniques between students and instructors.”

Despite their vocational and generational differences, the scholars can agree that extraordinariness is something that can only result from fearless determination.

“I believe that teaching yourself, learning from your mistakes and not being afraid to make mistakes are all a part of the route to being successful,” said Donovan.

“I think that, above all, you must remain constantly devoted,” Gillian added.