Full name: Rijziena Cassandra Hooker

Statia Nickname: Rij, affectionate nickname for family and friends.

Age: 25

City and Country of residence today: St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands

Occupation: Teacher Assistant/Student

Recap your story: I was born on the beautiful island of St. Eustatius to Milly and Godfrey Hooker. I have four siblings – two sisters and two brothers – and four nephews. In 2002, I left for Holland and successfully completed my studies. I moved back to Statia in the summer of 2006 and then relocated to St. Maarten to attend the University of St. Maarten. At the university I pursued my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. After three years, circumstances forced me to relocate once again, but this time to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands where I am presently continuing my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. I am also focused on attaining my Master of Arts degree concentrating on Educational Administration and hope to eventually obtain my Doctorate. I love to learn, and I will continue doing so as long as God grants me the capacity to achieve all that I have set out to accomplish.

What Statia district are you from?

I am from the Bay Brow District. To many, it would be considered the countryside.

Where did you go to school on Statia?

As a child, I attended the Methodist kindergarten, and also Lynch Plantation After- School Program. I attended the Governor de Graaff Primary School and I completed my secondary education at Gwendoline van Putten School.

What is your favourite Statia memory?

Statia is filled with many memories for me. However, I always talk about the Christmas holidays that were spent at my grandmother's home on Rosemary Lane. Her name is Miriam Berkel. My aunt Hilda Berkel, who is the owner of the Chapel Piece Recreational Center, was living in Canada at the time. She would send gifts for all her nephews and nieces here on Statia, and we would all go up to grandmother's home and one person would read and distribute the gifts. Then we would all eat and enjoy each other's company till late in the morning. It was a time that I always looked forward to.

What was your biggest surprise when you left the island?

To be honest, I would say there weren't many surprises when I left Statia. I knew that I was going to Holland to study and I had more or less been prepared as to what kind of environment I was heading to. However, as prepared as I was, I didn't know what to expect exactly, which in itself was a bit scary. One experience that is quite vivid to me is the decline in my spiritual life. Looking back, I have realized the difference in mentalities when it comes to religion. Europe has a more lenient approach, whereas the Caribbean mentality is stricter. I have always held the belief that when you are involved in a relationship eventually it will lead to marriage. However, in Europe that is slightly different. It seems that common law marriages override the number of religious marriages. I didn't even know before going to Holland that living with a person for a certain number of years was considered a "marriage." While living in Europe, I often got annoyed when I was categorized as a Curaçaolenean. Because natives of Curaçao dominate the representation of people from the Lesser Antilles, Dutch often generalize everyone that comes from the Antilles as coming from Curaçao. It was amazing to me when I began teaching in schools, how few, if any at all, knew what the Netherlands Antilles was, much less St. Eustatius. However, during primary school, we had to learn everything about Holland and their royal family. At first it made me upset, but then I realized that in a few years I would be a teacher and in a position to hopefully change or adjust and prepare our future students for what lies ahead if they choose to pursue their degree in the Netherlands.

What are your accomplishments?

At present, I have earned an MBO Diploma (which is the equivalent to an associate degree) in Elementary Education. However, my diploma does not limit me to just the classroom, I am certified to work in a day-care or handicap institution if I so choose.

What are your goals?

My goals are to attain my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Elementary Education. I have often thought about pursuing my Doctorate, but I am still deciding on my subject. Calligraphy is also something that I find interesting. I have always admired persons that are skilled writers with creative penmanship and I would love the opportunity to pursue it. I also have a desire to master sign language and ultimately, I would love to work with deaf children, so if God sees fit, I will continue to pursue a degree in Special Education.

What makes you special?

Growing up in Statia helped to prepare me to survive wherever I go and to become whatever I choose. I am special to God, my family and friends and to myself. I have chosen to have a career in education, working with special needs children. I think that that is pretty special.

Where do you get your drive?

First and foremost, God is my biggest inspiration. Secondly, I have two wonderful parents and they sacrificed a lot to ensure the education of my siblings and me. They often remind us to seize the opportunity at any chance to learn as much as we can learn. My mother is a retired nurse and at present, she still tries to take advantage of all educational opportunities. My father, who is also retired, is a very skilled contractor and has contributed many of his talents to beautifying Statia. Knowing that both of my parents never had the educational opportunities that I am privileged to have today, but were still able to establish themselves at a level in the business world where they are both their own bosses, is a major contributing factor and great inspiration. That keeps me focused.

How long have you been gone?

I have been living out of Statia since 2002. I returned for a period of four months to do my student teaching in 2006 at the Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, but then relocated in August of that same year where I started my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at the University of St. Martin.

Do you have any advice for the young people of Statia?

YES. To you the students of Statia, coming from a small community is often times scary when you have to fathom the thought of leaving your parents' home for the first time. But, what you fail to realize is how valuable you all are to the future of this little rock we call our home. I urge every one of you who feels you cannot make it to simply look towards Heaven for your help that comes from the Lord. No one ever said it would be easy, but I learned that nothing in life that truly counts comes easy. Just believe in yourself and what you can do, and you can make it! You are Statia's precious gems! I think it is time for you to embrace your potential.

Are you planning to return to Statia in the future?

Yes I am. Statia is my home and I can't imagine using my talents elsewhere.