The Daily Herald -Nicole Chantal de Weever

Recap your story: Time passes so quickly. It feels like yesterday that I left St. Maarten to live in Virginia with my loving aunt Tessy de Weever and her four beautiful daughters. I could not have asked for a smoother transition. My aunt dedicated her life to taking us to the best educational programs and activities around. I practically lived at The Fairfax Ballet School and spent most of my time involved in tons of extra activities at Centreville High School. Although I knew I had a strong passion for dance and the arts, my academics were most important. I strived for getting good grades. I am a strong believer in the importance of a great education.

After graduating from Centerville High School, I attended New York University. At the university I had access to the best professors and dance teachers that New York City had to offer. I took full advantage of all the opportunities, from student showings to collaborating with faculty.

After graduating from University I attended many auditions and had numerous opportunities. I travelled around the world performing and free-lancing with different choreographers. I can now say that everything that I have experienced has taught me something valuable, even when challenges arose along the way. All of my hard work, determination and struggles have lead me to this very place, a place where I have complete understanding of how to value what I have accomplished so far. And to realize how important it is not to be complacent, that the road to my life's success has just begun. I just have to remain pliable and continue to evolve.

Leaving home was crucial to my development, and as I look back, I know I would not have done it differently. I strongly encourage young people to leave home. It is the only way they can fully explore themselves and find out who they really are and what they want to become.

What St. Maarten district are you from?Cay Hill, St. Maarten

Where did you go to school on St. Maarten? I attended MAC School and St. Maarten Academy

What is your favourite St. Maarten memory? The most significant memories evolve around family gatherings. Spending time with my family is crucial and rejuvenating, my family keeps me centred. I have amazing childhood memories too numerous to mention.

What was your biggest surprise when you left the island? The biggest surprise was realizing how different yet very similar people can be. Here I was, very young, leaving home, and facing different climate challenges and customs, but in the midst of it all I found that there was more that I had in common with people than I thought.

What are your accomplishments? I have been blessed to be a part of preserving The Dunham Technique in a documentary filmed by the American Library of Congress. I was able to work with the legendary Katherine Dunham in preserving her codified technique that can be viewed at The American Library of Congress Museum. I have worked with numerous dance pioneers such as Katherine Dunham, George Faison, Kathy Grant, Bill T Jones, Walter Nicks and Glory Van Scott. I have appeared on numerous commercials, music videos and movies. I have performed on NBC in a special hosted by Ann Curry, The View hosted by Barbara Walters, Comedy Central by Stephen Colbert, PBS Dancing With Life, a special about the life and works of Katherine Dunham, and, most recently I have been interviewed by Frank Mastropolo on a Fox Prime Time Special about foreigners that have successfully accomplished "The American Dream." At present I am a featured performer in the hit Broadway show Fela produced by Jay Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

What are your goals? I want to make a positive impact on my community and the world at large. I want to change lives, and move and inspire people to do the same.

What makes you special? I believe that I am sincere and gracious and a person that is approachable and loving. Those qualities speak for themselves, I believe. I am also a lover of people. I consider myself to be a "Recovering Undercover Over lover", thanks to Erykah Badu.

Where do you get your drive? My drive comes from knowing that only I have complete control and responsibility to create and shape my future. And that the only way that I can do it successfully is to keep focused and stay insistent about making things happen. I know that nothing comes easily. I have always had to work extremely hard, especially when it came to finding work in a foreign country, where I consider myself to be a small fish in a big pond. And I am also inspired by the story of my grandmother, Agatha Vlaun "Mother", who was by far one of the hardest working women I knew. Her story taught me to realize how blessed my life is. She had to endure so much. If the ocean and Salt Pond could speak, I am sure they could tell you how hard she worked to support her children. God bless her. Her story is the fuel that I use as a tool to propel me forward. My family plays the most important part; they have supported me and guided me through this entire journey. I have climbed and stood strong on the backs of hard working ancestors "ASHE".

How long have you been gone? I have been away from home for 15 years.

Do you have any advice for the young people of St. Maarten? Remember that you have complete control and responsibility for the life you want or for the life you want to create. When you are passionate about something, don't let anyone discourage you. Anything that you desire to be or want to become is attainable with hard work, extreme focus and determination. And visualizing is also a great tool. I can honestly say that seeing the things you want clearly in your mind helps the process of making it become your reality. Speaking things into existence helps as well. Your words and thoughts are extremely powerful. Use them to your benefit.

Are you planning to return to St. Maarten in the future? St. Maarten is my home and I definitely see myself there in the future.