Sam Eudovicque
Sam Eudovicque caught my attention when he appeared in The VOICE earlier this year. After learning that he’d topped a French University in Guadeloupe, my curiosity was certainly piqued, and when I met him in Castries almost a month and a half later (the timing was fortuitous), I was grateful.
I approached him shortly after I spotted him and I expressed my desire instantly. I wanted to share his story with our readers—I had to, and thankfully Sam accepted my offer. There was no hesitation.
“Little Black Boy” with a Dream
Four days later we met again and this time we spoke extensively. I learned quite a bit about Sam during the interview, who, by the way, is “just a normal little black boy from the community of Boguis.”
He was confident and affable but I wasn’t surprised. When I first met him, he greeted me with a huge smile.
“I’m a youth advocate and educator at heart,” he told me, adding, “I nurture, mentor, and inspire young people.”
“My passion for languages landed me the job of a foreign language teacher in Saint Lucia and as of late I (was) promoted to the (role of) teacher assigned to the counsellor at the Patricia D. James Secondary School (formerly Vide Bouteille Secondary School), because of my rapport with the students and how I relate to them,” he said.
When he was younger, Sam knew he wanted to become a teacher. It was his calling and somehow, he felt it.
“I knew I wanted to become a teacher from (the time I was in) primary school. The mere fact that I was always being called upon to look (after) the class when “Miss” was gone, or to take on leadership positions which was something I enjoyed. When I went to St Mary’s College (SMC), I wanted to be part of the prefect body so I knew I had to do something where I was leading or managing people,” he said.
“While growing up, my involvement in youth activities with the National Youth Council, Red Cross, and the Boguis Football Club meant managing young people,” Sam added.
He developed a love for foreign languages at SMC and when he discovered it, Sam knew he had to pursue it wholeheartedly.
“When I entered the classroom and I heard my teacher speak French and I heard the Spanish I was like ‘wow I want to be this person’ and that’s how it started,” the 28-year-old revealed.
“My teachers Miss Fevrier (at the time and later) Miss Alexander (she was also Miss Calderon) inspired me. Also, someone who (plays) a pivotal role in my development right now (is) the Curriculum Officer for Languages Leonard Robinson,” he said.
Winning Streak: The Recipient of Many Awards
When Sam graduated from SMC, he walked away with a number of awards. That was expected. When he went to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), naturally, he did the same.
“I (received) the award for French and Spanish at the end of 2013 and after A-Level I started teaching at the Patricia D. James Secondary School, and from there when I realized that teaching was “it”, I decided to go to Teacher’s College in 2016. When I finished that programme in 2018, I graduated with numerous awards so there was the Professionalism Award, an Award for Contribution to School Life and the Teaching Practicum Award,” Sam stated.
He was also the valedictorian. Sam continued to climb the success ladder and his goals got bigger.
Sam is determined to leave an indelible mark on the lives of his students and it’s safe to say that he’s halfway there.
Touching the Lives of His Students
“Sam was promoted to the role of teacher assigned to the counseller after several students had experienced an emotional breakthrough during his first Health and Family Life Education class at the Patricia D. James School,” an article from The VOICE read in part.
It was a great victory for him and one for his students too. (When he started teaching he was only 18 years old). He also spent a lot of time with his students outside of the classroom and drew closer to them as a result.
“I decided to interact with them outside the classroom environment so during lunchtime I would sit and talk to them. I also played football and volleyball with them. After school I stayed back with them as well and I gave them extra lessons free of charge,” he said.
Although he’s currently teaching at the Patricia D. James Secondary School, Sam (hopefully) will be leaving the school soon to further his studies.
According to him, “I left last year to study, finished my first year, came back, and I’m waiting to go back to my second year once I get my visa to go to the UK for Cambridge. Then I will return to Guadeloupe to finish my Bachelor’s.”
Making Waves at University (An Incredible Honour) + Making His Country Proud
“Financial constraints forced him to forgo his university acceptance” in 2018, the article from The VOICE stated. Fortunately, in 2021, Sam was accepted by the Université des Antilles (University of the French Antilles) in Guadeloupe to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Foreign Languages.
“During a year of in-person and virtual classes for 15 courses, COVID-19 restrictions, early curfews, late nights, managing daily learning experiences through the use of three languages, political unrest (and) constant faith, Sam set a new academic record. He attained the highest average ever achieved in his programme in his year and throughout the entire university (both in Guadeloupe and in Martinique): 17.42 out of 20,” the article read in part.
Further, the article stated, Sam had previously applied for an International Mobility Programme that would allow him to spend one semester abroad at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and the University of Las Palmas in Spain respectively in his second year. The jury, however, upon discovering his outstanding performance, decided that there was only one choice for Sam: to be sent to the University of Cambridge for an entire year.
The latter is undoubtedly a great honour. Cambridge as Sam puts it, is the “crème de la crème” (the best of the best) and “I was lost for words (when) I received the call.”
Sam made it clear that his success would not be possible without Jesus Christ his Lord and Saviour.
“It’s not me, it’s not my teachers, it is God and it’s through Him I’ve been able to reach this far. My goal now is to remain faithful to Him and trust Him and continue serving Him,” he told me.
He also expressed his gratitude to those who assisted him on his journey.
“Government helped immensely and various family members and sponsors around the island also helped me so I’m really thankful for their assistance. (I’m grateful for) all the persons who prayed for me, who assisted financially, spiritually and even emotionally,” Sam stated.
He discussed his aspirations towards the end of the interview.
“When I was promoted to the assistant counsellor position, I realized that the education system here needs many more listeners (not) dictators or teachers and so I’m aspiring to become a counsellor. I’m going to do Child Psychology as my Master’s (so I can) become a clinical psychologist and open a safe space for young persons. Just a space where children can come in and express themselves, have mentors they can talk to and persons who can listen to them,” he said.
As for why he’s so passionate about helping others? It’s simple.
“Because I’ve been helped all my life,” Sam said. –Story by R. Marvlin
