Janique McKenzie wants to be a jack of all trades and master of all. - Contributed

For Janique McKenzie, the world is her stage. Her brilliance and joie de vivre make her stand out among her peers. At 19 years old, she holds an associate degree in food and beverage management and is just a few months away from a second degree in agri-production and food systems technology.

The irrepressible young lady has achieved the unprecedented feat of capturing three farm queen titles, and plans to complete at least two more degrees before she turns 30.

"My major aim is to become a pathologist. I hope to get into a university in Cuba to pursue medicine and major in pathology and I would also like to go to Edna Manley to do performing arts. When people see me, they see talent, comedy and fun!" she declared.

Janique is adept at taking what she wants from life and going back for seconds if she feels like it. She admits that she has lived in at least four parishes, and she currently holds farm queen titles for two, as well as a National Farm Queen title.

Good advice

"I was born in Montego Bay and I lived in Trelawny for two years. I have been living in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, for the past 10 years, but I am currently living in Portland part-time as I live on campus and attend classes at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education. I am the reigning Portland Farm Queen for 2006 and I was also first runner-up in the National Farm Queen competition for 2006," she disclosed.

Admitting that being enrolled at CASE was initially her mother's idea, Janique also acknowledged that her mother gave her good advice.

"Both my mom and dad are mentors. They allow me to make up my mind about things, but there are times when they insist that I do things their way and I have never regretted it," she stated.

Be flexible

"I really wanted to go to sixth form at St. Catherine High, but my parents said that sixth form would not have been the best choice. Basically, I wanted to go because all my friends were there. However, my mom said, look on the bright side, as when I would have completed my associate degree, they would have just completed sixth form and be preparing to go to college," she continued

But how will food and beverage management, agriculture, pathology and arts factor into Janique's future?

"Having an insight in food and beverage management and getting a degree in food technology will allow me to manage a firm as a food and beverage manager and utilise technology as an agri-technologist to make a contribution in the tourism industry," she stated.

"In order to excel, you have to be able to divide yourself a million different ways and be flexible enough to take on different roles. It is for individuals to maximise on opportunities given to them.

"You can be given a small task to do, but it is how you do it that counts. You can decide to do it in a mediocre way, but you can also decide to really excel," she concluded.

Janique is a recipient of a scholarship from Capital & Credit Merchant Bank.