Whitney Brown – A story of Courage

Whitney Brown

“Thank you! Thank you!” were the only words that the Northlink College Annual Student Award Ceremony Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Award Winner could say when she received this prestigious award at the Student Award Ceremony that was held at Cape Events Centre (His People Church) in Goodwood in June 2016.

A very emotional Whitney Brown, single mother and ex-Northlink College Protea Campus student, took to the stage and received her CEO Awards with a capacity audience on their feet cheering and applauding her achievements that she has accomplished. Her story is truly a great encouragement for any prospective student.

For two years she was the only breadwinner in the family while her parents both became unemployed. This lead to her attending college during the day and then having to work at night during the week and weekends. She also assisted the local crèche when she could and helped out at the Heideveld Sports Club as an administrative assistant. While she did her level two Finance, Economics and Accounting, Whitney achieved an average of 91.7%. In her second year, while she did her level 3, she suffered a medical condition which lead to her being hospitalised for a long period. This meant that Whitney might have had cancel her studies, but did not, she completed her level 3 with an average of 90.8%.

During her level 4, her final year, she had to attend to family member that fell terminally ill. This again threatened her academic career but yet…it did not stop her. Despite this, she continued to work hard and achieved an average of 89% in her level 4 year.

During May, Whitney received the Top Achiever Award in Finance, Economics and Accounting National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 at the Public Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Award Ceremony – Western Cape. She not only walked away with that award but she was awarded the Top Overall Business Studies Student NC(V) in the Western Cape.

“Whitney is truly a great example of hard work and perseverance. She that continued following her dreams and rose above her circumstances,” says Leon Beech, Northlink College Principal.

Whitney adds that Robin Pieters’, the entertainment for the award ceremony and recent The Voice SA finalist, rendition of “wind beneath my wings” fitted the occasion as the students acknowledged their parents, guardians and loved ones truly have been the wind beneath their wings and she would just like to thank everyone that supported and believed in her during the past three years.

She will be continuing her education at Northlink College as she will be enrolling to study Financial Management at the Tygerberg Campus in 2017.