Spotlight on Kelli Ashley Armstrong

Kelli Ashley Armstrong is a nineteen year old future Environmental Engineer, currently in her last year in Chemistry programme at the College of the Bahamas. She enrolled in College of the Bahamas in August of 2006 after graduating with honours from Sunland Baptist Academy in June of 2006 with 7 B.J.Cs 7 B.G.C.S.Es and several academic awards and merits.

Kelli is a very industrious, ambitious and friendly young lady. She is a lover of music and plays several instruments. She started playing piano when she was only four years old and since then also started playing guitar and flute. For Kelli music is a way to escape when she’s feeling overwhelmed. This talented, musically inclined teen not only plays music but sings and writes music as well. Her pet peeve is, hearing more experienced people say, “the real world” when talking to high school students, as if they’re living in a fake one.

How is college life different from high school?
In college you really learn not only what it means to be independent, but responsible. Unlike high school, there is no one ‘running behind you’ telling you to go to class, or do your homework. So, with all the freedom I now have, I really have to use my time wisely. With so many other things going on around me, it is too easy to get distracted and fall behind.

Was it difficult to achieve the excellent grades you got in high school when you went to college?
Definitely! As the end of the semester approaches, the intensity of the work load steadily increases requiring more and more effort – which I wasn’t applying right away, so when I noticed that I was achieving mediocre grades, I knew I was capable of much better. Staying focused really isn’t easy. With the material I’m required to study it’s very easy to get overwhelmed but when I do I take a break and remind myself that whatever I’m doing today is necessary to get me where I want to be tomorrow.


How have you changed since you finished high school?
I’ve matured since high school. I’ve grown to be more responsible and independent and definitely more appreciative for my blessings as a result of what I’ve been exposed to since then.


What are some pressures that you have faced?
No matter where you go there is always peer pressure, but I can honestly say that peer pressure never really got the best of me. The things that everyone else was doing always really annoyed me because I support individuality. So I just encourage others to be themselves.

What are some of your hobbies?
Lately I’ve gotten into modeling. I’ve always loved going to the beach, and spending quality time with my family and friends, but I also enjoy my alone time which I often use to practice my music. I play several instruments, a few of which I own – a flute, a piano and a classical guitar.

How can young ladies like you make the world a better place?
I guess a good start would be starting with yourself, realizing that you can always be better person and work on those things to improve your whole being; and then, we can encourage others to do the same. The world needs change but changing the world starts with ourselves.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would cut my hair. My dad and my brother won’t let me. :)

Is there anyone in your life you can always count on?
Jesus never fails! My two favorite people on earth are my sister and my brother. Whenever I need something (which is often) I can always call on one or the other (or both) J

Where do you go or what do you do when you get really angry?
I try not to let things upset me because to me being angry is wasted energy that can be used for something more worth my time. But on the rare occasions that I do get really upset I scream in a pillow to let it all go.

Where do you want to be in five years?
If I’m done with university by then, I’d like to work with a few organizations like the Water and Sewage Corporation, the Solid Waste Management Development Company and the Ministry of Environment, to gain experience in my field then establish my own consulting firm.

What is the most important thing that you would like young ladies to remember about you after reading this article?
That I’m a young lady just like them and I’m driven, I hope that I inspire them to follow their dreams and persevere when the way is unclear!