Lindener Aqilah Shepherd reflects on her journey to the Bar

By Utamu Belle

As a child, now 24-year-old Lindener Aqilah Shepherd had always aspired to have a career which would enable her to change her underprivileged circumstances and make a positive difference in society. As such, when she entered the Third Form at the Mackenzie High School in Linden, she decided that she would pursue Law.
Reflecting on her journey, Shepherd who was recently admitted to the Bar, said her interest in Law grew even more while pursuing her Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) studies.
Having done exceptionally well in both CAPE Law units, Shepherd decided that Law was indeed the right choice, and this motivated her to further her studies at the University of Guyana. On Wednesday November 11, 2020, Shepherd’s dream came even closer to reality when her petition was presented by Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Charles, before the Honourable Justice Brassington Reynolds.
Shepherd was born in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). She attended the Watooka Day Primary School, then later went on to attend the Christian Union Junior Academy in Antigua. She later returned to Guyana to complete her primary education at the Regma Primary School in Linden. Having been successful in her Examinations, she went on to the community’s top high school, the Mackenzie High School where she later wrote 11 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.
Afterwards, she wrote 5 subjects at the CAPE Examinations, achieving passes in all subjects. In 2015, Shepherd was accepted into the University of Guyana where she read for a Bachelor’s of Law Degree (LL. B). During her studies at University, she also taught CAPE Law at her alma mater the Mackenzie High School.
Reminiscing, Shepherd recalled that this required her to travel over fifty-six miles- one way during weekdays to complete the requisite syllabus with the students. She revealed that managing school and work was logistically challenging, but she thrived amidst the circumstances.
In 2018, Shepherd was accepted into the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and after completing two years of studies at the said institution she attained her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) in September, 2020.
She recalled that during her studies at the University of Guyana, she was an active member and leader of several youth groups including Moot Court Guyana, Morning Star Paramilitary Club, the University of Guyana Seventh-day Adventist Student Society and the Turkeyen Campus Lions Club. She continued by being active in various groups during her studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School.
During her time there, she functioned as treasurer of the Inter varsity Christian Fellowship and was an active member of the Welfare Department, the HWLS choir and the Human Rights Committee.
Presently, Shepherd also serves as secretary of the youth group, the Linden Youth Leaders, an organization formed to engage youths in the community on self-development. According to Shepherd, the organization is also committed to the vision of reducing poverty and inequality as well as building social cohesion. She noted that the group also looks forward to forging close working relationships with the Government of Guyana, as activities are supported by various Ministries. The group, she noted also extends an arm to the Diplomatic Community.
Additionally, Shepherd currently serves as President of the Mackenzie High School Arts Achievers Alumini. Being a former Arts stream student herself, she noted that she and her team were motivated to inspire and encourage students from the Arts Stream by awarding the top 5 Arts stream CSEC performers at the MHS.
“There was always a stigma attached to Arts, so my team and I wanted to encourage Arts students. We believe that by doing so, it would improve students’ performance and in turn change the negative perspective of the Arts Stream at Mackenzie High School”, she noted.
As she embarks on her career path, Shepherd believes that her journey from “humble beginnings” can serve as motivation to others who are aspiring to achieve in life.
“You should never allow your circumstances to deter you from going after your goals. I came from humble beginnings, but I never let that stop me from going after the goals that I set for myself. I always set high standards for myself, then I would place my plans/goals before God and work to achieve them. I believe this simple strategy can be employed to achieve your goals”, she advised.
Photos attached of Shepherd, Shepherd with her family on being admitted to the Bar and Shepherd with the class of 2020