Cara Webster-Connor, a young Anguillian woman, has distinguished herself in the field of law by obtaining a first class honours degree from the University of East London where she spent three years. This is considered a rare achievement and, in Cara’s case, it is an even more astounding success. It was only after leaving the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School that she was able to do her CXC ordinary and advanced level subjects and while employed to run errands for lawyers.

Cara Webster-Connor, LLB

Today she is a proud achiever and to celebrate her success, Caribbean Associated Attorneys in Anguilla which gave her much encouragement and assistance, and with which she is an associated law student, threw a party for her at Sand Piper Restaurant at Shoal Bay last Sunday, July 8.

Cara flanked by lawyers Patrick Patterson and Courtney Abel

The well-attended and informal function was attended by Resident Judge Justice Janice George-Creque, former OECS Judge, Don Mitchell, Magistrate Bernie Stevenson-Brooks, Barristers Courtney Abel, Patrick Patterson and Ronald Scipio of Caribbean Associated Attorneys, family members and others.

Cara’s family with Justice Don Mitchell

“We couldn’t allow this occasion to pass without getting together to celebrate what we all consider as a phenomenal achievement,” Courtney Abel told the gathering. “In the year [May 2007] that Cara did her degree, out of 200-odd people, I think three persons got a first class honours degree. I saw the grades on her paper and I can tell you that her first class honour was not a border line first class honour. It was very, very far beyond the threshold for a first class honours degree.” I think we should really put our hands together and applaud Cara for her wonderful success.”

Party at Sandpiper, Shoal Bay

Called to speak, Don Mitchell said: “Of course it is a wonderful achievement; Cara, you thought the worst was over, but the work is just beginning. Yes, it has been clear sailing up to now…It is incredible what you did but I want you to alert your husband and your children that the long hours that you put in your studies are nothing compared to the long hours that you are going to put in when you come back home to work.

“One of the wonders of the legal profession is that you have an extra spouse. We say you get married to the law and it is like having a new family because it requires so much dedication, so much preparation.” He called on his listeners to join him in a drink to Cara’s remarkable achievement.

Patrick Paterson said: “It is wonderful to see the sort of discipline and dedication that Cara has displayed in achieving her first class honours degree. She has set a great example for others to follow.” He stated that the law was a difficult area, but Cara’s discipline and dedication demonstrated that she had the commitment to continue to succeed. He observed that this was all the more so as she had gone through the hard way of life, working her way upward and managing to succeed thus making everyone extremely proud of her. “What she has done, in a word, is marvellous,” he added.

Cara told her story to The Anguillian and it is a fine example to other aspiring young persons willing to travel the difficult road to success.

“I was not able to finish school because I got pregnant and at that time you couldn’t go back to high school and I had to work. I started as a Junior Clerk with Webster Dyrud running errands. When I left there and went with Keithley Lake & Associates I did the same errands job but eventually was promoted to Executive Legal Clerk. I went to Caribbean Associated Attorneys after that and later became the Office Manager.

“Mr. Abel and everybody always said that I should finish my education; so I did my CXCs and A’ Levels out of school on my own to enter university. I left Anguilla in September 2004. I got some grant funds from Caribbean Associated Attorneys. I was awarded a part scholarship from the J. Vanier Hodge Fund at the National Bank and got other assistance from family and friends.”
She did her last examinations in May this year and received her classification results on July 2.

“What do you think helped you to pass at such a high level?” She was asked.
“God, strength, health and I have always been a hard worker,” she replied. “I went for a purpose and that is what I concentrated on.”
Cara also thinks that a possible reason she did so well was that she had been working in the area of law for a long time and had a good understanding of the principles of law.
She will leave Anguilla in late August to do the one -year Bar Vocational Course (the Barrister training) at the Inns of Court School of Law in Central England. After that she will return home.
Cara is the daughter of Starette Webster formerly of Island Harbour and Etienne Gumbs of The Valley and granddaughter of Clifford and Jane Webster of Island Harbour. She is married to Lyle Connor, son of Marjorie and Mitchell Connor and has two children - a daughter 18 and a son, four years old.

The Anguillian joins in extending congratulations to Cara Webster-Connor.

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