The Davianne Tucker journey
SOMETIMES PEOPLE are beautiful. Not just in looks or what they say but in what they are. This epitomises the life of 24-year-old Davianne Tucker.
Known by most as the past Guild president of the University of the West Indies (UWI, Mona) and Sagicor’s ball of fire, Tucker is more than what is perceived at first glance. Her radiant smile betrays her past life of abuse and struggles to self-actualisation.
Growing up in Brown’s Town, St Ann, Tucker was not your average female. Her parents separated when she was one and was raised by her hard-working father, David, who stopped at nothing to make her happy.
With a smile spreading across her face, Tucker recalls her routine days with her dad that often involved days at the beach, trips to other parishes and sitting by the bleachers as he played football. He took on the role of best friend to his daughter and worked tirelessly at Noranda Bauxite as a field mechanic.
“There was this mutual agreement that we’d look out for each other. We never spoke about it but I know that I protect my daddy and he protects me, “the proud daddy’s girl expressed as she described their special bond.
THE ROCKY ROAD TO SELF-ACCEPTANCE
Tucker was ‘grade captain’ and often played the role of teacher’s pet. This did not get her much likes from her peers and for a while that perplexed the then 8-year-old.
“I never understood why students would always vote for me but didn’t want to be my friend. So from a young age I was soul-searching, wondering why don’t they like me. That was the process I went through to start building a backbone,” Tucker explained.
She then understood that she would never blend, she would stand out, but stand out for good things. Even though it was hard to accept and got pretty lonely, Tucker knew she had purpose. Graduating from Brown’s Town Primary as head girl, Tucker advanced to Westwood High School in 2004 where she continued on her path of leadership. However, by grade 9, Tucker became overwhelmed by the hatred she received from students. This threw a lot of jabs to her confidence and eventually stole her voice and sense of acceptance. Obtaining science subjects in high school, Tucker was pushed by her community to further her science studies at the university level, despite her dislike for it. Tucker became a ‘zombie’ to the world and felt like a failure to her family. By the end of her first semester at UWI, Tucker fell sick. After many doctor visits, tests and reflection, Tucker realised that the stressor from pursuing science and technology was causing her anxiety, and knew that she had to make a change. Soon after, she became a part of the marketing department and started to balance her life. Being a servant to the core, Tucker became active on her dorm hall – Preston – and eventually volunteered herself to the Guild of Students. She was also asked to be the host of CVM’s Campus Vibes, where she saw a burst of light and life in herself. Without intention but in grace and love for people, Tucker found herself as president of the Guild.
ABUSE OF BEAUTY
Her voice sank as she shared a very low point in her life. She felt invisible and lifeless having to constantly fight the sad and sinful touches of her cousin. Being both ashamed and afraid to tell her father, Tucker suffered silently. After developing a mass on her cervix, David had the
heartbreak of finding out his daughter was being hurt without his knowledge. This was especially hurtful, knowing that he depended on family as a means of making ends meet.
“In the time I shut down, mentally and psychically, I was nonexistent. I didn’t want to experience the damage or feel like I wanted it. I told myself, you’re not this person,” she said with weight in her voice.
This created long-term damage that Tucker is sometimes unaware of. She struggled to be comfortable with men in her space, but what took her years to understand is what has helped her to relate to her peers and to be a friend and leader.
RAY OF SUNSHINE AMID ADVERSITIES
The abuse took something unexplainable from Tucker and made her second-guess her actions and love for people. She was unable to hug or even say ‘I love you’ to her father, but because of her experiences, Tucker was able to provide support to women who suffered from the same things she did.
Through her admiration for her father’s love and stewardship, Tucker continues to be a ray of sunshine in the lives around her. She is a true reflection of courage, love, persistence, forgiveness and positivity.
Tucker, who now holds the post of marketing officer of public relations and corporate social responsibility at Sagicor, has big dreams and aspirations. She hopes to one day be as successful and beautiful at heart as her role models, Richard Byles, Nicole
Campbell and Ellen Degeneres.
I never understood why students would always vote for me but didn’t want to be my friend. So from a young age I was soul-searching, wondering why don’t they like me. That was the process I went through to start building a backbone.