Moment's silence for late UWI student at graduation

HAD she lived, Kerissa Maria Mary Dowrich would have crossed the stage at UWI SPEC (Sport and Physical Education Centre), St Augustine, on Thursday to receive her degree diploma.

Instead, when her name is called, at the first set of physical graduation ceremonies taking place since covid19, a moment of silence will be observed for the 22-year-old graduate. She died in a car accident on October 14.

Two friends, who were with her when the car was involved in a crash with a pickup at La Romaine, Dana Corbie and a male friend, are still warded at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH).

Dowrich died on the spot.

Her mother Karen Thompson told the Newsday she understands the condition of the two survivors has been described as critical.

She said Corbie was a law student at the UWI Cave Hill campus, Barbados, but she does not know much about the male friend, whose name she believes is Dominic.

The driver and occupants of the pickup were treated and discharged.

Still trying to come to terms with the loss of her daughter, between tears, Thompson said she is not certain if she will attend the graduation ceremony.

“I already have her certificate.”

She said UWI's vice principal brought her daughter’s certificate to her St Vincent Street, San Fernando home on Monday.

She was also given the cap and gown she would have worn over the white dress her mother bought for her to wear on graduation day.

Instead Dowrich was buried in her graduation dress, after a service at Christ the King RC Church, Blache-Fraser Street, San Fernando, last Thursday. Many of her UWI friends and classmates attended the funeral .

Her sister Chanice, delivering the eulogy, recalled, “In this past year especially, her faith grew in God, much stronger. She attended mass whenever she could, meditated on the Word and wrote down what she was thankful for.

“These last few weeks, she was in a peaceful and happy stage in her life, and she said that peace was important to her. She was ready for her next stage in her life, and she was eager to plunge into the working world and make her mark on the networking industry.

Dowrich was laid to rest at the Roodal Cemetery.

Thompson said UWI sent two invitations to her family to attend Thursday’s ceremony, but is still not certain if she will be able to do so.

Dowrich graduated with a BSc in information technology with a minor in international relations, with honours.

While waiting to graduate and get into the field of networking, she got a temporary job at Fun Station, La Romaine. When she finished work on October 14, she went out with her friends to lime and buy food, but ended up in the fatal accident.

There was some uncertainty about who was driving the Toyota Aqua, as Dowrich was found in the driver’s seat.

But her mother explained, “Kerissa was not the driver. Her car was at home. The impact of the accident caused her to fall over the driver’s seat.”

She said investigations are continuing and the police have been keeping her informed of their progress.

Graduation ceremonies will begin at the UWI SPEC from Thursday and will continue twice daily, at 10 am and 4 pm, until October 28

The theme for this year’s ceremonies is Rooted. Ready. Rising, in commemoration of the university’s 75th anniversary.

University chancellor Robert Bermudez will preside over all ceremonies.