"Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you."

Dedication

This biography is lovingly dedicated to the memory of a devoted individual whose quiet strength and steadfast encouragement helped shape every chapter of Dr. Audrica King-Newry’s journey. Even after his passing, the faith in her potential, pride in her goals, and constant support during her years of work and study continue to guide her.

It is also dedicated to her three sons, who have seen their mother work, study, lead, and serve at the same time. To them, she offers not only provision but also an example: that adversity does not define a person, that faith can anchor a storm, and that discipline and kindness can open doors that once seemed closed.

Finally, this work is dedicated to her parents, two educators who planted the first seeds of learning and service in her heart, and to every young person who has ever looked at their environment and wondered if they could rise beyond it. Throughout her life, Dr. Audrica shows that the choices made today can transform tomorrow.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

Phase 1: Roots in a House of Learning

A fantastic story always starts long before the main character realizes she’s learning anything. Dr. Audrica King-Newry’s early years were not formed by privilege or assurance, but by the strong, steady presence of parents who believed deeply in the potential of education to change lives. In Nassau, she was the youngest child in a large family. When she got to her new home, teaching was not just a job; it was a way of life, a heartbeat, and an inheritance. Mr. Arlington King, her father, was a committed math instructor who traveled all around Nassau and the Family Islands for work. Every year, her mother, who taught arts and crafts, brought color and imagination into the classroom. They brought both discipline and creativity, order and freedom, to their home.

Dr. Audrica remembers the quiet rituals of getting ready from when she was very little. She remembers the sound of chalk dusting across a board, blue ink staining lesson-plan pages, and the subtle hum of conversations about pupils who needed help, clarity, or a second chance. These weren’t made-up stories; they were part of her everyday life. She learned the language of commitment by watching her father stay up late to study or her mother make craft projects for the classroom that would make a youngster smile. Even when she was a little kid, she knew that teaching was a way to give back, a promise to help others, and a duty that went beyond the walls of the school.

She grew up in a poor neighborhood that she openly calls a “ghetto,” and the things she saw there could have made her dreams smaller. A lot of the kids around her had trouble because they didn’t have enough money, were too busy, or were under a lot of social pressure. It would have been natural if she had let her situation affect her imagination as well. But instead, she became a passive observer, realizing early on that the environment does not determine fate. She saw that even when things were challenging, people had choices—not just about what to do, but also about how to see themselves. This insight was one of the first seeds of her philosophy: where you start doesn’t have to be where you end up.

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

Phase 2 : Courts, Classrooms, and the Power of Discipline

By the time Dr. Audrica King-Newry was a teenager, she had already learned two important things from her childhood home: the strict discipline she had from her father and the creative steadfastness she got from her mother. However, it was at Our Lady’s Primary School, H. O. Nash Junior High, and later C. V. Bethel Senior High School that these traits really started to take shape.

Phase 1 laid the groundwork, and Phase 2 was where those seeds were watered, tested, stretched, and strengthened. She learned not just what she could achieve, but also who she was becoming throughout these years.

Her teachers at Our Lady’s Primary School instantly observed a trait that would stay with her for the rest of her life: she paid attention. She was the kind of kid who listened carefully before asking questions, did her homework thoughtfully, and sat up a little straighter when the subject needed her to pay attention. Her parents had clear rules for her: be proud of your work, do your best, and respect your skills. But for young Audrica, those expectations were not pressure but personal responsibility.

This responsibility began to pay off by the time she moved to H. O. Nash Junior High School. Her name was often on the Honor Roll, which indicated that she was smart and worked hard all the time. She adored knowing everything there was to know. She liked learning about how mathematics worked, how tales unfolded, and how fixing problems took time. She was already showing signs of the traits that would later define her work life: being clear, paying attention to details, and having a strong respect for doing things the correct way.

There was nothing exciting about these years in school. Instead, they were defined by continuous greatness. Often, consistent excellence, not shouting brilliance, is what shows that greatness is on the way.

The classroom taught her how to think, and the basketball court taught her how to feel. When she started going to C. V. Bethel Senior High School, she joined a group of pupils that were ambitious, full of energy, and determined. It was here that she learned about competitive sports for the first time, notably basketball and volleyball. These two activities would have a bigger impact on her life than she knew at the time.

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”

Phase 3 : Hospitality, Service, and the Making of a People-Centred Leader

Dr. Audrica King-Newry left the safe, regulated world of school and entered the broad, unpredictable world of adulthood. She brought with her the discipline of the court, the focus of the classroom, and the support of a family that valued success. But, as many young adults learn, understanding how to work hard doesn’t always tell you where to work.

Like many other people just starting out in their jobs, she had to answer the question that influences so many young lives: What path would let her show off her strengths? Her parents had previously hoped she would become a doctor, which is a fine and recognized career, but she felt that the medical sector didn’t fit her natural tendencies. She had learned more about herself: she liked being around people, she did well in changing situations, and she had a natural talent for calming people down, speaking plainly, and gaining their trust.

She wanted to help, but she wanted to help people, not rules. And so, almost instinctively, she was pulled to the hospitality industry, which is all about people.

Her first big move into the working world was when she became a Guest Service Representative at Comfort Suites Paradise Island. It was a job that would introduce her to the core of the hotel industry—front-line service—and it was in this role that she first realized the significance of greeting guests warmly, communicating clearly, and addressing problems with genuine care.

Every day had a different rhythm: some guests came in thrilled or fatigued, some with complaints, some with thanks, and all with hopes. For many workers, hospitality is just a job. It turned into a place for her to learn about how others act. She noticed how people acted when they felt heard, how tensions eased when explanations were clear, and how even tiny things like a smile, a patient explanation, or a soothing tone could transform the whole tone of an engagement.

She picked things up quickly. She made reservations, helped guests check in and out, worked with housekeeping and maintenance, and stayed calm when things got stressful. The front desk is generally the busiest portion of a hotel, where mistakes, guest complaints, and scheduling problems all end up. She handled it with a mix of firmness and compassion that few new employees had.

Her bosses saw it. Her coworkers had faith in her. People who came to see her recalled her. The recognition was the first clue that hospitality was more than a job; it was the place where her skills could improve.

Note of Thanks

In reflecting upon the journey that shaped her life, Dr. Audrica King-Newry extends heartfelt gratitude to the many people who walked beside her, encouraged her, and strengthened her along the way. She acknowledges, first and foremost, the unwavering foundation laid by her parents, whose values of discipline, humility, and service continue to guide every decision she makes. Their example remains one of the greatest gifts of her life.

She offers profound thanks to her children, who have been her motivation, her inspiration, and her enduring source of joy. Their resilience and love carried her through moments of challenge and reminded her daily of the beauty found in purpose and perseverance.

She also expresses deep appreciation for her extended family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and church community, each of whom played a meaningful role in her growth. Their prayers, encouragement, and presence helped her rise stronger after seasons of hardship and loss.

Dr. Audrica is especially thankful for the memory of her late husband, whose faith in her dreams still shows in her work. His support remains a quiet yet powerful light in the story of her life.

Finally, she extends sincere thanks to every individual—past and present—whose paths intersected with hers. Whether through teaching, mentoring, leading, or serving, they have contributed to the woman she is today. This biography, and the journey it represents, is a tribute to them all.

Thank You
– Dr. Audrica King-Newry