She was nervous at first and was a bit taken aback at being chosen for such a momentous and historic occasion. SWMC receptionist, Valerie Whyte was one of two employees chosen to raise the first ever SWMC flag at the entrance of the headquarters in Taylor’s Range in honor of the corporation’s 20th anniversary. This was a shock to Valerie, as she considers herself a newbie to the SWMC. She’s only with the corporation for two years thus far. “It was a shock; a surprise for me. I didn’t know that I would be in a position to actually raise a flag,” she tells The SWMC Insider. What was even more shocking for her, which fed her nervousness, was that she had to raise the flag in front all the dignitaries and guests who were invited for the celebration. The special Annual General Meeting (AGM) observing the 20th anniversary was held after the flag raising ceremony attended by government officials and invited guests.

Valerie was a bit reluctant at first, but was encouraged by Yvonne Brown, another SWMC employee from the landfill who was also chosen to raise the flag with Valerie. “I was kind of shy first but I overcome it. I spoke to Yvonne and she encouraged me and told me Valerie you could do; it lets do it,” she recalls.

Valerie recalls how she felt when General Manager Alphonso Bridgewater asked her to raise the flag. “I spoke to Mr. Bridgewater and he said ‘Valerie come on man, you don’t resist doing anything. I know you could do it’ and that’s when I get a little more motivated and went and do it,” she says.

Why me? Valerie could have asked. Two of the earliest members of the SWMC from when the corporation was first formed in the late 90s are still with the corporation today. Any of the two, or both for that matter, could have done it. For her, she believes she was asked to do it because of her willingness and dedication to the SWMC. The gesture means a lot to her. “I am one of the newest members…and I guess I actually try and fit to do everything as much as I can. I don’t know if that’s why they chose me because I don’t say no to anything,” she says. “That (gesture) made me more confident in myself…it was good. I really enjoyed it.”