Do you all remember Judith Pantaleo, the mathematics genius and basketballer from the Class of 2021? Allow us to jog your memory—doesn't this face look familiar?
Judith was among the nine alums who were offered a Mastercard Foundation scholarship at the United States International University (USIU) in Kenya in 2022. While at St Jude's, Judith was not only the top student in mathematics but also a great basketball player who people loved to watch. Her star is still shining at USIU, now even brighter.
Judith has been on the dean's list since her first term at university. The dean's list is a distinction given to students who get a GPA average not lower than 3.5 from the highest possible of 4.0. Guess what? Judith sits at 3.8! As a matter of fact, she is the highest-performing USIU student from Tanzania.
Being on the dean's list did not take away Judith's passion for basketball. Upon her arrival at USIU, she joined the university basketball team, which was already making waves in the highly competitive Kenya Division One League. Despite being a new player, her skills and determination quickly earned her a position in the team's starting five. Her team went on to be the Division One League champion. Being the champion automatically gained the team entry to the Kenya Premier League, the highest basketball league for clubs in Kenya.
Last year, Judith played in the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) 3X3 Basketball games in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she set a single-game record for scoring eight 3-pointers in a semi-final game. Their team's incredible performance landed them a spot in the FISU University World Cup 3x3 Basketball held in Doha, Qatar! That's right – she was right there on the court, representing in the prestigious tournament. Her talent and dedication went on to attract the attention of scouts from Equity Bank basketball club in Kenya. They recruited her to join the club and represent them in the Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) in Alexandria, Egypt. This year, Judith went on to be the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) competitions. She doesn't stop, does she?
A paragon of multitasking, Judith truly does it all—and doing it well! Picture this: acing her academics, slaying with her talent, and did we mention she's a shining star of discipline too? Yes, she's setting the bar sky-high for what it means to excel in every aspect of life.
"Reflecting on the path that led me to this moment, I can't help but express my sincere gratitude to The School of St Jude. It was there that I was first exposed to a lot of sports and opportunities that laid a foundation for my academic and basketball journey. The lessons I learned and the experiences I gained there paved the way for the success that I now enjoy on the global stage," Judith explains.
If Judith did it, so can you. Not necessarily playing in the World Cup, but it could be securing your dream job or getting that scholarship that will open the world for you as it did to Judith. The possibilities are endless, and we are here to lend you a hand in turning them into a reality.
So what's next? Do you aspire to be an international scholar like Judith or secure a job in the industry of your dreams? Well, our doors are always open for you. Be it scholarship applications, job mock interviews, CV and cover letter writing, or discussing possible paths to pursue based on your skills and qualifications--we can't wait to work with you to bring your dreams to life. Karibu sana to the Alumni office!
