GoodHeart | Madison Waul Gordon graduates UPenn with top honours

Graduation season is always a pleasurable one for our family. Because of our size, the Wauls and Gordons enjoy the good fortune of celebrating students who perform at exceptional academic levels every year. Members of our family have studied in some of the best institutions worldwide and are lettered in professions across a wide spectrum, ranging from the arts to technology. This season belongs to Madison Alexia Waul Gordon, who earned a Bachelor of Arts with the highest honours — Summa Cum Laude — from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).

At 21, Madison completed her coursework for a triple major in philosophy, politics and economics with a 4.0 GPA, placing her among the top one per cent of her class.

After two days of graduation ceremonies in Philadelphia, we hosted a dinner in her honour.

“I am so grateful for the opportunities to have learned from and lead others, as well as learn more about myself. I couldn’t have done any of this without the irreplaceable support system of my family and friends," said Madison. 

My son, Cole Gordon Cooper, who matriculated as head boy from Liguanea Prep School and was among Jamaica's top PEP performers, expressed admiration for his cousin, applauding her work ethic and noting his amazement at her diligence and conscientiousness despite maintaining a social life. 

The teacher in me is grateful that he witnessed Madison’s application and attention to delivering high-quality work to set herself up for academic success. And even more impressive is how she has tapped her own insights to arrive at this moment.

As impressive as Madison’s accomplishments are, they are her parents’ too. Through dual country parenting, her mom, Marjorie Plunkitt and dad, Sheldon Gordon, worked purposefully to support their daughter. Marjorie established sound practices, and the foundation of the Jamaican early education platform was a strong pillar on which Madison was able to build.

 However, as a kid migrating to the United States, it was not easy for her to adjust to life. My brother became even more formidable in our family’s eyes when she joined him there. His love, discipline and consistency were evident in the exceptional parenting of his daughter. Madison was challenged at the very beginning and was dealt a tough blow when she did not get accepted to a school she wanted to attend. That bolt of failure was simply a stop sign and preparation for what was to be.

 At her grandmother’s encouragement and with the help of her aunt Deeg (Dionne Gordon), Madison applied and was accepted to the Greens Farms Academy (GFA) in Westport, Connecticut. Her application essay was one of gratitude and honour for Hortense Waul, her grandmother, who made the tremendous sacrifice for her to be able to access such opportunities. 

As I assisted Madison through her French lessons, we witnessed the rigours and difficulties she encountered in those early high-school years. However, she soldiered through and thrived at GFA. When she neared the end, everyone wanted a say in where she would go to college, but Madison chose her own path and earned a place at UPenn.

Madison took advantage of scholarships and explored the full range of opportunities. How she has managed to accomplish all that she has is remarkable. While maintaining an A+ average, her extracurricular activities are extensive. She played basketball and was the captain of her winning Connecticut Regional volleyball team at GFA. Her educational summer camp experience in Jamaica encouraged her volunteerism, where she was a counsellor for two years. She also volunteered with the charity Habitat for Humanity in the Greater Bridgeport area of Connecticut.

This multidimensional kid took a language sojourn in Spain. Acting and dancing are also part of her resume. She starred as Sarabi, the mother of Simba, in GFA’s production of The Lion King. And she sings, plays the piano, alto saxophone, drums and writes beats and rhymes. 

“Madison is a leader in our chorus and shows a remarkable amount of focus, drive, and energy during each and every rehearsal. She is a natural musician and has a strong singing voice. Her range is fantastic," said Elizabeth James, one of her music teachers.

At UPenn, Madison was the president of the co-ed business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, an executive board member of Black Wharton, and did international impact consulting. The Daily Pennsylvanian, as well as other UPenn press, published her work and, while a junior, Madison studied at King’s College in London. “I am so excited to see how my growth and experience from this chapter will carry me forward,” said the graduate.

Madison has interned with a couple of firms in New York City for the past two summers and will take a position with one on Wall Street in July. I have encouraged her to take some acting classes while there because I believe she is a performing artist at heart. For the moment, Madison has chosen to pursue a career in finance. But, in another moment, as her grandfather Keith Gordon alluded to in his speech in her honour, she can, if she so chooses, dance her way into any field with ease, because all will be well with this hard-working, radiant and talented young woman.

[email protected]