Curlene McDowall is manager of ADL Adrenalin Dancers
Are you where you’ve always wanted to be?
I am on my way to that lifetime goal, where I am comfortable doing what I love and at the same time helping others to stay in the positive zone. Being self-motivated was never difficult for me, but as a leader and manager, I felt the need to motivate myself in every way, so I can stay ahead to help those who may be struggling in deportment or self-development.
What is your biggest professional challenge?
My biggest challenge thus far is acknowledging what needs to be done but not having the equipment or resources to complete the job. With technology being upgraded constantly, you have to stay connected to everything that involves your business or you will fall behind.
Working with the ADL Adrenalin Dancers has been a challenge mainly for a lack of space. I personally would love to see the urban street dancers comfortable in their own zone. The infrastructure has to be created by us to make it easier for other urban groups coming after us to have a home base and some place to showcase their art form to the general public.
What is your biggest life challenge?
Life is a challenge. I have overcome so many challenges in my life that the biggest is yet to come. I have been in a position where I had to cancel meetings, social events [and so on] due to recurring health issues. My body would be lame but my brain never stopped working. Once God give me the strength to stay healthy, I will strive for excellence in whatever I do.
When you look to the future what do you see?
I see myself as someone who will refocus and probably start my own charity for struggling women, with a vision to help those who need help to get to that comfort zone. Also, working with ADL Adrenalin, developing our image regionally. Our aim is to work within the school system to do dance workshops for children. The future has no limits.
What is your favourite pastime?
My schedule has been so busy that I have not sat and watched a good romantic movie in years. I also used to cuddle up with a nice exotic romantic book and sip a glass of my favourite, Baileys. I look forward to rekindling these pastimes.
What is your favourite meal?
I am a shrimp lover. Just make sure it has sweet and sour sauce on the side, served with asparagus and garlic buttered corn complemented with vegetable fried rice. My favourite Bajan meal is breadfruit and salt fish.
On Saturday nights where are you likely to be?
If ADL Adrenalin has a performance, I will be there giving my support and just enjoying the moment, making sure that we executed what we came to do. Otherwise, I spend the weekends with my family who sometimes I may not see during the week even though we live in the same house.
What upsets you the most?
I get really upset when people treat you as incompetent and refuse to sit and discuss challenges or issues that can be easily solved. If you are going to tell someone what they have done wrong, you should have an explanation or guide to show them how they can improve on it so it doesn’t recur – it’s that simple!
What is your guiding philosophy?
The Ellerslie Secondary School motto: Make wise use of your time. My school’s motto has always been my strong pillar in everything I do and it has kept me grounded and focused. I believe that time is precious and should never be wasted.
If you had the chance to manage Barbados for a day, what would you do?
I would make sure that each child got a meal and had somewhere to call home.
My charity would provide food hampers for the needy and a new entertainment hub would be created so everyone could have a family-friendly environment to enjoy dance, sports, culture and the arts. All children should be loved. They are our future and we should take good care of them. (SC)
