-Ms. Bernalyn Tomeau--Gifted Communicator

by Stephaun

As someone once remarked, “A new baby is like the beginnings of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” When Bernalyn Tomeau was born, the walls of the delivery room were light blue as the sky and smelled like Johnson & Johnson baby powder, according to John Tomeau, her father.

On December 28, 1972, Mrs. Tomeau, her mother, faced happiness and agony during the unforgettable labor of her second child, Bernalyn. Mr. Tomeau told me his face lit up like a neon light as he saw this beautiful and gentle newborn.

As Mr. Tomeau received the baby, he held her close because he wanted the baby to feel secure and unconditionally loved. Mr. Tomeau understood that a smooth touch, a gentle kiss, and a warm embrace could make a baby feel comfortable.

As Bernalyn came home, she was nurtured and taught by Mr. and Mrs. Tomeau, as she should. “I’m the only girl child for my father because he met my mother with a daughter name Yvette. After me were my two little brothers, John Tomeau Jr. (my heart), and my brother James E. Tomeau who passed away three years,” she said, her voice beginning to get shaky.

Over the years Ms. Tomeau faced many trials and tribulations, but she has molded herself from all the hardships she came across. Ms. Tomeau, or “Monitor Bunny” as we know her, graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1990 and is currently studying Hotel Management with a minor in Communication at the University of the Virgin Islands.

Let’s take it back, to when Ms. Tomeau attended Ulla F. Muller School and graduated on top of her class as a valedictorian. She told me about her best friend named Ricardo Williams who grew up with her; up to this day they still keep in contact.

It didn’t stop there for her educational achievements. Ms. Tomeau graduated among the top ten in Addelita Cancryn Junior High School.

“But everything changed when I reached Charlotte Amalie High School where I followed company and made couple of mistakes that I learned from over the years. I used to skip class in high school and do whatever I wanted; I personally felt I didn’t need school,” said Ms. Tomeau.

I’m going to go deep: Monitor Tomeau had a couple of embarrassing moment that taught her a lot about herself. “Years ago, I went to a church function but sneaked out to go to a Jam Band jam. Oh yes! That’s when Nick Daddy Friday was the man around town and had a crowd bigger than Volume, Jammerz HP, Cool Session and more,” she stated emphatically.

“Sadly, my mother caught me, beat me and then dragged me to the police station.” As Monitor Bunny told me this, she held her belly and laughed. With a big smile on her face, she added: “I should have just gone with my mother instead of acting like I don’t know her, which got me beat.”

Did she stay home after “getting beat” in front of plenty of people? Oh no! She went to school the next day acting like nothing happened, but you know she got teased about the situation. “I was a warrior back then and felt that I was invincible because I would never back down, no matter who you were,” said Monitor Tomeau.

Yes, she was a rough neck, but she had dreams, too. “I always wanted to be a lawyer because I strongly felt that I could have defended everybody,” said Monitor Tomeau. “Like all little children, we all have dreams and some fulfill it, and some end up altering what they will end up doing later in life.” Up to this day she has the dream of becoming a counselor and wants to own her own business.

“Being that my family background is from Tortola, I have many relatives that own businesses such as Arians, Sea Side Inn, Native Son, and Public Works in Virgin Gorda.”

With a golden heart, she also wants to change the community of violence by doing something for the youths of the community, whether it’s involves academics or sports. She also stated, “At first I wasn’t happy with my position at Kean being a monitor, but now, I have grown to love my job and what I do, even though it’s only temporary.”

If she had to choose to move from St. Thomas, Ms. Tomeau would “live in Florida because of the different opportunities I would have, and it’s close to home.”

Ms. Tomeau is not married, “But I have three amazing kids named Briar Tomeau, Brandon Donovan, and Shaquana Stout, the baby that always wants her way,” said Monitor Bunny as she shook her head from left to right.

Today, both of her wonderful parents are retired and are taking life one step at a time. Monitor Bunny’s mother is a retired teacher from the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School after approximately 32 years of hard work, and her father did 38 years in WAPA before he retired. “All in all, I was raised by some lovely parents, and I can truly say that my mother has been my motivation all the years of my life.”

The challenges and hardships Ms. Tomeau faced made her the person she is today. She once heard these words spoken by a police officer: “Ms. Tomeau you are under arrest; anything you say or do will be held against you in the court of law.”

“This was the turning point in my life,” explained Monitor Tomeau, because that day she came to reality and realized that she needed to grow up. After facing two years in the “Big House”-- one year in St. Thomas and the other in St. Croix-- she came out a changed woman. But instead of coming home, “I stayed and lived in St. Croix for about three years.”

Being a member of her Pentecostal Church, she has been moved by her pastor and church members who held her up through all situations. “Even though I have matured and am now an adult, I still have dreams that my pastor encourages me to follow and go after.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Philippians 4:13),” said Ms. Tomeau. “When any obstacle comes my way, this has always been my motto.”

Monitor Bunny’s hobbies are singing, playing basketball, and making people happy overall. Her extraordinary communication skills, especially with the students of Kean, make her unique.

“Being the assistant coach of the Girls Basketball Team at I.E.K.H.S bring out not only the best in female athletes, but in me as well,” Ms. Tomeau said.

Monitor Bunny’s best advice to is, “Put God first in everything you do. Set your goals high; your attitude determines your altitude and how far you will go in life. Honor your parents, adults and teachers, and respect yourself.”