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Samantha Clark credits Brian Uzzell, late owner and publisher of the Caymanian Compass, for launching her career. She was 19 years old when she first started at the newspaper, learning the ropes under then-editor Ursula Gill. “I started out writing small neighbourhood features, then graduated to coroner’s inquests, bigger news, and bigger features,” she says. “For a while I was also the business editor, but features were my favourite. I had always wanted to be a storyteller.” Samantha, who moved to Cayman with her parents Paul and Fay Anne de Freitas in 1982, began working for the Compass in the late 1980s after completing her A-levels in England. She says a turning point came when Brian encouraged her to further her education. “I hadn’t planned to go to college, but Brian said I had a lot of promise and that if I wanted to do a degree in journalism, the Compass would sponsor me,” she says. The agreement was she would put her education to use at the newspaper during school breaks and holidays and work for the Compass for a couple of years after graduation. Samantha graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1995, returning to Cayman to fulfil that commitment. Her husband, Jamie Clark, joined her a year later at the Compass after completing the same degree at USF, working as editor of a business journal. Pursuing a dream The couple returned to the US a few years later, with Samantha continuing her career in journalism before turning her talents to writing middlegrade books. Her debut novel ‘The Boy, The Boat, and The Beast’ was published by Simon & Schuster in 2018, with elements in the book inspired by Cayman. “I now have seven novels published by major publishing houses, and I’m a ghostwriter, writing mentor and speaker – all thanks to Brian’s kindness and generosity,” she says. “I’m finally living my dream of creating my own stories for books.” Samantha says her background in newspapers was a major influence on her career path. “My past as a reporter and editor taught me so much about words, stories, brevity, impact, and revealing information for utility as well as entertainment,” she says. Over the years, Cayman Free Press assisted many students in furthering their education. “I was the first student the Compass sponsored at university, but I wasn’t the last,” says Samantha. “Brian’s generosity helped lots of other young reporters get their education.” Investing in the community Today, that legacy continues with Compass Media introducing a scholarship in honour of late veteran journalist Carol Winker. The Carol Winker Journalism Scholarship assists Caymanians interested in journalism – including print, broadcast and digital – as well as those pursuing studies in photography, graphic design or creative writing. For Samantha, that early support and mentorship was key in her success. “I owe a lot to Brian and can honestly say that I would not have my career if it wasn’t for him,” she says. “Brian gave me my start as a writer, and I’m forever grateful for the support from him and the Compass.” Building a legacy A stalwart reporter and champion for journalism in the Cayman Islands, Carol Winker was best known in the community for her work as a court reporter. The veteran journalist could be seen riding her bicycle between the courthouse and the newsroom – in all kinds of weather. But Winker covered many types of stories for the newspaper – from hurricanes to politics to cultural events. Winker, who worked for the Compass for more than three decades, passed away in November 2019. Compass Media established a scholarship in recognition of Winker’s long-time contribution to the newspaper and local community and to encourage aspiring Caymanian journalists. Winker was highly regarded in the legal realm. In paying tribute, Chief Justice Anthony Smellie lauded her dedication to accuracy and fairness in her years of court reporting. A permanent memorial – a wood-and-wicker chair with a plaque bearing her name – was dedicated in her honour in Courtroom 1 at the formal opening of Grand Court on 15 Jan. 2020. The chair, located in the same spot she sat in for years, bears the message: ‘In memory and honour of Carol A. Winker, journalist and court reporter extraordinaire, who served the people of the Cayman Islands for 34 years’.
