The Giving Jamaica Chances (GJCI) organization celebrated its 4th consecutive year of
awarding students at its annual awards ceremony, held on Tuesday, September 10th at Belair
High School in Mandeville. Despite a power outage that impacted the entire town, the ceremony carried on without electricity, air conditioning, or fans, showcasing the resilience and commitment of the organizers and participants.
The Master of Ceremonies, Mrs. Renee Coke, kept the audience engaged and spirits high
despite the challenging conditions. The event began with an opening prayer by Sashalee Grant from Belair High, followed by a warm welcome from Dr. Donna King, the Principal of Belair High School, and greetings from Acting Vice Principal Kerry-Ann Sutherland.
Mrs. Renee Coke (MC) and Dr. Donna King (Belair Principal)
The keynote address was delivered by Belair’s Guidance Counselor, Mr. Lamar Wildman, who
spoke passionately about the importance of education and perseverance. He encouraged the students and faculty to use this moment as motivation to continue creating opportunities not just for themselves, but for others in their communities as well.
The Giving Jamaica Chances organization, led by its President Mr. Maxwell and Vice President Ms. Jones, played a pivotal role in ensuring the ceremony remained on track. Mr. Maxwell introduced GJCI and explained the organization's mission, while Ms. Jones elaborated on the services provided, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. She also encouraged students and faculty to work together and wished everyone a successful academic year.
As the award recipients eagerly awaited their moment of recognition, the heartfelt atmosphere only grew stronger. Nekelia Stedford, a proud awardee from Belair, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the students, while Gabriella Smith from Belair delivered a touching vote of thanks. Manchester High School's Mariah Townsend energized the crowd with her educational rap, adding a unique and fun element to the ceremony.
Belair students with Sashalee Grant G.C. and Kerry-Ann Sutherland V.P and Manchester High School students with Mr. Wayne Bernard G.C.
Thanksgiving was a prominent theme of the event, with thanks led by parent Maria Gayle and student Rojaun Steadman from Manchester High. Additional thanks were offered by Moriah Townsend, who performed alongside the Belair Band, adding a musical flourish to the event.
Principals from both Bishops and Belair High Schools were in attendance, alongside guidance counselors and other faculty members from various schools, including Bellefield High School's PSA President Jennifer Wilson. The feedback session was particularly productive, with Wilson actively participating and requesting more information to help spread the word about GJCI’s initiatives.
Bishop students with Daphne McAuley G.C and deCarteret College students with Dennis Banner G.C
Reid Robertson, one of the GJCI volunteers did an excellent job of capturing the event through photos and recordings, ensuring the memories of this remarkable event would be preserved.
Despite the unexpected power outage, the ceremony was a resounding success, filled with
inspiration, gratitude, and a strong sense of community. The Giving Jamaica Chances
organization continues to be a beacon of hope, providing opportunities for Jamaica’s youth and encouraging everyone to play their part in building a brighter future.
Mona Lisa Johnson & Jayden Phang (Bellefield Highschool students)
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