Five student-athletes on Friday received cheques ranging from J$50,000 to J$60,000 under Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation scholarship programme that rewards beneficiaries based on outstanding academic performance whilst competing and representing their respective schools in any sporting discipline.
Second-form to fifth-form student-athletes receive J$50,000 cheques while sixth-form students get J$60,000.
The awardees comprise Tafada Wright of St. Jago High School, Kimesha Beckford of Manchester High School, Anecia Taylor of Holmwood Technical High School, Olivia Petrekin of St. Andrew High School and Malachi King of Wolmer’s Boy’s School.
The presentation ceremony took place at Wolmer’s High School for Girls on Marescaux Road in Kingston where each athlete also received grocery baskets from GraceKennedy, book vouchers each valued at J$10,000 from Sangster’s Book Stores courtesy of Digicel that also provided each student-athlete with J$1500 phone credit.
They also received Hi-Lo Supermarket vouchers each valued at J$10,000, also courtesy of Digicel
The five recipients bring to 55, the number of student-athletes - 29 girls and 26 boys - from 22 high schools and competing in 11 different sports, who have benefitted from academic scholarships from the foundation since its inception in 2013 when seven students were awarded scholarships.
"The Foundation has given me a platform to effect change for young Jamaicans. I just hope to get more sponsors on board so that we can provide more scholarships. These young kids are talented and bright....they are just unable to pay their way through school," Fraser-Pryce said on her Foundation's website.
The foundation was launched in 2012 at Terra Nova where Digicel and GraceKennedy each pledged J$1 million each to kick-start the initiative.
The Pocket Rocket Foundation recently held a successful fundraising event at the Miramar Cultural Centre in Florida.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Edwin Allen second in Champions of America girls’ 4x800m as Union Catholic sets National Record
Edwin Allen had to settle for second position in the Championships of America high school girls’ 4x800m, as they were soundly beaten by New Jersey-based favourites Union Catholic in the final on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
Not only did Union Catholic defend their title, but the team of Jimmiea King, Peyton Hollis, Sophia Thompson, and Paige Sheppard did so in emphatic fashion, clocking a National Record of 8:41.20. They lowered the previous mark of 8:43.12 set in 2008 by Roosevelt.
Edwin Allen’s quartet of Tanesia Gardiner, Monique Stewart, Kevongaye Fowler, and Rickeisha Simms, gave a credible effort in second at 8:50.76, while Virginia-based South Lakes (8:50.8), were third.
The other Jamaican schools, Holmwood Technical (8:58.94) and Alphansus Davis (9:13.83), placed fifth and ninth respectively.
Hydel wins third Championship of America 4x400m title in a row at Penn Relays
Hydel High successfully defended their Championship of America 4x400m title on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
The quartet of Alliah Baker, Jody-Ann Daley, Nastassia Fletcher and Abigail Campbell combined to run 3:34.78 to win ahead of Bullis School (3:35.17) and Union Catholic (3:41.75).
Hydel captain Alliah Baker reacted to her second gold medal of the meet.
“I am not shocked but I’m very excited. This is my last year and I’m very happy to finish my last year with two gold medals,” she said.
Hydel have now won this event three straight times and five times in the last six years.
Hydel successfully defends High School Girls Championships of America 4x100m title
Hydel High successfully defended their High School Girls Championships of America 4x100m relay title, as Jamaican schools swept the podium on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
The team comprising Shemonique Hazel, Alliah Baker, Shania Myers and Jody-Ann Daley, clocked 44.71s in victory, as they fended off the challenge of Edwin Allen’s quartet Trezeguet Taylor, Theianna-Lee Terrelonge, Renecia Edwards and Jounee Armstrong of Edwin Allen, who clocked 44.96s. St Jago's team of Briana Campbell, Adora Campbell, Bryana Davidson and Quanna Walker, placed third in 45.14s.
Hydel’s captain Baker beamed with delight at the feat.
“We came out here to win and we executed we always say that we are one team, we are here for each other and so we just came out and delivered. We were confident, so we just told each other to stay calm and trust God,” she said shortly after the race.
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