Super-talented, educated and grounded

Paul H. Williams

Gleaner Writer

ON SATURDAY, April 26, The Gleaner exposed 26-year-old Reneil Clarke’s life of service, but we did broach the fact that he also plays basketball and table tennis “occasionally” and volleyball with his brothers “here and there”.

“I do minister spoken-word pieces and occasionally preach at church. I enjoy reading and sometimes consume a fair a amount of content from YouTube, Netflix, and varying websites for animé,” he also told The Gleaner.

And what we also did not say was that he has three younger brothers who, too, are all super-talented, educated, and grounded. For instance, 24-year-old Clifton ‘CJ’ Clarke Jr. preaches, teaches, sings, dances, signs, “mimes a little”, plays drums, the keyboard, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and football. He is a former ISSA Champs finalist in javelin and has been representing Jamaica on national indoor volleyball and beach volleyball teams since 2015.

Academically, Clifton has a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, with an accounting major from The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. Before the UWI, he attended Camperdown High School up to fifth form and did sixth form at Wolmer’s Trust High School for Boys. He was baptised at age five and has been a member of the New Testament Church of God all his life.

The second in the line of boys, who describes himself a “Jack of all trades”, said, “My relationship with my brothers is primarily characterised by love and friendship and all the intricacies involved. We stick together in the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“Not only do we walk in each other’s footsteps, but we encourage each other to continuously make more steps for the next one to take. As athletes, of course, we have competitive spirits, but we all give credit and crowns at the end of it all.”

Third in the line is Kenneth-Roy Clarke, a 22-year-old alumnus of Camperdown High School, who is a third-year international relations major (minoring in French) at The UWI, where he is a member of the University Colleges Christian Fellowship.

“I am, above all, a believer in the Christian faith. I also enjoy preaching and teaching the word of God,” the aspiring diplomat/lawyer shared. “My belief that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life. My spiritual life and direction keeps me grounded, and it drives my understanding of life as well as dictates my conduct, beliefs, and perspective on all matters. My faith in God is literally a part of who I am.”

Some of his talents include singing and deejaying, miming, and sign language speaking, as well as playing the drums, keyboard, and bass guitar. He has played volleyball at both the intercollegiate and club levels and represented as a junior in volleyball twice at the national level.

Devaun Clarke, at 19 years, is the youngest boy. For there is a lone girl, 10-year-old Jharelle, in the family. “I am a very athletic, passionate, caring, determined, and talented individual. Some of my talents include singing, dancing, mime, sign language, poetry, playing football, volleyball, and basketball,” he said.

“I enjoy preaching the word of God as I find it very passionate and a part of me originally, playing drums, worshipping, and just being in a musical surrounding on a whole. I am a Christian who enjoys being in the house of the Lord and serving in the New Testament Church of God.”

He attended Meadowbrook High School and Jamaica College, which he helped to reach back-to-back finals in the ISSA Volleyball Competition. He has played volleyball at all levels for Jamaica, ranging from junior to senior, in various Caribbean countries. But to what extent was he inspired by his older brothers?

“My brothers play a great role in my life as it relates to inspiration. Growing up, they would help me stay focused and to think rationally, teaching me to practise a life that revolves around Christ. I can always watch their life and fall back in place whenever I am out of line,” he said.

“We grew up very close as we would do most things as a group – devotion, playing sports, and going out. Growing up with three brothers was great, rough, and needed. I had to ensure that my actions fall in place with theirs to not be seen as out of the norm. However, I had the opportunity of not being lonely but can play with a group when needed, receive help with schoolwork, be monitored when necessary.”

And what was it like for Reneil to be big brother to three younger brothers? “It has been an interesting experience. I think the most complex aspect of the experience was trying to mould an identity that could inspire them while remaining true to my innate character,” Reneil said.

“Another complex element was learning to appreciate their development and the distinctions between our characters without the subconscious desire to cull these new traits so that they are a reflection of who I want them to be. All in all, I have remained grateful that the Most High saw it fit to give me best friends and ministry partners who happen to also share parents with me.”