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SFP's foundation hands over eight scholarships

Published:Thursday | October 2, 2014 | 2:18 PMMarc Stamp
Contributed Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (centre) and the seven of the eight high school student athletes that were awarded scholarships from her Pocket Rocket Foundation yesterday. Back row (from left): Board member Bruce James, Nichlolas Haughton (Campion College), Okhalia Buchanan (Wolmers High School for Girls), Pierce-Matthew McKenzie (Campion College), Patrick Morgan (Jonathan Grant High). and board members Colleen Montague and Donovan Walker. Front row (from left) Jeffrey Gordon (board member), Zinedine Russell (Convent of Mercy, Alpha), Shadae Grant (St. Jago High), Fraser-Pryce, Romae Quarrie (Campion College) and Paula Pinnock (board member).

The Pocket Rocket Foundation awarded eight scholarships to student athletes of several schools during a ceremony at Sagicor in New Kingston yesterday.

Founded by two-time Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013 when seven scholarships were awarded, this year, the foundation has added one more.

The 2014 awardees for the $50,000 scholarships are: Shadae Grant, a 12 year-old student of St Jago High; Nicholas Haughton, who is an upper sixth form student of Campion College; Patrick Morgan, a 16-year-old student at Jonathan Grant High; Janeek Brown, a 16-year-old student of Wolmer?s Girls; Zinedine Russell, a 15-year-old student at Convent of Mercy Alpha; Okhalia Buchanan, a 16-year-old student of Wolmer?s Boys; Pierce-Matthew McKenzie, a 15-year-old student of Campion College; and Romae Quarrie, a 17-year-old Campion College student.

?I believe that we are supposed to give back. You are on Earth to inspire others. The true person that I am, I do believe that you have to give to get back,? Fraser-Pryce told the students at the brief ceremony.

?It is hard while growing up to find the lunch money and books. I was on that road. We don?t choose our circumstances, we were born with it,? the Olympic Games gold medallist added.

?I?m a testimony that it is possible, don?t worry about the lunch money, books or other things. I want you to think about giving yourself a chance to excel, despite hardship. We are here to inspire others. I want to walk the journey with you. I want you to take this opportunity with both hands.

?It?s about giving up your best, that?s what I want you to do. It is as simple as that. I want you to continue the cycle by giving back.

?For me, I understand what it is to give. It is all about fostering relationships. I want you to take these cheques and do the best for you. This is an opportunity to make dreams a reality. I want you to fight, and have fun,? Fraser-Pryce shared.

Fraser-Pryce is the convenor and chairperson of the foundation. Other board members are Bruce James, Donovan Walker, Jeffrey Gordon, Colleen Montaque, Raphael Walker and Paula Pinnock-McLeod.

The sponsors of the foundation include Nike, Sagicor, Digicel and GraceKennedy.