GOVERNOR GENERAL'S ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS - Middlesex's finest

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 Middlesex's finest were presented with the Governor General's Achievement Awards at a ceremony held at Halse Hall Great House in Clarendon.

• Archibald McCalla  - 'Never say never'

Archibald McCalla said he had been reading about the Governor General's Achievement Awards for years, and never in his wildest dreams did he believe that some day, and soon, his name would rank among the list of recipients.

Despite the fact that McCalla rose from humble beginnings in Bellas Gate in St Catherine, he has transformed the resources he had been blessed with into successful businesses. And a demanding business life has not stopped McCalla from giving back to the parish from which he came.

For his work, the Portmore entrepreneur had been recognised by several organisations for long and distinguished service. The organisations include the Portmore division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Bridgeport High School, Port Henderson Primary, Waterford Infant School and the Portmore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

McCalla, who serves as a Justice of the Peace, is also a distributor of poppies for the Jamaica Legion in St Catherine, and has rallied to the assistance of world war ex-servicemen residing at Curphy Place in St Andrew.

• Rahman Bishen Surgbally - Cadetting, a way of life

The word 'discipline' comes to mind when one thinks of 20-year-old Rahman Bishen Surgbally.

The Governor General's under-25 awardee for St Mary is a focused young man eager to serve Jamaica. The aviation student sees cadetting as a way of life and is considering entering the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) after completing his studies.

"Cadetting is a medium through which one may assist other indivi-duals in achieving their own goals," said Surgbally.

He believes helping others develop traits like discipline and punctuality, and that is what drives him.

A squad leader at St Mary High School, his proudest moment was leading his school to winning the prestigious Ruel Vaz trophy for the 14th time. This competition involves the top cadet unit of each battalion competing in the areas of parade skills, clothing and turn out, instructional ability, administration and display.

During his years as a cadet, he spearheaded and participated in several outreach projects, including Swift Purcell Boys' Homes and several high and basic schools across the island. He is certified in several areas, such as basic air training, rescue and shelter management.

• Sheldon White - In search of self

Sheldon White's high-school days at Jamaica College were spent in search of self. Along that journey, he met a few people who helped to ensure that he stayed on course.

White found the Inter-Secondary Christian Fellowship and, according to him, through teachers like Andre Russell, he graduated a well-grounded young man.

Over decade later, the 32-year old is a personal banking officer at Scotiabank and still harbours big dreams.

Never complacent, White believes "the world is fast becoming a seamless, global village", and the forward-thinking youth wants to be an integral part of that movement.

White said he wants to become a website designer and computer programme developer, a goal the University of Technology (UTech) graduate said he will not be letting go of.

A strong believer in the Word of Christ, he is an active member of the New Testament Church of God in Braeton, St Catherine, and has served as a deacon for more than seven years. He is president of the Men's Fellowship and is choir director. He is also very active in the church's outreach projects.

White was a volunteer for the 2007 staging of the ICC Cricket World Cup held in the Caribbean. His concern for others has led him to regularly donate blood.

• Stanley Skeene  - 'My life is for others'

In his 25 years of residing in the parish of Manchester, Stanley Skeene has cared for the same number of foster children. The 63-year-old Justice of the Peace lives by a motto that says 'The take care of other people's children and you won't have to worry about your own.'

No stranger to the education system and moulding young minds, Skeene has - between 1977 and 1994 - served as bursar and principal of May Day High School in Manchester. There, he helped to transform lives and the academic future of many students by abolishing the shift system that existed then, and by overseeing the building of 11 additional classrooms and a workshop.

The high school flourished under his tenure, receiving glowing accolades from the Ministry of Education and the general public for its academic and athletic performances.

The former principal is a member of the Poor Relief Committee of Manchester. The committee supervises the infirmaries and registers the less fortunate living in the parish. Skeene is also an elder in the New Beulah Moravian Church. His deeds have crossed denominational lines and, as such, he has been honoured twice for his role in the Seventh-day Adventist skills training initiatives.

• Cindo Nicholson  - Money never a hindrance

The luxuries that mark upper-class Jamaican life never materialised for Cindo Nicholson when he was a youth.

Now a doctor, the 56-year old, who was born in Parry Town, Ochio Rios, said that money, though important, should never determine any Jamaican's future.

He was, however, not always this optimistic. As a child, he dreamed of being a doctor but felt it was impossible, considering his humble background. The teacher responded "Never let money and background be a hindrance. You can be whatever you want to be." Those words have never left Nicholson. Now, the recipient for St Ann has grown since his days in the small community of Parry Town.

Nicholson is a real community man and has been involved with different ventures. He has been chairman of the St Ann Drug Abuse Committee and was recognised by Lions Club International for his contribution to education in diabetes. He is currently the chairman of the Medical Association of Jamaica's North East branch.

• Jason McNeish - The renaissance man

Student activist, budding entrepreneur, tourism enthusiast, community man and college student are just a few hats Jason McNeish wears.

At 23 years old, McNeish is more accomplished than many will be in their entire lifetime. The former St Jago High School head boy carried his love for students' welfare to the University of West Indies (UWI), where he has held the position of vice-president in the Guild of Students.

He is currently pursuing studies in tourism management and is president of the UWI Tourism Society.

Despite his demanding duties, McNeish has worked in his community as president and co-founder of the Eltham Acres Police Youth Club in Spanish Town.

He also manages his own public relations and event planning company. And, according to him, he is giving back to society by creating employment, contributing positively to his country, and will be better able to sponsor outreach programmes.