GOVERNOR GENERAL'S ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS - Middlesex's finest

At his inauguration, Jamaica's Governor General Sir Patrick Allen profoundly said: "I believe must be etched in every classroom ... it must be internalised in the heart of every student until dreams are born as to whom they can become and the contribution they can make to the development of their nation." 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.

• Jeromha Crossbourne - 'You can do it too'

Before Jeromha Crossbourne even entered the gates of Glenmuir Preparatory School in Manchester, she knew what she wanted to become.

Now 28 years old, Crossbourne is not only a legal counsel who was called to the bar five years ago, but also a partner in the law firm Scott, Bhoorasingh and Bonnick.

Crossbourne, who hails from a humble background, advises others with similar backgrounds not to be daunted by challenges.

"Don't get overwhelmed by the big picture," she said. "Look at it, but don't let issues like money or grades daunt you. Tell yourself that if others have done it, you can do it too," she continued.

Crossbourne is the recipient of The Douglas Fletcher Memorial Prize for the outstanding Jamaican in academic achievement, interest in the law school, discipline and attitude to society; and the Hon M. Justice Courtenay Scipio Orr Memorial Prize for outstanding Criminal Practice and Procedure.

She has found the time to give back to the church and the society. She is a Sunday school teacher at the United Church of Jamaica and is also a member of the Glenmuir Preparatory Past Students' Association. She also contributes eight hours per week at a children's home.

• Jeremy Hall - 'Never lonely at the top'

Oftentimes, scholars are viewed as people who hoard books and study in the dead of night, shunning company and living as social recluses. For Jeremy Hall, this is nothing close to the truth.

The 18-year-old has an active social life. He is a public speaker and is committed to sharing his knowledge with his peers.

"Achieving is great, but it's best when you bring others with you, helping others to achieve just like you did," he said.

Hall is a people person and said he studies best in groups.

"When we study in groups, my aim is to impart knowledge. You owe it to your friends and community to give back in the best way you can," said Hall.

Having received an open scholarship to the University of the West Indies (UWI), he will be commencing his studies at UWI Mona campus in electronics engineering.

As a student at Glenmuir High School, Hall established an enviable academic record when he received 12 distinctions in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, 11 distinctions in one sitting, 16 distinctions and one credit in Caribbean Examination Council subjects; as well as four distinctions and one credit in Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination.

• Tabitha Williamson  - "A passion for children'

Youth for St Ann, Tabitha Williamson's strong love for children propelled her to begin a career as an early-childhood teacher.

In 2009, the 21-year-old received a diploma from the Shortwood Teachers' College. Though teaching is not her ultimate life goal, Williamson — who ultimately wants to study dentistry — said she always envisioned working with children.

"I love children very much, I went into the classroom just to help them," she said.

Williamson, who is the second child of three girls, said that strong family support, especially by her mother, has been critical to her success. She advises young people to remember the phrase 'with determination everything is possible'.

Her faith in that belief was tested during her time at Shortwood Teachers' College. Williamson said the financial challenges of attending college were a burden but again her support system — family and her love for children — carried her through.

She is very active in the Golden Grove Chapel, where she teaches Bible vocation classes and was a prominent member of their homework programme for years. She took part in the National Youth Service programme and taught art and craft at Elim Basic School in 2009.

• Nikita Henry - 'Not my reality'

Nikita Henry's desire to provide positive examples for her young relatives and friends in the inner city has propelled her to reach for the highest star.

"I've seen some of my friends and family take the wrong path and I was determined not to make that my reality," said Henry.

The 24-year-old is slowing forging a path in education. Henry is a graduate of Church Teachers' College in Manchester and currently holds a part-time position at the all-girls institution, Bishop Gibson High School in Manchester, which she attended as a student from 1999 to 2003.

She then headed off to St Hugh's High School in St Andrew to finish her high school education, which she completed in 2005.

As a peer educator, Nikita helped to organise a fund-raiser to assist children living with HIV and has participated in World AIDS Day marches.

As vice-president of the Manchester and upper Trelawny Area Council, she coordinated meetings for the Anglican Church and the Anglican Youth Fellowship. Henry has a special heart for children and the elderly; she is a volunteer at the Manchester Infirmary, the Elizabeth's Nursing Home, the Windsor Children's Home and the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew.

• Rohan Champagnie - 'Success is an attitude'

Rohan Champagnie is used to pressure. The only male of 33 persons to graduate with a degree in education from the University of Technology (UTech) in 2000, defying the odds and breaking down barriers have marked his life.

Champagnie achieved a further milestone when he was the only male then to graduate with a first-class honours and one of only three people to do so that year.

The 31-year-old teacher said that is easily his proudest moment. A product of Tacky High School in 1996, the youth recipient for St Ann is a proud home economics teacher at Priory High School in the parish.

Champagnie said that he is guided by one philosophy all his life.

"There is a philosophy that I've always believed in, and that's once you cultivate the right attitude, you will do well," he said.

He insists that that attitude does not come overnight.

"I say cultivate because its something you have to work on, something you must try and develop," he said.

Champagnie has organised several clubs and spiritual minis-tries in the parish of St Ann. A baptised member and ordained elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Champagnie serves as a lay preacher, Sabbath school teacher and youth leader. He also is very active in prison outreach programme at Richmond Adult Prison.

• Charlene Jackson-Mohan - 'The toughest is doable'!

Charlene Jackson-Mohan is guided by the phrase 'the toughest is doable'.

It reflects her unyielding optimism, even in light of several challenges that may have created a premature end to her burgeoning academic career. Instead, she used this as a launching pad to guarantee her success in the field of hospitality management. She is now banqueting manager at the Mandevilla Place, Neils Auditorium, in Manchester.

Jackson is a graduate of the University of Technology (UTech) with a Bachelor of Science in food service management. With all this mention of Manchester, few expect her to have her roots in St James.

Her love for her adopted parish began during her years at Mandeville Primary and Junior High schools, as well as Manchester High School, where she was active in the Girl Guides Association, Tourism Action Club, Yearbook committee and Girls Brigade Jamaica, where she was selected as Brigadier of the Year in 2002.

At UTech, she was a youth representative for the CAANAC World Assembly in Trinidad and Tobago in 2007.

Jackson advised young people to "keep your dreams on the horizon, never give up hope and always look forward.

"Think of your dreams like an elastic band, as time stretches, it should stretch too," she continued.

• Linda Sutherland-Hines  - 'The country made me who I am'

An angel of mercy, Linda Sutherland-Hines has spent more than 33 years in the nursing profession.

A deacon and lay preacher, Sutherland-Hines fused her values as a Christian and her passion as a nurse to contribute essential social services through the Baptist Social Work Committee. She is guided by old-school values that she says are strongest in rural Jamaica.

"The country made me who I am, rural life teaches you humility to share, it teaches you to look out for the common man," she said.

She said as a child she was often given the task to carry food for the needy and elderly in the community, and wants to see a return to those days.

"If you grew like how I did, it is very hard to move from that when you become an adult," said Sutherland-Hines.

For her, this is part of the answer to solving Jamaica's problems.

"Rural values teach children camaraderie, loyalty and the spirit of community, and that's always best for the society," she continued.

• Hail, teacher Bryan!

With a career as distinguished as his quiet strength and flair for language, Sylvester Bryan, affectionately known as 'Teacher Bryan', has touched hundreds, if not thousands, of young people across Jamaica in a career that spanned almost 40 years.

The award recipient for the parish of Clarendon, Bryan's journey in teaching began in 1957 when he entered the halls of Mico Teachers' College, now The Mico University. Young Bryan excelled and after graduating in 1959 set out on a journey to put Jamaica's education system on track. His footmark is left on institutions like Fyffes Pen and Old Harbour Elementary schools. Others include Holmwood and Vere technical high schools and Lionel Town Junior Secondary, now Bustamante High School.

At Denbigh High School, he rose to the position of vice-principal. He retired in 1996, but has remained active in public life. He is a member of the St Gabriel's Church choir and a former president of the church's chapter of the brotherhood of St Andrew.

Bryan is an active chairman of the Inglewood Citizens' Association and neighbourhood watch.

• Veronique Lawrence - 'Just do it!'

St Mary's recipient, Veronique Lawrence, describes herself as a simple woman.

"I wasn't doing anything to get an award, I was just trying to do my work," she said.

Lawrence insisted that no matter what the challenges are, people must find ways to function and to overcome. She takes her examples from Bible accounts of great men like Job and David.

"No matter what happened to Job, he didn't go into a corner and sulk," said the 33-year-old. "David's story is really special to me, because God was always with him throughout his struggles and I feel that he is always with me too, that I am truly blessed and highly favoured."

The young woman has not just reserved her blessings for herself, she has shared them and has helped to transform Job's Hill All-Age School where she is acting principal. Lawrence spearheaded school garden projects and established a literacy and numeracy resource room, among other ventures. However, her greatest impact on the school could easily be the role she played in increasing the literacy rate to one above the national average.

She is a strong believer in God and attributes much of her success to her pastor, Rev Zebekiah Mitchell of the Highgate United Pentecostal Church.

- Stories by Patrina Pink