Sprint hurdler James awarded inaugural Island Grill athletics scholarship

Seeking to empower student-athletes, Thalia Lyn, founder of quick-service restaurant chain Island Grill, has taken a momentous step forward by awarding the inaugural Island Grill Athletic Scholarship to exceptional sprint hurdler from Petersfield High, Alexis James.

Hosted at The Mico University College on October 4, James was presented with a scholarship valued at $500,000, which will be granted annually, contingent upon her maintaining a B average throughout her years of study.

James is about to embark upon on a four-year journey to obtain a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education at The Mico University College. The scholarship covers tuition and board, and will enable her to better channel her energy towards her academic pursuits and athletic training with enhanced focus and determination. She was also presented with a laptop by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation to assist in her studies.

Expounding on the motivation behind the initiative, Lyn stated, “As a company deeply committed to fostering excellence and nurturing potential, we also realise that athletes are perfectly aligned with our commitment to a healthy lifestyle and our mantra to “Eat Good, Live Good”. Student-athletes need to nourish both their body and mind; it takes both physical and mental dedication. It’s with this understanding that we are proud to introduce this initiative. We firmly believe that by supporting Alexis’ educational journey and her well-being, we can empower her to focus on what truly matters, the pursuit of her dreams, both within the classroom and on the grand athletic stage.”

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange. In her address, she commended the initiative as a way to further support the preservation of Jamaica’s legacy within the realm of sports.

“Our track and field athletes have continued to rule the world, and the future looks good. I must laud Island Grill because it takes cash to care. Island Grill is putting its money where its mouth is, and I want to thank you for your generosity and care demonstrated by the awarding of this scholarship to Alexis,” Grange said.

At the young age of 19, James has already emerged as a standout athlete, clinching victory in this year’s Western Championships for both the girls’ 100m and 100m hurdles events. Her prowess on the track was further affirmed with a resounding gold medal triumph at the Carifta Games, where she set a championship record in the 100m hurdles, clocking an impressive 13.06 seconds. With a remarkable personal best time of 11.44 seconds in the 100m and 12.87 seconds in the 100m hurdles, James continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of competitive sprinting.

The Mico University College freshman is now Island Grill’s first ambassador. In remarks following her receipt of the scholarship, she said, “I want to sincerely thank all my amazing sponsors for helping me achieve this amazing milestone in my academic career. My path has been greatly impacted by your support, and I am incredibly grateful that you believe in my abilities. Your kindness has been a fantastic source of inspiration and encouragement, in addition to financial support. Your belief in my ability to succeed has motivated me to put in more effort, dream bigger, and go beyond what I thought possible.”