TIME stood still for senior Reggae Girl Sherona Forrester yesterday after she was named the 2016 Rhodes Scholar.

“It [my mind] went blank. The whole world stopped just for a second or so, half of a second and then I replayed it just to make sure that it was my name that was called and then I just started smiling because I couldn’t believe it and I am still here in the surreal of it all,” said the 24-year-old Clarendon native.

A past student of Glenmuir High School and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Forrester was chosen from an impressive group of eight applicants during the selection process at Kings House in Kingston.

The economic statistician, who had tears in her eyes and a broad grin on her face after she was named the winner by Governor General Patrick Allen, told the Jamaica Observer that she never expected to win.

However, she said winning the scholarship was very significant for her and it is a springboard that will enable her to continue her post-graduate studies, hopefully through to her Doctorate.

The aspiring philanthropist who already holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Statistics with distinction and a Master of Science in Economics from UWI will be pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Economics at Oxford University in England.

Forrester, who is currently an assistant lecturer in the Department of Economics, before winning the Rhodes scholarship, won the UWI Director of Sports Award and an academic scholarship from Gore Development Limited, which enabled her to complete her bachelor and master’s degrees.

The Reggae Girl, who is also an active netballer and basketballer and has played the roles of captain in both disciplines at UWI, said that her participation in the football programme will have to be placed on hold but that she will continue to pursue her love for singing.

Forrester credited her mother, the head of the sports department at Vere Technical High School and her father, who played cricket, for gifting her with “a sports gene which has helped her towards her journey for success”.

“I just want to thank the Lord for continually being on my side and for being faithful to His servant,” she added.

— Tanesha Mundle