Rising from the rustic climes of Sherwood Content in southern Trelawny to become an Olympic legend, Usain Bolt’s story is not only about a single individual who achieved greatness, but a broader demonstration of the power of positive influence and the might of the greatest human assets – will and self-confidence.

“Young people with potential started to look at themselves differently,” Ann-Marie Hyman-Johnson, a teacher and lifelong resident of Sherwood Content said, reflecting on that period after Bolt won his first three gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

“Most young people started to believe they can do all of the little things that they can do,” she stated.

Her 14-year-old daughter, Lafayne Johnson, was a beneficiary of Bolt’s inspiration, a feeling which filled the Sherwood Content air again as the world’s fastest man sank his grip further into history in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, becoming the only person to win the sprint double and 4 x 100 metres relay in three successive Olympic Games.

“You felt good, because here you have someone from your own community who was out there beating persons from all of those other countries: the USA, France and Canada,” young Lafayne mused from the comfort of her verandah.

However, it was more than Usain Bolt’s inspiration from which the 2014 Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) scholar benefited. Bolt’s emerging greatness brought with it exposure for the largely farming community, and the increased attention exposed the unmet needs of his hamlet of some 1,000 residents.

“There was a time when residents had to travel two or three miles to get water. Persons who had a ride would go to nearby communities, such as Duanvale, which is three miles. Others would go to the Martha Brae River; to a river in Windsor, or Fontabelle; or pay for the water,” Hyman-Johnson related.

After years of struggling with an unreliable water supply, in about early 2014, the National Water Commission (NWC) started a project, with the support of corporate donors, to pipe water to homes in the community.

Consequently, today many households receive piped water, although some residents, Hyman-Johnson cautioned, were yet to have their supply regularised.

Notwithstanding that, the advent of a fairly reliable water supply was the incentive that her daughter needed to begin her own race into greatness.

“When we got that water, I was able to bathe earlier and get to school on time,” Lafayne stated. “And when you get to school on time, fewer children are there, and… the more peace and quiet you have. Therefore, I was able to get a head start in reading, and I was able to revise lessons from the day before and organise myself for the lessons to come,” she further related.

Those efforts paid off for the aspiring scientist, who emerged as the top performer in the parish of Trelawny in the 2014 Grade Six Achievement Test, with a score of 99 per cent in Mathematics; 99 per cent for Language Arts; 11/12 for Communication Task; 97 per cent for Science; and 95 per cent for Social Studies.

Layfane’s champion performance made this only child of her mother the natural choice for a scholarship from the Jamaica National Building Society in 2014. She moved on to the well-known Hampton School for girls in St Elizabeth, where she maintains an average of 84 per cent and aspires to improve her grades even more as she moves into third form at the school.

“In grade one, she won the National Reading Competition for the parish in her age group,” recalled Mamre Flash, former principal and teacher at the nearby Waldensia Infant and Primary School that Lafayne attended. “She was always self-motivated and bright and has been doing very well and I continue to keep track of her at Hampton. She will continue to excel, that’s the type of person she is.”

The retired educator, who also taught Bolt, had fond memories of the athlete.

“He was such a jovial student. Love to play,” she recalled laughing. “He was the second best performing boy I remember.”

Similar to other residents, she underscored his influence on the young people in the community, including Lafayne.

“I always encouraged him and all my students, because our vision statement was ‘Higher Heights for All’; not just for one person, but for everyone,” she pointed out.

According to Lafayne, the influence of her mother and her ‘Auntie Tracey’, or ‘Norvie’ as she fondly calls her, were also motivating factors, beyond the gift of potable water, which Bolt’s emergence helped to channel to the community.

“I saw how excited my mother was and I want to keep it that way,” Lafayne said, reflecting on the award of her JN scholarship and transition into Hampton.

Excellent at time management, she does not stay up late at night; but uses her day strategically, by taking breaks and using surplus time to revise, read and get other assignments done.

“I’m very proud of her,” said her mother in a quiet voice, her eyes squinting as she contemplates.

Hyman-Johnson, who also teaches at Waldensia Infant and Primary School, makes no secret about pushing her daughter, a decision she took to prove to other girls and women that they are all capable of achieving.

“I was happy when she received that JN scholarship because it has helped a lot,” Johnson-Hyman said, underscoring that beyond the funds, it helped to cement Lafayne’s competence.

“The JN scholarship has also been a motivating factor, because she has to maintain high grades to keep the scholarship, and she knows. My greatest hope is that Lafayne will stay focused, work to the best of her ability and accomplish what she wants to accomplish,” Johnson-Hyman said.