Eleven student athletes are the latest recipients of scholarships from sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation, which is now celebrating its 10th year of existence.

The 11 received their awards during a glitzy ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew on Tuesday.

Each student was awarded an academic scholarship valued at $100,000 and school supplies valued at approximately $80,000.

The supplies included Nike book bags, official Pocket Rocket Foundation notebooks and promise pins, book vouchers, a GraceKennedy food basket and a Samsung Galaxy A8 Digicel Tablet with $3,000 credit.

Fraser-Pryce, who handed over the scholarship cheques to the recipients, expressed her delight in assisting student athletes as she thanked her sponsors for their continued support.

“It’s more than just throwing money at a problem, it’s an investment. Our sponsors not only invest in us, but into the individual households of students throughout our communities. Together we are changing lives,” said Fraser-Pryce.

“It all started with Jeanne Coke who poured into me with positive words of encouragement and assistance, but it doesn’t just end with me, there are so many other dreamers waiting to hit the main stage and our Pocket Rocket Foundation is pleased to assist some of them to achieve their dreams and aspirations,” added Fraser-Pryce.

In its officials statement the Pocket Rocket Foundation said the 11 recipients were carefully selected from a batch of 40 students from schools across the island.

According to the foundation, students who show potential, or those who are excelling in various sporting disciplines were awarded.

“The scholarships cover tuition, books, uniforms, lunch, and travel expenses throughout their high school studies. Sponsors including GraceKennedy, Digicel, and Nike have helped the foundation raise the scholarship amount year over year to ensure the it can continue to support students and keep up with the cost of education over time,” the foundation added.

During this year’s event, representatives of the National Baking Company Foundation donated $1 million to the Pocket Rocket Foundation.

Since its inception, a total of 73 students, across 26 schools, have received Pocket Rocket scholarships.

The scholarship recipients for 2023 included track and field athletes Tshani Armstrong from St Catherine High, Natrece East from Wolmer’s High School for Girls, Nickayla Russell from Holmwood Technical, and Tyrone Lawson from Jamaica College.

The list is completed by Papine High’s Lysandra Taylor who plays netball; Karissa Kelly, an emerging swimmer also from Wolmer’s High School for Girls; Excelsior High’s Kenrick McFarlane who is a talented cricketer; Knox College’s Jahiem Jackson who plays volleyball; Wolmer’s Boys’ Joel Lamm who plays table tennis and chess; Wolmer’s Boys’ Jordayne Grant who plays hockey; and Campion College’s Streme Cha who is a young footballer.