After a record number of scholarships awarded by the Pocket Rocket Foundation, several student athletes say the scholarships have removed a financial burden from their families as they seek to achieve their objectives.

The presentation ceremony took place at the AC Hotel in Kingston on Wednesday.

In its 11th year, the foundation, established and chaired by sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, increased the number of scholarships from 11 in 2023 to 20 scholarships for high school students representing various schools and sporting disciplines. Since its inception in 2013, the Pocket Rocket Foundation has awarded 93 scholarships.

Jamaica College’s Michael-Andre Edwards, who won the Class Two Boys’ long jump and triple jump titles at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ Athletics Championships this year, says the scholarship will provide great relief.

“It’s a great feeling to be recognised when you’re a small percentage of a large group and they have confidence in your abilities, so it’s great to be selected,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “There was always motivation to succeed but this has been a big help; it takes the burden off my parents so I now have less to worry about and more to focus on myself and my goals for the future.”

Campion College netballer Nevaeh Dawkins says she’s still over the moon after being selected.

“It feels kind of unreal because even when I got the email, I still couldn’t believe it,” Dawkins told the Observer. “To be here, I’m really grateful to the foundation. Even though a lot of people entered and I got to be one of the chosen few, it makes me feel really grateful and thankful that I had the qualities they were looking for. It helps a lot seeing that the school fee is very expensive and it would have been a setback if I never got the scholarship — so, I’m grateful.”

Shwayne McDermott, who plays volleyball for Knox College, is more optimistic that he can grow the sport as a scholarship recipient.

“I’m really elated and thankful,” he told the Observer. “This scholarship has helped me a lot. Even though this is my last year in school, financially I’m very thankful and I hope to give back to this foundation one day.

“Volleyball is one of the upcoming sports in Jamaica right now. It doesn’t have the platform as athletics or so, but in the coming years, it will enter into uncharted spaces, so I’m just hoping to build the brand of volleyball in Jamaica.”

Fraser-Pryce says she’s delighted that the foundation has been able to make a lasting impact over the years with a number of recipients moving into successful careers in various fields.

“We believe that athletes just need a chance, students need a chance, they need a seed of hope and we’re able to plant that seed and to watch it watered, nurtured to the point where we’re able to be so proud of what they’ve been able to do outside of their different sports,” she said.

“They also add as inspiration to the next batch of student athletes that care coming out of the Pocket Rocket Foundation — to help them to understand that if we’re able to strike a balance and understand that you can pair your extracurricular activities and education. You too can become individuals of worth, individuals that contribute in a positive way and you’ll look back at the moment and you’ll be glad that you were able to have that assistance and that balance in making sure you’re able to do what you’re doing.”