MONTEGO BAY, St James — History-making gold medallist at this year’s Paris Olympics Rojé Stona, dancehall star Nigy Boy, and Third World drummer Lenworth “Tony Ruption” Williams were among 13 individuals honoured during a civic ceremony to mark Heroes’Day in St James on Monday.

Awardees were lauded by St James Municipal Corporation for work done in the areas of community service, health, tourism, education, national security, sports, as well as arts and culture.

Stona, whose 70-metre discus fling earned him an Olympic record and the honour of being the first Jamaican to win a throw event at the highest level of sport, copped the Mayor’s Special Award for his contribution to track and field.

“It’s an honour to be back in the city where everything started; just to get recognised is a big deal for me. I’ll just keep on representing the city, the country,” he told the Jamaica Observer after receiving his award from mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon.

“This is like an incentive — the more great [things] I do is the more recognised I will be and just to represent,” the Olympian added.

Stona is now looking forward to exploring how he can contribute to Montego Bay’s development.

“I want to further build ties with the city. Anything that I can do to support or improve the city, if I can I will. It’s also just to motivate and inspire youth from this side of the island as well,” he stated.

Flanker native, Nigel “Nigy Boy” Hector also received the Mayor’s Special Award, but in the category of arts and culture.

“I can’t even explain the feeling but it is definitely a profound feeling. I’m extremely elated to have been the recipient of such a prestigious award given to me by the mayor himself, Richard Vernon,” the Continent singer said.

“It’s definitely a great feeling and I’m humbled by it. I’m going to continue to make Montego Bay and the whole Jamaica proud,” he promised.

For drummer Williams, his mother’s reaction made receiving the Sam Sharpe Award for arts and culture all the more special. The ceremony brought back memories of his days as a member of the Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club — which led him to life as a musician — but now he has new ones to add.

“Years and years I did the march for Heroes’ Day parades so to be honoured on this day my mom is like, overwhelmed. It’s a great honour,” he told the Observer.

“I’m elated and feel honoured growing up in this city. To be recognised this way is the greatest honour,” he said.

Williams sees the award as kudos for the wider entertainment community, especially those who have gone before.

“A lot of greats did not get recognised, [many] who have contributed so much to this culture. So in this time, to live and get honoured is a great honour,” he said.

For Mayor Vernon, the well-deserved awards symbolise the prowess of individuals connected to the western city.

“It’s a good feeling to know that we continue to produce these talents right across the spectrum. From sports to music, we have a large and deep talent pool in Montego Bay. Sometimes we need for it to be unearthed,” he said.

Vernon is hopeful that others, especially the youth, will be inspired and seek to emulate those honoured on Monday.

“I believe that awarding these persons, recognising their contributions — albeit some of them young, some more experienced — … sends the right message to the youngsters who’re there in the community, and want to make good of themselves and contribute to the development of the city of Montego Bay and the municipality of St James,” he said.

“I want to congratulate all the awardees today in their respective rights. They have done well, and they have set themselves apart in their communities,” the mayor added.