DANAE Jones’ story is one of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.

Growing up with limited resources, Jones endured the COVID-19 pandemic with a broken phone as her only connection to virtual classes.

Despite the challenges, she remained focused on her goals, determined to rise above her circumstances and become a beacon of hope for others in her community.

Today, thanks to The Best Dressed Chicken and its partnership with The University of the West Indies Development Fund (UWIDEF), Jones is fulfilling her dream of pursuing a bachelor’s in marketing at The UWI, Mona.

Originally from Portmore and later Kitson Town, St Catherine, Jones watched as peers as young as 16 fell into teenage pregnancy and crime — she saw education slipping away from those around her. But while others saw inevitability, Jones saw possibility.

“I want to be that generational curse breaker…that seed for other persons to see me as an example,” she would tell herself.

Her mother, Jodian Brown, a vendor in downtown Kingston, became the cornerstone of her determination.

During the pandemic, when Brown’s business came to a halt, she said, “I would take the little and turn it into much.” This resourcefulness became Jones’ first lesson in resilience.

Despite her struggles with online classes during the pandemic, Jones rose to the occasion.

She excelled in her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams with seven ones, three distinctions and a grade two, and later completed eight units of Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in grade 13, which meant she became the top CAPE student at her school with a stunning 96 per cent average.

“I know that it is not in my strength alone,” Jones said, “but with God, all things are possible.”

The Best Dressed Chicken Scholarship, awarded for her academic success and determination, marked a significant turning point for Jones.

“I knew what this would do for me,” she said, emotion still fresh in her voice. “I knew that this would help to alleviate the financial burden.”

Carla Seaga, CEO of UWIDEF, noted that stories like Jones’ exemplify the transformative power of private sector support.

“UWIDEF relies on the generous support of the private sector. We are a vehicle to make dreams come true but can only do this with support from organisations such as The Best Dressed Chicken,” said Seaga.

“The Best Dressed scholarship programme aligns with UWIDEF’s vision to make access to tertiary education a reality,” added Seaga.

Ava Sinclair, marketing manager of The Best Dressed Chicken, echoed Seaga’s sentiments as she highlighted the company’s dedication to empowering youth through education — a commitment that aligns with the United Nations’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

“Danae embodies resilience and ambition, and we are proud to support her educational journey,” said Sinclair.

The three-year scholarship programme is part of The Best Dressed Chicken’s broader commitment to strengthening communities by providing young people with the tools they need to excel.

Looking back at the broken phone that once threatened her education, Jones sees more than just a challenge overcome. She sees a testament to faith, family support, and the power of believing in something greater than circumstance.

It’s this unwavering faith, combined with grit and grace, that has brought Danae Jones from Kitson Town to The UWI, from struggle to scholarship, from dreaming to doing.