GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) hosted a special recognition event last Friday at its Harbour Street headquarters to honour Sydney Pagon STEM Academy, the top-performing school in its GKMS/Western Union Future Champions Programme — an initiative designed to support and spotlight emerging schools on Jamaica’s track and field landscape.

The event brought together student-athletes, coaches, and school leadership from the St Elizabeth-based school, alongside GKMS executives and Jamaican track icons — Olympic and World champions Hansle Parchment and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce — both GraceKennedy brand ambassadors.

GKMS CEO Margaret Campbell congratulated the students, reminding them of their worth and potential.

“I know we call this programme ‘Future Champions,’ but you are all already champions. I want you to know that, embrace it and just lean into it,” she said.

Sydney Pagon STEM Academy had a breakthrough year at the 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), improving their points tally from 21 last year to 34 this year. They had standout performances from Luke Plummer (silver medallist in the Boys’ Class Two 800m and 1500m) and Alexia Palmer (silver medallist in the Girls’ Class Three 800m).

The day’s highlight was a dynamic “Drive Phase” talk show segment where Parchment and Fraser-Pryce shared lessons from their own Champs days and their journey to global success. They encouraged students to embrace discipline, overcome challenges, and balance school with sports.

Sydney Pagon Principal Milbert Miller expressed heartfelt gratitude for the initiative. “I just want to tell you a big thank you for this opportunity for these children — it’s just what they needed.”

Coach Kirk Beckford echoed the sentiment, praising the motivational impact of the interaction. “Haffi say thanks for that talk you give to the yute dem. They need that motivation, and this kind of exposure. Trust me, you not even know what you do.”

The event also featured the presentation of certificates to all 28 student-athletes and special awards to standout performers and the school’s leadership team.

Launched in 2024, the GKMS/Western Union Future Champions initiative targets schools outside the traditional top 10 at Champs, providing financial bursaries and brand-building support to help them grow their track and field programmes. The other schools in this year’s GKMS/Western Union Future Champions programme were Manchester’s Bellefield High and the St. James based Herbert Morrison.

“At GKMS, this is not just about winning medals — it’s about creating opportunities and inspiring young Jamaicans to dream bigger,” said Campbell.

The recognition event concluded with lunch and an informal meet-and-greet session, giving students the chance to interact personally with the Olympians and senior executives of GKMS.

GKMS continues to amplify its support of grass roots athletics and the development of Jamaican youth, with the Future Champions Programme now an integral part of its community outreach and sports development efforts.