ONE hundred student- athletes, from 20 high schools across Jamaica, benefited from a holistic day of empowerment, education, and inspiration during the inaugural Pocket Rocket Foundation Student-Athlete Summit on Tuesday.

Organisers say the summit, held under the theme ‘Be Extraordinary’, represented a new milestone in the Pocket Rocket Foundation’s mission to holistically support young Jamaican athletes, not only in their sporting pursuits but in their academic, emotional, and personal development.

Founder and chairwoman of the foundation Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce shared that the summit has been a dream realised, over three years in the making.

“The foundation is about providing a platform and opportunities to help youth realise their potential beyond track and field,” she said. “This summit is about developing and nurturing well-rounded individuals who will be able to succeed and navigate life beyond high school and their chosen sporting discipline.”

In her address to the students Fraser-Pryce spoke about the importance of paying it forward.

“I am who I am because a lot of people decided to invest in me,” she said. “This summit, and what the foundation does, is about investing in the lives of youth. It is not only about winning in your sporting disciplines — it is about becoming well-rounded and successful men and women as you chart your course in life.”

The one-day summit also featured keynote speaker, immigrant rights and justice attorney Sekou Clarke, Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna, sports psychologist Dr Olivia Rose, Associate Professor Dr Christine Fray-Aiken, and physiotherapist Yael Jagbir. The sessions covered mental resilience, nutrition for peak performance, time management, academic success, and injury prevention and recovery.

Foundation Executive Director Dr Jermaine McCalpin reaffirmed the commitment to youth development through targeted initiatives that align athletics with education and life skills.

“This is only the start of even bigger things to come,” he said. “We are creating a legacy of excellence and purpose, shaped by athletes who know their worth and are equipped to make meaningful contributions beyond the sport.”

The Pocket Rocket Foundation has provided scholarships to 93 student-athletes since its inception in 2013. In addition to its flagship scholarship programme, the foundation also has numerous other initiatives throughout the year. These include back-to-school treats, as well as Christmas and Easter treats in the communities of Waterhouse in Kingston and Waterloo, Ewarton in St Catherine.