RESIDENTS of New Haven Heights in Trelawny paid tribute to one of their brightest stars, rising Jamaican sprint sensation Shanoya Douglas, with the unveiling of a commemorative sign bearing her image at the entrance of the community during an official ceremony held on Sunday.

Residents, including family members and representatives from her Granville Primary and Infant alma mater, and Muschett High School expressed their pride in the accomplishments of the budding track star.

Ivanhoe Gordon, principal of Granville Primary and Infant School where Douglas first gave an early glimpse of her promise, was full of praise for his former student whom he described as being always determined and focused.

“I am thankful that she was not exported to another parish but she remained right here in Trelawny,” he said. “And I want to congratulate those people at Muschett who are working with her.

“When you are on the track, all of us are running with you. I am certain that you can feel the energy. We are just pushing you so don’t think you are alone; we are all with you.”

Muschett High Dean of Discipline Morlett Schloss described Douglas as a humble individual.

“I am sure that Shanoya will continue to do well,” Schloss said. “We are extremely proud of her. Muschett is extremely happy for her [and] we’ll continue to work with her. She is God-fearing, which is very good, because when they leave God out of all of this you know what will happen.”

Douglas’s Coach Garth Smythe, her great-grandmother Louise Tracy Reid, her uncle Courtney McIntosh, New Haven Heights Association President Antonette Cameron and others paid tribute.

Douglas, who expressed gratitude for the recognition, pledged to continue to perform outstandingly to make her school, community and nation proud.

“It really does… make me feel happy,” she said. “It makes me feel like my achievements and my hard work are being acknowledged — and that’s a great feeling.”

Douglas clinched double gold in the Class Two Girls’ 200m and 400m events, clocking 23.93 seconds and 53.03 seconds, respectively, at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships in 2024.

Her momentum carried onto the global stage at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships where she earned a bronze medal in the 200m, registering 23.10 seconds, and played a vital role in Jamaica’s gold medal victory in the 4×100m relay.

Douglas maintained her winning form into the 2025 season. She delivered a commanding performance at Grand Slam Track, dominating the high school girls’ 200m with a time of 23.37 seconds.

She then continued her stellar campaign at the JAAA World Championships Preparation Meet, winning the 200m in 23.32 seconds and securing second place in the 400m with a time of 53.70 seconds.