WHEN you meet a student with a grade point average of 4.0 and above, you know that you have met someone who is way above average, striving for excellence, and with a fiery determination to succeed. At the recent JWN Foundation tertiary scholarship workshop and awards, four students — Jamila Coaye, Raneisha Anderson, Cavin Warren and Tryrece Johnson — stood out among their peers with grade point averages over 4.0.

These students are from different backgrounds, with each focused on a trajectory of greatness. Anderson, a final-year student at Bethlehem Moravian College, like Job in the
Bible, has had more than her fair share of trials, but with deep-rooted faith, and commitment, she is rising above her adversities.

Within five years, Anderson lost both her parents, which severely impacted her growth and progress. “You see me, but you do not know my story. My father died when I was 18 years old and my mother shortly after. I wanted to start my tertiary education in 2019, and that was before my father got sick. I had applied to Northern Caribbean University, but the money for my tuition was used to take care of him,” Anderson said.

During that time, she decided to attend the HEART/NSTA Trust in Black River, St Elizabeth, where she graduated as an administrative assistant. After staying home for a while, she applied to Bethlehem Moravian College, and prior to starting her studies, her mother became ill. She started the college in 2022.

“I started college without both my parents. On the day my mother died, I did two examinations. I failed by one mark; but I did them again in my second year and got As. I was getting assistance from the JWN Foundation, so I studied harder. I have been through so much, and I could not allow myself to fail,” Anderson said.

Anderson, who is now on teaching practice at Leeds Primary School, is studying primary education, specialising in language arts and social studies. The past student of Maggoty High School at first did not want to become a teacher and was more inclined to pursuing a career in business; however, that trajectory changed.

“Initially I did not want to become a teacher. I decided to try after a while and realised that I love it. Last year, I received an A for my practicum and this year I am going to maintain this average,” she said.

Nineteen-year-old Jamila Coaye is in her second year pursuing her studies in Actuarial Science at The University of the West Indies , Mona. She became interested in actuarial science because her sister also completed a first degree in the area.

“Actuarial science is the study of financial risks which is useful in corporate Jamaica. It ascertains economic feasibility for companies. I did well in mathematics while I was a student at Immaculate Conception High School, and with some background to the area, I decided on this career path,” she said.

Coaye said where you are from does not limit your academic performance. She is from the Olympic Gardens community in Kingston, and during her first year at university achieved a 4.18 grade point average.

“I am very grateful for JWN Foundation’s assistance. I am hoping that their assistance will continue until I have completed my studies, and I will work towards keeping my grades up to standard. I am extremely grateful that they saw the potential in me, and I hope that their investment in my performance is worthwhile,” she said.

Warren, a final year information technology student at the University of the Technology, Jamaica (UTech) said he is grateful to be a returning scholarship recipient. “I am very grateful for this opportunity. It is a dream come true,” he said.

His mother, Claudette Thomas-Warren, is an employee at J Wray & Nephew Limited and indicated that although her son is quiet, he has achieved well academically.

“He has been consistent in his endeavours, even after fifth form. He has had some setbacks along the way, but we believe that he has now found his niche,” she said.

Tryrece Johnson, a mechanical engineering student at UTech, is from the Waterhouse community and has had his sights set on his career.

“When I was growing up, I would see things that needed fixing, and I would get excited and found ways to get it done. This spiked my interest in pursuing a career in engineering,” he said.

While a student at Kingston College, Johnson said his grades were above average, and he did his best to make his parents proud.

“When I was younger, I wanted to be a pilot, but as I gradually learnt about other things I changed my mind. I was interested in becoming a pilot because I wanted the opportunity to fly. The interest is still there, but not as great as before,” Johnson said.

His university experience, he said, has been eye-opening as he has had many experiences that have propelled him to remain focused on his dreams.

“The transition from high school to university has been interesting. Many people have done it, so it is not impossible to do. My brother is also my motivation, as he is working and studying at the same time. There are many different personalities also, and it is something that we have to adjust to,” Johnson said.

Tryrece Johnson.

Cavin Warren.

Jamila Coaye.