MONTEGO BAY, St James — Firefighter Lance Corporal Mikhail Smith, who saved the life of a fellow basketball player last year, was among 17 individuals — representing the best of St James — selected to receive recognition during Monday’s National Heroes Day Civic Awards Ceremony in St James.

Smith was awed by the momentous occasion that had resulted from what he deemed, at the moment, simply the right thing to do.

“It’s a very overwhelming feeling; it just shows how little you can do to play an important role and be recognised among your peers and amongst your community,” he told the Jamaica Observer after the ceremony.

Wayne Lawrence was playing basketball on December 1, 2024 when he began having what appeared to be a seizure. Smith immediately sprang into action, providing first aid and getting Lawrence to hospital.

“This is a very overwhelming feeling to be awarded for Outstanding Community Service,” Smith said Monday.

He was one of two firefighters from the parish to be lauded. His colleague, Sergeant Kendrick Leslie, was also acknowledged for his role in an annual Christmas treat that parish firefighters organise for children.

“It’s really a joy for me; I’ve always looked forward to something like this type of award,” Leslie said of the Community Service Award he received.

“I’ve always been doing good but never really expected the Sam Sharpe Award; but give thanks to God,” he added.

Among the raft of other notable individuals from the parish who were recognised on Heroes Day was CEO of Margaritaville Caribbean Group Ian Dear.

“It is really very humbling and gratifying that my own parish has recognised my efforts over the last 40 years,” Dear said.

“I started business in Montego Bay and I’ve never left Montego Bay. This is my home, the parish of St James. I have great pride for and I am doing everything in my power to enhance St James, and of course Jamaica, but close and dearer to my heart is Montego Bay,” he said.

Dear, who owns other businesses and sits on a number of boards in the parish and across Jamaica, spoke of how much it meant to be recognised for the work he has done in the parish where it all started for him.

“I was born here and my journey continues. It is with great pride and humility that I accept this award,” he added.

Fellow businessman and former president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Robin Russell also received an award for his contribution to the tourism sector.

“It is a privilege; it was not expected,” declared the Deja Resort general manager.

He said he was especially touched to receive recognition for work done outside of business hours.

“To be recognised for the work that you do without pay and without any kind of reward is heart-warming,” Russell added.

Also rewarded for her work in tourism was Kerry Miller, executive and personal assistant to Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.

Miller was recognised for her more than two decades of exemplary service to the development of the sector.

“I feel honoured, I feel proud. It’s such a good feeling to know that you get up, you go to work every day, you serve and you support and what you do is actually contribute to not just the executive that you support, not just to the organisation, which is Sandals Resorts, but to the parish of St James and to the wider Jamaica, land we love,” she said with a broad smile after descending the stage in Sam Sharpe Square.

Miller thanked two individuals whom she said have been instrumental in making the moment happen.

“In accepting the award, I would like to honour two great men — Wayne Cummings, for starting my journey in the industry and who has been a huge support throughout my tenure; and Adam Stewart for making me stay,” she added.

Retired Parish Judge Sheron Barnes was also honoured for her contribution to the justice system.

“I’m very touched and I’m honoured to be recognised by my local community, Montego Bay,” she said.

“I was born here, I went to school here, I used to walk these streets all the time, and it really means the world to me to be recognised by this place which I call home,” she added.

There were also awards for contribution to education, the arts, security, and to individuals who keep the parish’s streets clean.

During the event, Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon also fulfilled his promise to present the key to the city to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.

For the last 100 years the religious group has played an important role in the development of three schools: Chetwood Memorial Primary, Mount Alvernia Preparatory, and Mount Alvernia High.

Just last week, October 4 was designated as Mount Alvernia Chetwood Day.

“I’m totally overwhelmed with gratitude that the people of Montego Bay, after 100 years, continue to remember us and all that we have done,” spokesperson for the Franciscan Sisters in Jamaica Sister Odette Haddad told the Observer.

“But we in turn have gotten so much from the people of Montego Bay and we are totally overwhelmed,” she added.

Kerry Miller, executive and personal assistant to Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, collects her award from Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon.

Businessman Ian Dear (right) collects his award from Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon.

Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon (centre) with the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany (from left) Odette Haddad, Rose Chang, Rose Yee Sang, and Terisita Desouza.

Lance Corporal Mikhail Smith (right) of the St James Fire Department collects his award for saving the life of basketball player Wayne Lawrence last year from Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon.