Valedictorian sets sights on advancing deaf community advocacy
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact within Jamaica’s deaf community, the 2025 valedictorian of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus’ Faculty of Humanities and Education is already shaping her post-graduation path around advocacy and inclusion.
Zantaye Thomas, 23, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Marketing and Communication with a minor in Sign Language, aspires to become a sign language interpreter, citing the need to bridge communication gaps between the deaf and hearing communities.
“I want to become one of those qualified interpreters to help bridge that language gap,” she said, pointing to the shortage of trained interpreters across the island.
Her commitment to advocacy extends beyond the classroom. Thomas is the founder and executive director of Sign Clubs of Jamaica, an initiative that brings together high school and university students to support deaf community outreach and promote awareness of sign language and deaf culture.
Earning the title of valedictorian was a deliberate goal, one that the 23-year-old put on her 2023 vision board. When she learned she had been selected, the moment was emotional.
“I cried a lot because it was just a sense of relief that the hard work paid off,” she said.
Thomas distinguished herself through student leadership, running for a guild position in her first year and later serving as the Faculty of Humanities and Education Guild representative during the 2023–2024 academic year.
Reflecting on her experience, Thomas acknowledged periods that required renewed focus.
“What I did was just to refocus and determine what caused the lack of focus in that semester and just bounce back from that,” she said, recounting a semester when she did not make the dean’s list.
Currently, she is a management trainee at First Global Bank, a subsidiary of the GraceKennedy Group, where she is building her marketing and communications expertise. Thomas also has aspirations in media, with the long-term goal of hosting on local television.
Proud of her Jamaican identity, she said she hopes to contribute to strengthening the country’s global image.
“I just really want to build brand Jamaica,” she said.
Offering advice to other students, she encouraged them to maximise their university experience through involvement, resilience and support networks.
“Make the most of your university journey,” Thomas advised.
