HOLLAND, Trelawny — There were scenes of jubilation at Holland High School in Trelawny Monday morning as proud classmates and school officials welcomed their star athlete Shanoya Douglas, who mined gold at Champs for the first time in the school’s two-decade history.

She topped the podium in the 100 and 200 metres at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

From as early as 8:30 am, members of the school’s marching band enthusiastically set the stage with music that permeated the school compound as students blew horns and danced, all blending their voices with deafening chants of “Holland a big deal! Holland a big side!”

One female member of the Holland community, who rhythmically banged together two Dutch pot covers — a uniquely Jamaican symbol of approval — added to the euphoria.

The cheers grew even louder among the students and adoring fans lining both sides of the walkway from the gate to the school grounds as the star junior athlete emerged from a vehicle, flanked by family members, and made her way onto the compound.

During his official remarks to welcome Douglas, proud Principal Dayle Evans made a bold prediction that the two historic gold medals she earned will be the beginning of more athletic glory to come to the school in the future.

“I really want to express how grateful I am at this time to witness this historic genesis of Holland High School in Boys’ and Girls’ Championships. We call it the genesis; and what a genesis it was!” he said as he lauded track and field coach Garth Smythe.

“I really want to commend you and I pray that from here onwards it will be immense success,” Evans added.

Smythe was equally impressed with the display of grit from the Class Four sprint relay team, even though they did not make it to the finals.

“The execution from [starter’s] gun to [finishing] tape, from these young ladies, it is my highlight of the championship. Those Class Four girls, they had the whole stadium talking about them. Those four girls did not get to the finals but their execution when they ran, that’s my highlight,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

But Monday belonged to Douglas.

Among those singing her praises was head boy Jamie Ferguson.

“I wasn’t able to attend Champs but seeing my school’s name on social media and Shanoya’s name was very exciting, especially [as] we are a new school, just 21 years old,” Ferguson told the Observer.

“It’s great that our name is being put out there and Shanoya’s excellence is being displayed. She truly works hard,” he added.

Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles also lauded Douglas for her accomplishments on the track, saying her “journey to Champs has been a testament of what hard work, perseverance and unwavering determination can achieve”.

“You have represented your school with grace and discipline. Your achievement not only brought honour to Holland High but has also set a shining example for all students across the parish, reminding us that with hard work and passion, excellence is within our reach,” Gentles said.

A delighted member of the Holland community, who gave his name as Sheldon, noted that Douglas has lifted the stocks of the entire community.

“We proud of Shanoya, man; we happy to see Holland on the map. Oh God, man; we proud a dat. We hope her career brings her far. And we nah sell her neither, we nah sell her. She is going to represent Trelawny, like Usain Bolt,” he insisted.

Douglas became the fourth-fastest ever Jamaican junior, after running a personal best and world-leading 10.98 seconds (0.7m/s) to win the Girls’ Class One 100m on Wednesday’s second day of Champs at the National Stadium. She further established herself among some of the very best Jamaican junior female sprinters of all time after she broke the national Under-20 200m record with a time of 22.36 seconds (-1.6m/s) to win the Class One gold medal during the event.

Principal of Holland High School Dayle Evans (right) welcomes Shanoya Douglas (second right, front row) and her peer athlete Johan Ramaldo Smythe (third right, front row) to the school on Monday. At left is Coach Garth Smythe. (Photos: Horace Hines)

Holland High School students eagerly await the arrival of star junior athlete Shanoya Douglas at the school on Monday.