STORIES of triumph and resilience were prominent among recipients of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Power-up Community Renewal Primary Exit Profile (PEP) grants last Thursday, with many recounting the terror of Hurricane Melissa while revealing a determination stronger than the Category 5 storm’s winds.

For Dajanel Campbell, the memories of the hurricane ripping through her home in Lacovia, St Elizabeth, last October were the thoughts that filled her head as she stood on stage receiving her awards.

Dajanel told the Jamaica Observer that when the wind lashed her windows and broke them, taking with it the house’s roof, she embraced her siblings and prayed.

“It was rough. I prayed about three times. I prayed to God to stop restarting Melissa. I asked mommy when would Melissa be over. She said, ‘Either on Thursday or Wednesday’. And I was glad, hoping for Melissa to be over. And during that, I would just be praying, or I would just sit down peacefully hugging my siblings and telling them, ‘Let’s pray so that Melissa can be over.’

“So it was just really scary,” recounted Dajanel at the JPS Foundation Scholarship awards held at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Months after the storm passed, its impact was still strongly felt as Dajanel navigated PEP exams, the pressure of wanting to do well, as well as a home with severe structural damage and no electricity.

Still, her determination did not wane, crediting her mother, Yishka Sanderson, with keeping her motivated and disciplined even when her reality felt larger than her volition.

“Mommy helped me, because she brought some past paper questions with her and she told me I’m supposed to go through them and go on YouTube to find out some of the answers or do the answers on my own, and if I have hard times, she would help me…That’s how I prepared, with her motivation,” said the PEP scholar, who will be attending Black River High School in September.

“I love her so much for all that she has done for me; so I’m feeling happy, but I would give the credit to my mother for helping me succeed in life,” added Dajanel.

Sanderson embraced her daughter as she told the Sunday Observer that she’s filled with pride and joy. Despite the ravages of Hurricane Melissa, she never doubted her daughter’s capabilities.

“We can now smile. At first it was hard; we have to go through the process of motivating them to go to school. I mean, it was difficult, but JPS stepped in and they offered them extra lessons and stuff…It was challenging, because we hadn’t recovered fully from Hurricane Beryl [in 2024], and then to have Melissa come…and we had COVID before, so it was hectic, but you still have to motivate them, and you still have to ensure that they get things done,” said Sanderson.

Another award recipient is Tarique Fowler, whose White House, Westmoreland, home sat in the direct path of the hurricane.

Stephanie Fowler (left) hugs her nephew Tarique Fowler, a recipient of the Jamaica Private Service (JPS) Power-up Community Renewal Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Grant alongside fellow awardee Dajanel Campbell (second left) and her mother Yishka Sanderson. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“To know that I’ve been through so much, yes, I’m feeling happy, but it was terrible. It was terrifying! There was a lot of wind, the glass was breaking, a lot of things, the water was coming in, it was horrible,” recounted Tarique.

The youngster, who will be attending Manning’s School in September, shared that he managed to stay dedicated to his studies through the support of his parents, aunt, and his faith in God.

His aunt, Stephanie Fowler, told the Sunday Observer that she played an instrumental role in keeping him focused and mentally calm, as she knew his hard work would pay off.

“Up until this point my home isn’t fixed yet, but I am still thankful because, honestly, I am a God-fearing person so I always, always look to God for guidance. But I knew he would get through because he works hard, so he worked for it. Today, I’m thrilled, I’m speechless just watching him, and this is just the beginning of the journey for him, I’m sure,” mused Fowler.

As for scholarship recipient Giomar Vassell, Hurricane Melissa was the biggest challenge of his academic journey. He told the Sunday Observer that his home was badly damaged by the storm, resulting in several of his textbooks and notebooks being either soaked or blown away.

“I couldn’t even look over my work because it was wet. My project, all of those documents were wet…Everything blew away. I couldn’t go to school for a long time. It was sad. So I’m feeling happy because I passed for a good school and made my family feel proud of me,” said Giomar, who will be attending Belmont Academy in Westmoreland.

Giomar’s mother, Olivia Burnett, recounted the journey as a hard but rewarding one, hugging her son in a moment of sheer pride.

“It’s been a rough time during Melissa. When Melissa passed, everything in the house was damaged…When he started back going to school, I didn’t even have any clothes to make him wear to school, but he got good results and I see him here today and I’m feeling so good and proud today to be here at Pegasus hotel with my son — a recipient of the JPS Foundation grant,” said Burnett.

The JPS Foundation Power Up Scholarship Programme provides financial support for Jamaican students pursuing science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) fields, and features categories such as the Power Up STEM Scholarship for tertiary and teachers’ college students, and the JPS VOLTS PEP Scholarship for grade six students.

This year, 25 new students were awarded scholarships totalling $6 million. With the addition of students who successfully renewed their grants, the tally rises to 41 recipients and $11 million.

JPS president and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant congratulated the scholars and wished them well on their academic journeys.

“I say to you, let us continue to be diligent. Let us continue to be confident. There is a quote from [National Hero] Marcus Garvey that resonates with me and informs me, and the quote says: ‘Without confidence in self, you are twice defeated. But with confidence, you are on your way.’ So I encourage you, students, to lean in, be confident, you’re a big deal…” said Grant.