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YEAR TWO of the Jamaica National (JN) and the Usain Bolt Foundation Heroes in Action 8K Run/Walk and 4K Fun Run has been given the thumbs up by JN’s general manager, Earl Jarrett.

The event, which brought together close to 2,000 participants in the picturesque, historical Georgian-styled town of Falmouth, more than doubled last year’s registration numbers, with a beaming Jarrett admitting that the charity races will be the recipient of international attention in 2017.

“I am very happy with what I have seen this year; the numbers have increased almost to double of last year and in any exam 100 percent is good,” said Jarrett.

“We definitely will be back next year with an international component to it, as we seek to make this event a bigger and indeed better one each time it’s held,” he added.

The 28-eight year-old Lenford Adams copped first prize and was named the overall winner of the event, after taking the staple event, the 8K Run, in a time of 30.31 minutes. The always present Ronique Williams took second place, crossing the finish line in 30.34, with third place going to Lucien Graham (40.36).

Ann-Marie Finegan took the top prize for the women in 39.21 minutes, as Ashelaun Linton took second in a time of 40.02. Seventeen-year-old Chantel Cornwall copped third in 40.36.

The 4K event, which criss-crossed the historic town, saw the William Knibb Memorial High School’s 14-year-old student, Shawna-Kay Prince, taking the crown. Denache Johnson of Melia Runners was second, with 11-year-old Marsha McKoy of Duncans All-Age third.

On the male side, the title went to 14-year-old Jamario Daley of JADA. Go-Run Running Club’s Andre Smith crossed the finish line in second and another pre-teen, 11-year-old Locordo Daley, was third, as various high schools used the event to sharpen their athletes’ strength and stamina ahead the upcoming track season.

Home town superhero, Usain Bolt, said his delight is with the cause to help children with various challenges. He was very demonstrative in pledging to support the event as long as it is held.

Bolt, the world’s fast man over the 100m and 200m, as well as sharing in multiple records with Jamaica’s 4x100m relay teams, obliged the crowd by signing autographs and taking selfies with his adoring fans.

He underlined his pleasure at being associated with the event on many levels, primarily because it means giving back to needy children and that it brings Falmouth to the public in a way not before seen.

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The Usain Bolt Foundation and the JN Foundation will be staging the second annual Heroes in Action Charity Run/Walk this Sunday.

Coinciding with the popular holiday weekend, the charity event, in its first renewal, will feature a 4K Fun Run and an 8K Run/Walk.

“This event will be an interesting addition to the activities taking place during the holiday period,” Saffrey Brown, general manager of JN Foundation, stated.

She pointed out that the event is another opportunity for citizens to demonstrate their commitment to nation building, as all the proceeds from the run/walk will go to the Victim Services Division of Trelawny and the Granville Place of Safety.

“We want to grow this charity run to become a must-do annual event over the Heroes Weekend,” Brown said. And she called on Jamaicans to demonstrate their civic pride, while having some good, clean fun.

The general manager also welcomed the partnership with the Usain Bolt Foundation which has become a seamless venture, as both Foundations have vested interest in the socio-economic development of Trelawny and the welfare of children.

“Usain Bolt is from Trelawny. He is familiar with the issues encountered by residents and their social needs in the parish, hence, this is one of the ways he is giving back to his birthplace,” Brown said.

She also stated that Jamaica National believes in “the power of rural regeneration”, therefore, many of its projects are directed to build rural communities by assisting and equipping them with the requisite resources to positively impact lives.

Since the launch of the run/walk in October 2015, the event has attracted the attention of schools and corporate groups, whose students and employees are willing to participate, and it has also garnered the support of leaders in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

INVESTING In JAMAICA

JN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Jamaica National Building Society, continues to mobilise Jamaicans locally and overseas to participate in activities to influence sustainable development, by investing in the

welfare of communities and the most vulnerable groups in our country, particularly children.

The proceeds from the run/walk will assist the Victim Services Division of Trelawny to deliver adequate and effective social services for the recovery of children who have fallen prey to crime, as well as to enhance the physical environment of the Granville Place of Safety, through the establishment of a multipurpose centre for the girls’ holistic development

To participate, interested persons may go to the nearest JN location or visit http://www.jnbs.com/runwalk; or https://www.runningeventsja.com. Donations are also accepted via Isupportjamaica.com or JN account #2094208750. Deposits to the account can be made at any JN branch or MoneyShop across the country.

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Sprinting great Usain Bolt has once again thrown his full support behind the Jamaica National Building Society (JN) Foundation Heroes in Action Run/Walk, which is again set for Falmouth – the capital of his home parish, Trelawny – on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Bolt, who, through the Usain Bolt Foundation, was a partner of the inaugural staging of the event in 2015, will once again demonstrate his support of an activity, which he believes is “a sustainable and important initiative that seeks to raise funds and support youth in various sectors of society”.

“I am a solid supporter of initiatives that benefit and empower the people of my hometown, and I am particularly pleased that this event has at its heart, causes that support organisations that work to protect our children and provide needed services in Trelawny,” he said.

This year, the event, which has been divided into a 4km Fun Run/Walk and an 8km Run, hopes to raise funds for the Victim Services Division of Trelawny and provide additional funds to last year’s refurbishment project at the Granville Place of Safety for Girls, which is also based in the parish.

Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation, emphasised that the event formed part of the organisation’s focus on rural development.

“Our efforts on behalf of the Victim Services Division of Trelawny will ensure that children who are victims of crime will receive adequate social services to aid their recovery,” she noted. “Our continued efforts with the Granville Place of Safety will provide the wards of the facility with additional educational resources to further bolster their future potential beyond the home.”

Funds raised will enable the Victim Services Division to acquire materials to support play therapy and art therapy, as well as the design and delivery of group-therapy interventions, benefitting young people in the parish. The completion of a multi-purpose resource centre for wards at the Granville Place of Safety for Girls will also be supported.

HEART OF OUR NATION

“Our focus on helping children is not by accident as we recognise that our children, whether in rural or urban Jamaica, are the heart of our nation and our future,” Brown noted.

She also encouraged Jamaicans at home and abroad who are not able to participate in the run to make a donation via the ISupportJamaica.com crowdfunding website, where they have a chance to receive Puma shirts autographed by Usain Bolt when they make contributions to the cause.

The run is being organised with technical support from the team at Running Events Limited and will take runners on a course through the streets of the historic town of Falmouth.

The 8km is designed to target sprint enthusiasts with a strong desire for competition, while the 4k Fun Run will be geared at engaging families and individuals, with various challenge stations, along with a historical aspect to educate participants on Falmouth while en route.

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With just over two weeks to go before the second staging of the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation Heroes In Action Run/Walk, slated for Falmouth, Trelawny, on Monday, October 17, defending male and female champions Ryon Chambers and Karen Blagrove are both confident about retaining their titles.

Unlike last year’s staging, the athletes will not compete over a 5K distance as, this time around, the organisers have decided to provide a 4K and an 8K route.

Both champions will journey over the longer distance. When The Gleaner caught up with them yesterday, they were both extremely upbeat and confident of winning again despite going an extra 3 kilometres.

Expecting Fast Time

“I definitely will run the longer event as the 4K is for kids, and being an elite distance athlete, running the 8K is my ideal event,” said Chambers.

“This is one of the best routes I have competed on because it is very flat and I am expecting a really fast time,” added Chambers.

Veteran Blagrove has hardly missed a road race in Jamaica and, despite her age, she is looking forward once again to defending her title in style and her stay in that part of the island.

“I am eager to compete once again. At this moment, I am actually trying to book somewhere to stay as I will be using the opportunity for a vacation in Falmouth and, after the race, I will spend few days touring,” said Blagrove, who also stated that she prefers the extended distance as she is in race marathon form at the moment.

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From as early as three years old, Chevano Baker’s resilience and fortitude to succeed was being shaped in and around the Christiana market, as he ventured out to the streets to increase the sale prospects for his parents who were market vendors.

He observed the hard work of his parents as they earnestly struggled to “make a sale”, and eventually, Baker was tasked to make his contribution to the income. He, along with his brother and their cousin, would scout for sales in the streets, driven by the need to secure their lunch money.

“I would sell shoe polish and matches. And we embraced it, knowing that it was something we had to do. And I felt that this hardship would give us a chance to beat the odds,” said the 21-year-old.

Throughout his high school years, Baker’s Saturdays were spent vending. He was the first to admit that it was not the easiest “part-time” job, as it exposed him to humiliation and crass remarks from his peers at school. However, he did not buckle under pressure.

“At school, my classmates who would say all sorts of negative things; but I motivated myself and never allowed the comments to derail my goal. I was working to assist my parents along a journey that would help me and my siblings to achieve our own success. And it was a part of a bigger picture, which they never saw.”

Fast-forward to years later, as Baker’s ‘stick-to-itiveness’ to achieve his academic goals, and defy the odds, would set an example for others.

A SUITABLE CANDIDATE

Recently, after completing his undergraduate degree in actuarial science at the University of West Indies, on an open scholarship, Baker was awarded the University of Birmingham and Jamaica National Foundation Legacy Scholarship.

It came as a surprise, but he was definitely qualified for the award.

“Looking for job opportunities and a scholarship were important for me,” Baker related. “Therefore, when I came across the JN Legacy Scholarship during my second year at university, I paid very close attention to the criteria. And I ensured that I would be a suitable candidate, based on my academic success and community involvement.”

The University of Birmingham and Jamaica National Foundation Legacy Scholarship, a three-year award, was launched in 2014. It affords one Jamaican student, annually, to study for a one-year master’s degree in a business-related field, at the UK-based institution, each year.

“I applied for that scholarship in my final year, when I became eligible, and was confident that I stood a chance. But, actually being selected was an amazing feeling,” he revealed.

This son of Clones district in Manchester will leave the country later this month to begin his graduate studies in financial economics at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Floyd Green, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Information and Youth, is urging parents not to discourage their children when they make non-traditional career choices.

“Parents, I must speak to you because sometimes the discouragement comes from the parents. Oftentimes when you hear your bright children say they want to go into non-traditional fields of endeavour, you are the one who says, ‘No, sah! Is how you going to survive?'” he said while addressing students and parents during the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation scholarship awards ceremony held at the JN head office in St Andrew yesterday.

Green argued that children should be allowed to explore more non-traditional careers so that they could take advantage of the changes in the labour market and the skills that are being required by employers.

Pointing to changes brought about by globalisation and technology, Green noted that the younger generation would be exposed to fields that were previously unheard of by their parents.

“Parents, you must guide them. You must question them and ferret out if this is really what they want to do, if they understand what they are taking up, and if they appreciate the size of their dream, but once you see that they appreciate that, then it is your duty to support them and encourage them along that journey,” he added.

Green further urged the 38 students who were officially named as JN scholars to take their education seriously in the pursuit of their dreams.

“Take your education seriously, and remember no matter what your dream is, you will have to work hard. There is no substitute for hard work; there is no such things as a easy road. There will be very difficult days, but you cannot achieve your dreams without hard work,” he said.

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Eleven-year-old Jada Myers, first-form student at Hampton School, who formerly attended Top Hill Primary, is not only overjoyed that she was placed at the school of her first choice in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), but that she also achieved her dream of receiving a five-year scholarship.

The Yardley Chase resident and former head girl, who scored an average of 97.8 per cent in the GSAT, is the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation Scholar for the parish of St Elizabeth.

“I feel accomplished and happy about being awarded a scholarship because I worked hard to get one. In addition, my teacher and family were hoping that I would receive a scholarship; therefore, I’m really glad that my hardwork has paid off,” she said.

Jada is one of 37 outstanding performers in this year’s GSAT who were awarded five-year scholarships, and will be officially recognised as JN Foundation Scholars at a scholarship awards reception to be held at theorganisation’s chief office on Sunday.

TOP STUDENTS

The annual awards, which was previously managed by the parent organisation, JNBS, up to 2014, has been in place for the past 33 years. To date, hundreds of students have been awarded scholarships to pursue theireducation at the secondary and tertiary levels.

“Annually, we recognise a top-performing student in each parish; and a top student in each county, who is a member of the JN School Savers Programme; as well as the children of JN Group employees who attain a minimum average of 85 per cent,” Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation, pointed out.

“The parish and county scholarships are awarded to students based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education, while JN employees apply on behalf of their children, once they attain the minimum average grade,” she explains.

Miss Brown noted that this year’s scholarship awardees join some 102 existing five-year scholarship holders, who were issued with awards over the past four years.

The awards are renewable annually and JN Foundation Scholars must maintain an average of 70 per cent for the renewal of their scholarship each year, during the five-year period.

Donna-Marie McDonald, parent of Stephan Griffiths, who received a scholarship in 2011 to attend Campion College, expressed her gratitude to the JN Foundation in an email recently.

She wrote, “The process for disbursement of funds was hassle-free and the JN representatives were courteous and professional. We did our part; and JN did their part by honouring their commitment on time, all the time.”

The JN Foundation scholarship programme also provides scholarships to students at the tertiary level.

Annually, 15 students attending the University of the West Indies, the University of Technology, Jamaica and the Northern Caribbean University are awarded a one-year scholarship to pursue undergraduate degrees in specificdisciplines. Tertiary students are required to apply for the JNBS Foundation’s one-year scholarship through the scholarship office at their respective university. One scholarship to the University College of the Caribbean is also extended to a JN employee.

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP

Additionally, for the past three years, three Jamaicans who successfully matriculated at the University of Birmingham Business School in the United Kingdom have also benefited from an 18-month full JN Legacy Scholarship.

This year’s GSAT Parish Scholarship recipients are Amri Hanson, Brandon Cheddesingh, Cardiff McKenzie, Dania Creary, Gabrielle Barrett, Jada Myers, Jada Glenn, Kentsania Samuels, Kyle Dunn, Leojai Hibbert, Romaine Barrett, Sashaunna Lamb, Shavecia Cole and Teiona Jones.

The JN School Savers Scholarship awardees, at the county level, are Daisja Langley, Alex Cephas and Ashae Whorms.

JN Employees’ Children Scholarship recipients are Aaron Robotham, Ajani Scarlett, Akeil Vassel, Alicia Campbell, Anya Gray, Arianna Eppes, Daena Wynter, Danielle Griffiths, Davian Skinner, Enidro Hall, Gabrielle Dixon, Jacey Henry, Jordan Palmer, Justin Williams, Keona McIntosh, Kiana-Jade Blackwood, Kymani Scarlett, Paris Campbell, Sydonae England and Zachary Gordon.

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The JN Foundation’s Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) mounted the first in the series of its Let’s Talk Social Enterprise 101 sessions, at the Grog Shoppe, Devon House on July 28.

Hosted by a fellow participant in the SEBI cohort, Empress Golding, the event was conceptualized to wet the appetites of persons and groups who are interested in the social enterprise sector.

Saffrey Brown, General Manager, JN Foundation , says that a part of the mandate for SEBI is to provide capacity building for the social sector; and to equip persons with the appropriate tools and strategies to maximize the efficiency and management of their operations.

To facilitate those objectives, the session was used as a medium to officially launch a Social Enterprise Toolkit for aspiring and existing social entrepreneurs and affiliates.

“Although SEBI recently expanded its group of participants, the project is mandated to build capacity beyond the current 21 Social Enterprises,” Brown  pointed out.

She further said  “this was a strategic decision coming out of our experience in the execution of the first phase of SEBI, which exposed the need for accessible resources to guide persons to operate sustainable and profitable social enterprises.”

The toolkit titled, Social Enterprise 101 is the second publication for the JN Foundation, which directly targets the social enterprise sector; and Opal Whyte, Project Manager, SEBI said that, “this edition documents a practical guide for stakeholders, about how to establish, operate and manage a successful social enterprise.”

She affirmed that, “with increased recognition of the social sector, it is anticipated that the event will lead to a fresh approach and interest in the operation and management of social enterprises.”

SEBI is a collaborative effort between the JN Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development  (USAID), geared to foster the development and growth of the social sector through mentorship of entrepreneurs operating social enterprises.

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DR Renee Rattray is a forthright, confident educator and nurturer who believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to fulfil their purpose and greatness within.

Born and raised in Red Hills, St Andrew, where she was known as ‘Mr Miller’s granddaughter’, Dr Rattray told

All Woman that her early life was filled with fun from attending church at Red Hills Baptist to school at Immaculate Conception High, where she was deeply involved in community service and leadership initiatives.

“Everything I have done has been about helping people to be better. From very young I have had great examples in my family and parents who have been helping people in the community or in their work. I’m driven by people and making their lives better.”

Dr Rattray shared that she would go on excursions with her parents every summer to learn about Jamaica, and also watch her mother care for people and help change their lives in her role as a probation officer, motivational speaker and social worker.

And so, with positive examples around, her course in life was charted, but it took one family member’s reality for her to truly realise her purpose.

“I had a cousin who lived with us and we had to go to Mico Care Centre to help to give him support. I saw how people helped him to improve, so I became interested in special education and decided to teach. I’ve always had some kind of inclination to lead and guide people. I’ve always known I could influence people, and that’s what teaching is,” she said.

After leaving sixth form, Dr Rattray told her father she would not pursue a career in law — much to his disapproval — and became a trained special education teacher at The Mico University College. She then did a degree in psychology at the University of the West Indies and went on to Columbia University to do a master’s in educational psychology, then pursued a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University.

Currently the head of learning and development with responsibility for education programmes at the Jamaica National Group, Dr Rattray has also served as one of the first inspectors with the National Education Inspectorate, project manager for PALS (Peace and Love in Schools), and principal of St Andrew Preparatory School — an experience she cherishes.

“At St Andrew Prep I was able to touch the lives of so many amazing little people with so much light and potential. I had fun and enjoyed everything about being there. I was mentored by the late Madge Broderick and she was an excellent administrator — very traditional in some ways, and a renaissance woman. She was a great person to introduce me to school leadership,” she said.

Having also been involved with the University Singers and Cathy Levy and Friends — experiences which taught her discipline, teamwork and the value of dreaming big — Dr Rattray exposed the children to similar pursuits.

“Even though we did stuff in the performing arts, she (Levy) taught us more than anything that it was really about discipline, teamwork, confidence, valuing yourself and dreaming,” she recalled.

“So I did a lot of work in the performing arts and the students got involved in everything possible, and I ensured it was a rounded place and a family environment.”

Since 2010, in her tenure at Jamaica National, Dr Rattray has managed to lead the Centres of Excellence programme — a school improvement initiative — and the iLead project which supports 10 schools in Region Two (St Thomas, St Mary and Portland) with technical capacity building and financial support to help them improve.

Also on the board of the Maxfield Park Children’s Home, Edufocal and the National College for Educational Leadership, Dr Rattray is passionate about fighting injustice and the lack of opportunity that some children have.

I get very angry when I hear that people have low expectations of our children and limit them or put them in a box and say that they’re not able to do what they can do. I’m intolerant of the system that doesn’t set our children up for success. I’m wanting to do everything in my power to make sure every child in Jamaica benefits from the best, because our potential is limitless and that’s a major passion of mine,” she said.

She’s also intolerant of belittlement and is big on empowering women.

“I remember Maya Angelou saying that she doesn’t allow people to be disrespectful of other people in her space. I’m learning and practising to do it to make sure that if it doesn’t come from a place of love, I don’t entertain it in my space,” she said.

Dr Rattray added: “I don’t have experiences with women where there is catfighting. We keep saying women don’t get along, but we need to stop saying that and fulfilling the prophecy. It’s something I don’t invite into my space and I believe there is power in that connection, and there is so much more we can do together than apart.”

A mother to a pair of twins, Dr Rattray loves London, Treasure Beach, Negril, Portland, and is inspired by her mother and Nelson Mandela because of his will to forgive. Her daily mantra is ‘I am enough’.

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More than 350 leaders from schools across Jamaica will be equipped with skills to raise stands at their institutions at a summit to be staged by the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation under its iLead Programme.

The event is scheduled for July 25 to 26 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.

Director of Education Programmes at the JN Foundation, Dr. Renée Rattray, who was addressing a JIS Think Tank on July 19, explained that iLead is a school-improvement initiative that the JN Foundation has undertaken in 10 schools that are in need of support based on the National Education Inspectorate (NEI) report.

She informed that the summit, to be held under the theme ‘Innovate. Impact. Lead: Join the Education Revolution’, will target principals, vice-principals, board members, heads of Parent-Teacher Associations and other leaders.

The two-day event will kick off with an opening ceremony, with Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, expected to deliver remarks.

Noted education expert and award-winning teacher and principal from Philadelphia in the United States, Salome Thomas-EL, will give the main address on the topic: ‘Failure is Never an Option’.

Dr. Rattray informed that Mr. Thomas-El is a “turnaround principal,” who has transformed several schools.  A chess expert, he uses the strategic board game to reach children in the inner cities, she noted further.

Other overseas presenters include: Science Professor at Columbia University, Dr.  Christopher Emdin, who will present on the topic ‘When Innovation and Magic Collide in Education’.  Dr. Emdin uses hip-hop to teach science to teachers and students.

Instructional leadership specialists Pete Hall and Taj Jenson from Atlanta, Georgia, with provide lessons on how to manage teaching and learning.

The local presenters include Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Maurice Smith, who will speak on the theme ‘Call to Action: Linking Central Office Practices to School Self-valuation and Improvement’.

‘Leading with the Big Picture in Mind’ will be the focus of the presentation by Leadership Consultant and Motivational speaker, Dr. Nsombi Jaja, while Leadership Consultant at Jamalysha Training Company, Jill Chambers will present on ‘Let the Revolution Begin: Bringing it all Together.’

There will also be panel discussions on the topics ‘Turnaround Leadership in Action’; ‘Innovate. Impact. Lead: Lessons for School Leaders’; and ‘Quick Wins: Bringing out Staff and Students’ Best’.

Educational Development Consultant and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Technology (UTech), Dr. Blossom O’Mealley-Nelson will moderate a discussion session on the topic ‘Enter the Boardroom: Creating and Sustaining a Highly Effective School Board’.

“We are expecting to have robust exchanges and interactive sessions among participants and facilitators,” Dr. Rattray said.

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