By Claudia Gardner:
Principal of the Maryland All-age School Andria Dehaney and her compatriots Jodian Frame and Ayanna Suckoo, copped top honours for the parish of Hanover at the Governor General Achievement Awards, which was held virtually, on Thursday evening.
The awards were presented to the three women by Custos Rotulorum of Hanover, Dr. David Stair on behalf of the Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen.
A Rusea’s High School old girl, Dehaney Grant, who is also Councillor of the Sandy Bay Division, was presented with the award for the over-35 age group category for the parish.
In her citation which was read during the online ceremony, Dehaney Grant, who is Deputy Mayor of Lucea and vice-chairman of the Hanover Municipal Corporation, was lauded as a champion for the development of her community and her school.
“Her dedication to Jamaica’s public education system, has made her a two-time finalist for the Lasco Principal of the Year Award,” the Governor General’s citation said of Dehaney Grant, who has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Applied Social Relations and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.
“Students and residents of the Maryland community can attest to, and honour her matriarchy and leadership. She is the founder of the Shining Star Youth Club that engages young people and the elderly alike, in community activities that empower them and enable inter-generational exchange,” it added.
Dehaney Grant told Negril Times that being bestowed with the GG’s Award was a distinct honour for her, as it was one of the island’s most esteemed accolades.
“I am indeed honored and grateful to receive this prestigious award. Being a young lady from a rural background, I want this be a motivation for the young persons around me, so that they can understand that they too, can achieve anything in life, if they continue to be focused and to just work hard to ensure that Jamaica becomes a better place for all of us to live work raise our families and do business,” she said.
“Once again I must say that I am indeed also humbled, to be given this award. I know that as Jamaicans, the awards from the Governor General are indeed ones that persons look forward to achieving, so to be in that category, that level where I am being recognized, by the Governor General, I am indeed grateful, honoured and I think that I am really privileged. I want to thank God for having given me the insight, the inspiration so that I could work to become the person who I am today…because if I can do it, anyone can do it. We have to all just stay focused, stay positive and work towards our goals,” she added.
Spanish teacher Jodian Frame took home the award for the 25 to 35 age group for the parish. She was lauded for, among other things her contribution to modern language education in the parish and her scholastic achievements.
“She leads an impressive career as a Spanish teacher and her love for Spanish education had brought her around the world,” her citation read.
“She started her post-secondary studies at the Sam Sharpe Teachers College where she copped many awards for her outstanding academic performance. While a student at the University of the West Indies, she was awarded the Chinese Ambassador scholarship for Academic Excellence and placed on the Deans’ Honour List. Outside of the classroom you will find Miss Frame volunteering on community projects in Hanover, or serving fervently in her role as a Lance Corporal for the Girls Guides Association of Jamaica,” it added.
The youth award went to former Ayanna Suckoo. She was presented with the 2021 Governor General’s Achievement Award in the 18 to 24 age group for her “outstanding academic performance and co-curricula involvement”.
“Upon graduating the Mount Alvernia High School, she received the coveted NCB scholarship in 2017, as the top student for Hanover and placed among the top four students across the island,” her citation read.
“She now pursues a Bachelors of Science in Social Work at the Northern Caribbean University and has received several awards for public speaking at the parish and national levels including the national Spanish and English debating competitions and the Jamaica Library Service’s National Reading Competition,” it added.
Each year, the Governor General selects 42 Jamaicans across three age group categories – 18 -24 years, 25-35 years and over 35 years, from each of the island’s 14 parishes for honours for leadership excellence.
According to Kings House, the selection criteria focus on ‘Family’, ‘Youth’, ‘Education’ and the nominees’ impact in their community.
The awardees’ “Creativity”, “Originality”, “Initiative”, and “Sustained Accomplishment” are also critical to their selection. In addition, “Academic Excellence” is an important requirement for nominees in the 18 -35 years age group categories.
Congratulations ladies of Hanover, continue to maintain the Hanover glory.
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