José Martí High School Student Cops Inaugural Rohan Slivera Business Award

After experiencing significant setbacks in his education consequent on the curtailment of classroom instructional delivery by COVID-19, Laterell McKenzie has emerged as the top business student at José Martí High School in St. Catherine.

For attaining nine business subjects in the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) external tests, he was awarded the inaugural Rohan Silvera Business Award, two trophies, a plaque, and a $100,000 cash prize which, he tells JIS News “I am going to put… to my university fund”.

Laterell was presented with his prizes during José Martí’s recent Founder’s Day Celebrations and Awards ceremony at the school, which was organised by the Past Students Association.

Among the challenges he says he and other students experienced during the last three years was being able to fully adapt to the online modality of instructional delivery, noting that “it was very hard to study and to keep focused”.

Laterell points out, however, that upon the resumption of face-to-face classes, he recommitted to working harder in his studies, noting that he was intent on improving on his humble beginnings and having a better life.

The student, who notes that business was his favourite subject from day one when he entered high school, recounts that he got to the top of his class through sheer hard work, adding that “my parents pushed me”.

“So, I had to take up my books most evenings, and at school I had to be very focused. I had problems with some subjects and had to go to the teachers to ask how to [do] them, and it has worked out,” he further shares.

Laterell, who says he was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, praises his teachers for affording him the time and guidance to enable him to get back on track with his quest to becoming a high achiever.

“To my father and mother, I made it through your efforts, and your prayers, and to my teachers, I am grateful,” the aspiring real estate professional states.

Chairman of CDACC Holding Limited, Rohan Silvera, who informs that in 1991 when he graduated from the school he got a similar award, tells JIS News that it will be presented annually, while advising he will be mentoring 10 grade-nine students.

In lauding Laterell, Mr. Silvera says he can be an example for other young people in his community to “see and know that they, too, can make it”.

“We will be doing a lot more at José Martí High School… this is my school, and every year we will improve on it,” he states, while encouraging the students to “continue to push on”.

“With resilience in life, you do not give up, if you fail something, you continue to press on. If obstacles come in your way, you try and jump over – you have resilience in you, and it will lead to excellence,” Mr. Silvera states.

Head of Business Education at the school, Maxine McCay, describes the awarded student as hard-working, well-mannered, disciplined, and “never one to move away from our teaching – always ready to work, always on time for class; he is the perfect student; a student that you really want to work with”.

Stressing that she wants her student to continue the drive that he has, she says on his road to excellence, he is one that must achieve his dreams and goals.

For a past student to establish an award in his name, she says “it is a good move”, noting that it is an investment for the future, and the sharing of valuable information to inspire the current students to strive for success.

“Many of our students have needs, and without the past students, some of them would not be able to realise their dreams in the way that they are doing now,” Miss McCay shares with JIS News.

Under Vision 2030 Jamaica, which is the country’s first long-term National Development Plan, it states that in an increasingly knowledge-based global economy, one of the key advantages that a country can offer is the “quality of its human capital. A well-trained workforce is emerging as one of the key drivers of a country’s prosperity and competitiveness.”

The Plan also notes that the pervasive impact of globalisation on developing countries dictates that persons need to be prepared to utilise opportunities, make meaning of the changes in national and “personal goals, and select their niche careers in a global marketplace”.

In addition, persons should be willing and prepared to select career paths that are consistent, not only with their personal vision, goals, and abilities but are anchored on the needs of the labour market”.