Renae Williams – A Youth with Extraordinary Dreams

MONTEGO BAY — Many teenagers find themselves involved in negative activities such as drug abuse gangs, illicit sex, and pregnancy, but Renae Williams, is one positive teenager who believes in herself and is determined to chart a different path.

The energetic high achiever from Clarendon is one of three youth in the county of Middlesex who was presented with the Governor-General's Youth of Excellence Award for the year 2011.

“I consider myself to be a normal youth who has extraordinary dreams and therefore I try my best in everything that I do. I am full of energy and so I believe that my energy must be put to good use. To whom much is given, much is expected and therefore I believe that with all that has been given to me by my family and my school then it is only right for me to give back to my community,” the Glenmuir High School past student tells JIS.

Although surprised, Renae is also very happy that she was chosen for the Governor- General's Youth Award, pointing out that she was not expecting any recognition for her achievements, let alone her voluntary service to the community.

Renae has made much of her years at Glenmuir, achieving enviable passes in 11 subject areas in the Caribbean Secondary School Examinations (CSEC). She was also successful in her Unit One courses for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

In addition, she served as Head Girl in Upper Sixth Form from 2010 to 2011, and was awarded for initiative, courtesy, and exemplary conduct. She was also honoured for her academic achievements and was presented with the Lankaster Shield for Academic Excellence.

“I am looking forward to attending the University of the West Indies (UWI) in the new school year but I am doing a lot of waiting; waiting on the results from my other exams (CAPE –Unit 2 and Caribbean Examination Council (CXC)), waiting on the Faculty at UWI to accept me, waiting on finances, among other things but I believe that in waiting, the Lord is teaching me to be patient so I will just continue to wait,” she says, noting that her career path should lead to her dreams of becoming a medical doctor.

Along with the Glenmuir maroon red and white tunic, Renae owns another uniform, as she has been active in the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force for some seven years, moving from being a recruit cadet to a Lance Corporal and now the rank of Sergeant where she continues to fulfill the motto, ‘To unite, to serve, to lead’.

“Being a cadet is not easy but it is a good thing because it has taught me how to be disciplined and has shown me the importance of serving; serving others without expecting anything in return. It is a significant character builder. It nurtures within the young people, pride, integrity, honesty and trust among other things,” Renae says.

A most memorable moment, she tells JIS, was when she made the island-wide Cadet shooting team, and is very proud of the fact that she was one of only two girls on the team.

“To make this team, you had to be able to manage the weapon (a .303 rifle) well and it would call for a lot of physical activities and I always thought that because men have a lot of testosterone they have a greater advantage than women but during that period i was determined to make the team and my determination paid off. I saw myself at the back of the team or being the least on that team but in seeing myself as the least and at the rear I said to myself that I was going to play my part to the best of my ability and hold up the rear well,” she says, stressing that she was determined to succeed.

As a very active volunteer, she has assisted the youngsters at the Anderson’s Place of Safety in Manchester as part of the Cadet’s outreach project. She has also provided many hours of service at the May Pen Public Hospital and the May Pen Infirmary, as well as participated in clean up campaigns at Alligator Pond.

Renae says is interested in establishing an association that will  reach out to the indigents in her parish, noting that she has a passion for assisting street people.

“I believe in living a purpose driven life… one that brings happiness to others and fulfillment. I find fulfillment in looking out for the indigents and helping to make their living condition better and that is why I am so passionate about street people because they are broken mentally, physically and spiritually,” she said, citing that she sees it as her duty to help these persons in whatever ways she can.

When asked if she has issues with peer pressure Renae firmly assures that she is a "trendsetter" and not a follower. “It is not about what other persons my age might be doing, like going to parties, clubbing and engaging in all other kinds of activities but it is about me and I see myself as being different. As young people we have a lot of energy and God has given us strength. We might be faced with a lot of issues but we have to try and stay focused and use the power within us to control the world and not let the world control us,” she says.

Being a member of the May Pen Seventh Day Adventist Church, Renae also believes that she was “called” to serve in the church and so she channels her energy into singing on the youth choir, as well as in her leadership role for the Pathfinders Club in the parish of Clarendon.

Her mother, Edith Williams tells JIS that she is overjoyed to know that her daughter was selected as the 2011 recipient for the Governor-General’s Youth Award for the parish of Clarendon.

“I am happy to know that the foundation that we lay at home is paying off and not only in the home but, the school and the church has played a major role in Renae's life,” Mrs. Williams says, adding that Renae is also a Bronze and Silver recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

With tearful eyes she tells JIS that Renae was born to be a leader, reflecting on one particular situation when her daughter at a much younger age, preached to a congregation of over 300.

“In all things I have to give God thanks because he picks up the humble and puts them on a rock to stand and today I bless the Lord for what he has done. Right now Renae keeps on saying that she is going to University in September, but with the economic situation in the home, it is a challenge for us to come up with the money for her to go, but she is such a positive child who encourages us to believe God for all things,” Mrs. Williams says.

She is encouraging Jamaican youth to stay positive and think big, always believing that whatever the mind can conceive can be achieved.

The Governor-General’s Youth Award for Excellence, an initiative of His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Kenneth Hall, was first presented in 2006. It is presented in recognition of excellence among Jamaican youths in the age cohorts 25 to 35, and 18 to 25 for their academic achievement, community service involvement, and leadership skills.

Major sponsors of the programme are the Gleaner Company Limited, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), the Bank of Nova Scotia, Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), and First Caribbean International Bank (CIBC).

By ALDEEN CAMPBELL, JIS Reporter