Students And Supporters Bring Energy, School Pride To Streets Of Kingston

The streets of Kingston came alive with vibrant displays of school spirit and pride on Friday (March 27) as students and supporters held their annual march to the National Stadium in Kingston.

The march is one of the highlights of the penultimate day of the Inter-Secondary Schools Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships (Champs), with supporters decked in school colours dancing and singing to the rhythmic beat of drums as they move to the stadium to cheer on their teams.

Kingston College (KC) students and supporters began their march from North Street, later linking up with St. Hugh’s High along Leinster Road, before both schools continued on to the National Stadium in a powerful display of friendship and celebration of youth athletics.

Jamaica College (JC) and Wolmer’s Boys’ and Girls’ School also mounted their own marches, adding to the vibrant pre-event atmosphere across Kingston.

Inside the stadium, the camaraderie shifted to focused rivalry as schools competed for the top prize.

Lacovia High School athlete Darrian Francis told JIS News that he was happy that his team was able to overcome the setbacks caused by Hurricane Melissa and compete at this year’s champs.

He noted that the institution, located in St. Elizabeth, was significantly affected.

“It was really bad. The field was like chaos because all the trees were down. We had to use the little space that we had [to train],” he shared.

Despite the setbacks, he said that the team remained determined.

“Little by little we all came in one by one and by the next couple of weeks everyone was there putting in the training that they could,” he noted.

Darrian said the school’s performance at Champs, so far, has been a point of pride.

“We are performing well. Despite the hurricane affecting us, we still came up here and are doing our best. Couple of us went to the finals; one of us got a medal… for us knowing that we are a small school… making it to semi and the finals has meant a lot to us,” he told JIS News.

Kingston College past student and supporter, Manawe “JD” Simpson, remained confident in his alma mater’s chances despite trailing.

“I’m a product of KC. I’m very confident that it’s still possible, as much as JC is in the lead. The energy is always here at KC; it’s win, lose or draw. The brave may fall but never yield. We are not giving up no matter what,” he said.

Petulia Rickman, who sells items such as school ties and vuvuzela [horns], said business has been slow, so far, but is looking forward to Saturday’s final day.

“This champs season this year is very slow, but we just give God thanks and hope more sales will come in,” she told JIS News.

Also sharing her expectations was Wolmer’s Boys’ School nurse, Tylo Palmer, who is optimistic about her school’s performance.

“I know that they will definitely place in the top five. We are here anticipating the fun, the excitement,” she told JIS News.

“I’m looking for the upcoming runners, the new runners. I’m glad that scouts are here at champs. Persons will be on the lookout for the next Usain Bolt, the new Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce,” she added, encouraging athletes to “run as fast as they can so that they will excel now and in the future.”

Adding a unifying perspective to the event was Conroy Allen, who, dressed in his ‘Anansi Man’ costume of the national colours, said his support extends beyond individual schools.

“I’m supporting everybody. Today, I support Jamaica, out of many one people. Even though we are competing we are all one people,” he said.

“I love that they (the athletes) have an opportunity to showcase their talent. A lot of the students are very talented, and to give them a platform is a great initiative,” he added.