Photo Caption: Joshua Atkins (left) Grade 13 graduate at Excelsior High School, accepts awards for outstanding performance in CAPE History, Law and Sociology from Jamar Howell, guest speaker and Sales and Relationship Manager at JN Bank, during the graduation ceremony held at the school on November 28. Joshua was also the recipient of the Sixth Form Coordinator’s Award for Excellence. Three hundred and thirty-two graduates, who completed grades 11 and 13 in the last school year, participated in the school-leaving exercise.
“I was surrounded by many negative influences, but I made a conscious decision not to let them define me,” was Jamar Howell’s, Sales and Relationship Manager at JN Bank, determination as he navigated his way from a divided inner-city community into corporate Jamaica. He narrated his story during a stirring message to 332 graduates of Excelsior High School during their graduation ceremony on November 28.
Recounting his journey growing up on Jacques Road in Mountain View, eastern Kingston, Mr Howell, a former head boy of the school and guest speaker at the event, spoke candidly about the negative influences he faced in his youth and how he shunned them.
“I’ve never smoked, even though it was a common sight around me. Unfortunately, I witnessed many young men fall victim to violence or end up in prison, but I was determined that would never be my fate,” he related.
The banker shared that when his parents couldn’t afford to send him to sixth form, he took the initiative to fund his education himself.
“Every day after school, I would go straight to a fast-food restaurant, where I worked from 3:00 p.m. until midnight. In the wee hours of the morning, I would be on my way home to get a few hours’ sleep and then to get to school by 7:30. Had I not done this, I could not have matriculated to UWI [The University of the West Indies]. I was the first person from my family to go to university,” he said, adding that it was rare for someone in his community to pursue tertiary studies.
“You have the power to shape your own path and soar, no matter what setbacks you face. Keep believing in yourself, stay determined, and keep pushing forward. You can soar, no matter where you start or where you are from,” he emphasised.
Despite facing numerous hurdles, Mr Howell completed a bachelor degree in social work with a minor in gender development studies at the UWI followed by an MBA in Management and Finance from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. In addition, he achieved many notable accomplishments, including the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in 2011, in recognition of his work to engage other youth in his community and other inner cities. His work led to the establishment of a youth club in Mountain View and another in Denham Town. Mr Howell also served as Youth Parliamentarian and Financial Controller for the National Youth Council of Jamaica. In 2014, he was appointed a Youth Ambassador by the Government of Jamaica to represent the country as a youth diplomat at the United Nations General Assembly.
He was also one of the youngest Justices of the Peace for Kingston, when he was appointed at 28 years old in 2017. He also currently serves as the Chairman of the JN Sports & Social Club.
“Don’t let the world tell you that your dreams are too big or too ambitious. Dream boldly, dream fearlessly. The future is waiting for those who believe in what might seem impossible. It belongs to those who refuse to settle for the ordinary,” he told the graduates.
Mr Howell also encouraged them to be fearless in their pursuit of success and not be afraid to take risks.
“The world is full of doors waiting to be opened. In the past, many of the doors that you can now open simply didn’t exist, but today, more than ever, the world is ready for fresh ideas, new perspectives, and people who are bold enough to push boundaries. You have the power to be the innovators, the problem-solvers, and the change-makers,” he stressed.
“There is no limit to how high you can soar. You don’t need to be afraid to soar because you are equipped with everything you need to rise.”
The graduates were required to achieve at least five subjects at CSEC to be eligible for graduation. At the Grade 11 level, Jada Markland emerged top female student in the external examination with 10 subjects, while Rouyon Mignott, was the male counterpart achieving 11 subjects. At the grade 13 level, Joseph Morgan earned the Excelsior High School Award for Leadership and School Citizenship, and Joshua Atkins, the Sixth Form Coordinator’s Award for Excellence.
