Western schools earn over $1 million in Champs incentives from GraceKennedy - JC’s Edwards named 2026 Don Wehby Sportsmanship Awardee

KINGSTON:

GraceKennedy (GK) announced that five schools from western parishes will share more than $1 million in cash, following standout performances by their student athletes at the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.

The awards form part of a special initiative introduced at this year's launch of Champs, where GK committed $104,000 to schools from western parishes whose students secured a gold medal. The gesture recognised both GraceKennedy's 104th anniversary, which was celebrated on February 14, and the continued recovery efforts in communities that were hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa in 2025.

Through the winning performances of their athletes, the following schools will receive cash grants:

Holland High - Shanoya Douglas, girls Class One 100m and 200m.

St Elizabeth Technical High School - Santino Distin, boys' Class One high jump; Anastacia Richards, girls Class Four long jump; boys' 14-19 1600m sprint medley team.

William Knibb Memorial High - Sanjay Seymore, boys' Class One 200m, Jamali Laing, boys' Class Three 100m hurdles.

Munro College - Javontae Smith, boys' Class One shot put, Brandon Lawrence, boys' Class Two shot put.

Mount Alvernia High - Veneisha Pottinger, girls' Class Three 200m.

INVESTMENT IN RESILIENCE

"These incentives go beyond celebrating performance," said Frank James, Group CEO of GraceKennedy Limited. "They represent an investment in resilience, in recovery, and in the future of these communities.

"We are proud to support these schools as they continue to rebuild and move forward."

This year's Champs also delivered a standout moment of individual recognition, with Jamaica College's Michael-Andre Edwards being named the 2026 recipient of the Don Wehby Sportsmanship Award.

Presented on the closing day of Champs, on March 28, the award, which was launched in 2025, honours a student-athlete who exemplifies excellence not only in performance, but in character and conduct. Vice captain of JC's track and field team, Edwards is widely respected for his leadership, discipline, and humility, both on and off the track.

"Michael-Andre represents the very best of what Champs stands for," James said. "His commitment to excellence, his leadership, and the way he carries himself set him apart. He is a fitting recipient of an award that celebrates not just achievement, but character."

In recognition of his accomplishment, JC will receive a $250,000 grant to support a project benefiting the wider school community.