José Martí Technical High School student cops inaugural Rohan Silvera Business Award
JOSÉ MARTÍ Technical High School student Laterell McKenzie was last week recognised as the top business student at the St Catherine-based institution.
For gaining nine business subjects in the Caribbean Examinations Council’s external tests, he was awarded the inaugural Rohan Silvera Business Award, two trophies, a plaque, and a $100,000 cash prize which, he says, “I am going to put… to my university fund”.
McKenzie was presented with his prizes during the Founder’s Day Celebrations and Awards Ceremony, organised by the Past Students Association, and which was held on the school grounds recently.
Among the challenges he said he and other students experienced during the last three years, was being able to fully adapt to the online modality of instructional delivery. He said that “it was very hard to study and to keep focused”.
He said that upon the resumption of face-to-face classes, he recommitted to working harder in his studies, intent on improving on his humble beginnings and having a better life.
He quipped that business was his favourite subject“from day one” when he entered high school, but said that he got to the top of his class through sheer hard work, adding, “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 shared.
McKenzie, who said he was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, praised 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 stated.
Chairman of CDACC Holding Limited, Rohan Silvera, shared that in 1991 when he graduated from the school he got a similar award. He said that this award will be presented annually, and that he will be offering mentorship support for 10 grade-nine students. “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 said.
“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,” Silvera stated.
In lauding McKenzie, Silvera said he can be an example for other young people in his community to “see and know that they, too, can make it”.
Head of Business Education at the school, Maxine McCay, described McKenzie as hardworking, 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”.
She commended Silvera, saying that for a past student to establish an award in his name, “it is a good move”, 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,” McCay shared.