Message from Necas Collins -Mentor

Necas Collins General Manager at Verizon

I was fortunate to meet Miss Greta Bogues eleven years ago as young boy from Tivoli Gardens High school. I graduated and moved on to Jamaica College to play soccer. I was fortunate to get an internship to the PSOJ and I was recommended to meet her because of her affiliation with Seaview Gardens where I’m from.

Over the years, I’ve never disappointed her and because of that our relationship grew. I remember when I got my scholarship to go overseas to play soccer, she supported me with paying for my SAT classes and again with airfare when I needed to leave. When I was in college, she reached out consistently to check in and if I met any hardship, she would make connections with someone in her network to help ease the burden. She’s been there every step of the way.

She attended my wedding and shared in that beautiful experience with me and my wife who became a huge fan of Greta Bogues and the things she stood for and the things she preached.

I remember telling her that I always kept her close because of how much I appreciated what she had done for me throughout my life and I didn’t want to disappoint her. She only asked for one thing and that is for me to pay it forward.

She meant a lot to me and I will miss her and lot. I will continue to bring that torch and pay it forward to ensure that other children like me can get an opportunity like I did.

Thank you for all you’ve done and your legacy will live on through me.