Service in Clacken’s DNA
19-y-o St Elizabeth GGAA recipient making impact
Published:Friday | June 30, 2023 | 1:26 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
THE MOMENT Ajaé Clacken’s name was called as the first 2023 recipient of the Governor General’s Achievement Award (GGAA) 2023 yesterday, he realised the true reason the universe forced him to remain in Jamaica a year ago despite having his eyes set on going overseas to study.
After completing seven years of studies at Munro College in June 2022, the 19-year-old’s intent was to enroll at Yale University in the United States to pursue a bachelor’s degree. However, as fate would have it, those plans failed to materialise. And now, Clacken is still in Jamaica, basking in a moment to cherish all because of his passion to serve, a passion that appears to deeply line his genetic make-up.
He told The Gleaner that he applied late last year to Yale University, but due to setbacks of the pandemic, he did not make it to the US.
It was a situation that worked out just well for his alma mater as immediately after he graduated last year, he was called upon to remain and help educate sixth-form students for this academic year.
“Unfortunately, there was somewhat of a shortage [of personnel] to assist some of the boys with CAPE sociology and law. I happily obliged, and I was happy to be on campus again and assist,” Clacken said to The Gleaner immediately after collecting his award from Sir Patrick Allen, governor general of Jamaica.
Teaching, on the other hand, is nothing new to him. It is a skill he said he started practising from the tender age of 11 at St Mary’s Primary School, where his leadership qualities also began to surface. Those qualities became evident not only in his community, but nationally, as he was a youth parliamentarian, junior mayor for St Elizabeth, and assistant vice-president on the National Secondary Schools’ Council.
“I started to teach individuals at my primary school – those who were a little slower in understanding certain concepts – and I used to have full-blown classes on a Saturday, where I was able to educate and bring some of my peers up to speed. That is where my passion for actual leadership and service would have initially started,” he said.
Those leadership traits, and more, such as hosting back-to-school drives, motivated Sir Patrick Allen to select Clacken as a GGAA awardee among the 36 persons for 2023.
“I am extremely elated to be a part of resounding individuals who would have given their lives to the public service and servitude, and being incorporated into that fold I am extremely elated, excited, and the work does not end here. I look forward to serving my country,” Clacken told The Gleaner.
“I do hope to continue motivating and uplifting the youth of Jamaica through whatever project, servitude that I can. I will give my best, wherever it is that I can to ensure that the mission and vision of Jamaica land we love is achieved this day and always,” he said.
Clacken had won Munro College’s Headmaster’s Award for Academic Excellence after attaining 18 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) subjects, including a regional merit in Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Law.
The St Elizabeth native served as head prefect at Munro College.
According to the citation read before he was awarded yesterday, Clacken “engaged in numerous outreach initiatives, has made a lasting impact, effecting positive change locally, regionally and internationally”.
He had also received two international diplomatic awards in Dubai for his Youth United Nations representation in 2021, Munro College’s Headmaster’s Leadership Award, and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s National Speech champion title.
Volunteerism has long been a cornerstone of Clacken’s life. His commitment to his community in St Elizabeth led to outreach initiatives for vulnerable youth in Berlin District and other surrounding communities, including clothing and food drives, back-to-school events, and tutoring support.
Clacken’s achievements also include serving as national president of the Jamaica Prefects Association, initiating Operation I.L.E.A.D., implementing restorative justice techniques in schools, contributing to children’s homes and infirmaries, and working on environmental rehabilitation projects.
He has also partnered with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency to ratify policies supporting vulnerable youth, organised free national classes for CXC exam preparation, and held motivational programmes and scholarship consultations.
With mere weeks left before the start of a new academic year, he still has his eyes set on going to Yale University in September.
“I do have high prospects of attending Yale University. That is my foremost choice. Definitely! That’s the only one I’m putting out there because that’s the one I want … . However, all things going well, coming this enrolment period, Yale will see me there,” he said.
He added that he still had not zeroed in on the programme he would pursue at Yale but said that it would either be “law-based or can complement law”.
In his presentation, Sir Patrick Allen congratulated all the 2023 recipients of the GGAA.
“I am greatly inspired by your compelling narratives of excellence, determination, and stewardship. Each of your stories adds a unique chapter to the programme’s legacy of exceptionalism within our society,” Sir Patrick Allen said.
“Together with many Jamaicans both at home and in the diaspora, I express profound admiration and gratitude for your outstanding achievements. You have recognised and emphasised your vital role in shaping the Jamaica in which we are proud to live, raise families, and do business. This is the impetus driving our shared ‘Vision 2030’ agenda,” he said.
He said this year’s theme, ‘Achieving More Together in Pursuit of Excellence’, encapsulates the nation’s collective ambition and commitment, and also conveys the potent message that Jamaicans can unite and work as one.
“As we celebrate the 2023 recipients of these prestigious awards, we applaud their remarkable achievements and aim to amplify their stories, reinforcing the significance of community and excellence. Their success stories should serve as a catalyst for inspiration, igniting the flame of ambition in the hearts of fellow Jamaicans from Morant Point to Negril Point,” Sir Patrick Allen said.
“As we progress on our journey towards greater achievements, let us remember the value of unity and the boundless possibilities that lie within us when we harness our potential. May the Governor-General’s Achievement Awards continue to be a symbol of national pride and a testament to the spirit of our people,” he said.