Sasha-Gaye Belnavis takes on JP challenge at age 28
Published:Friday | December 24, 2021 | 12:05 AMCecelia Campbell-Livingston/Gleaner Writer
Twenty-eight-year-old Sasha-Gaye Belnavis was the youngest of the 37 justices of the peace who were being commissioned into service at the Wembley Centre of Excellence, Hayes, Clarendon, on December 8.
Belnavis, who is a performing arts teacher at the Claude McKay High School, recently completed her master’s degree in special education at the Walden University in the United States of America.
A product of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Belnavis said she lives by the philosophy that art is one of the best tools to address the social ills in the society.
Commenting on her desire to serve as a JP, Belnavis said it has been a long-term desire as serving the members of her community in James Hill is her joy.
“There are several opportunities that would have presented itself, especially in regard to my career; however, I love my community and I believe in giving back to the highest level. There are a few barriers that I would love to break, for example, oftentimes work and opportunities are sometimes denied from us due to our age. However, I am happy to know that the platform has presented itself for me to be commissioned JP regardless of my age,” she shared with The Gleaner.
It is her hope that other young persons in the parish can understand that they, too, have the capacity to be given the title.
“My mom always say to me that make hay while the sun shines, there will never be the ‘right time’, so the moment the opportunity presents itself, I must make use of it,” she quipped.
The 2015 Miss Clarendon Festival Queen as well as the 2016 Governor General awardee for leadership and achievement, as well as the I Believe Ambassador and Prime Minister Youth Awardee for Nation Building, Belnavis said those are just steps to her ultimate goal to representational politics.
“I’m extremely passionate about using my leadership qualities to assist the vulnerable, the shut-ins, the mentally challenged and especially those living with disabilities. I would also love to use my expertise to contribute to making of our legislation, especially in the education system,” she opines.
She said it is her dream to one day highlight ways in which the performing arts can be merged with special education.
Belnavis, who said she thinks of herself as an ‘edutainer’ rather than an educator, shares that she is able to tailor her lessons to meet the needs of the children, knowing that one-fits-all approach is no longer accepted.
Listing volunteerism as her passion, Belnavis says she knows what it feels like to receive, hence she always ensures she passes on her blessing to others.
It was the need to give back that saw her starting her own charity in 2014 called Arts of the Heart – with the focus on assisting children with their theatre arts exam as well as assisting the vulnerable.
Belnavis, who said during her journey she has had several uphill and downhill moments, said she has never allowed her setbacks to hinder her from achieving her goals.
“I’m a determined young lady who knows exactly what I want in my life. Setbacks are natural but only you can stop yourself. My aim is to achieve a PhD in administration and leadership. My aim is to ensure that I continue to do all the good in all the ways I can. Regardless of where life takes me, my aim is to remain true to self, and for everything I do I must be grateful,” she notes.