Trae Rodney scores big with GraceKennedy Foundation $300,000 scholarship
Published:Thursday | November 14, 2024 | 12:05 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
On Wednesday, November 6, Trae Rodney was selected as a Rafael Diaz Merit Scholar by the GraceKennedy Foundation and awarded a $300,000 scholarship that is renewable each year until his course of study is completed. He is required to maintains the criteria under which the scholarship is given, which include maintaining a 3.0 GPA and above, and conducting a mentorship programme in collaboration with the GraceKennedy Foundation.
The 18-year-old, though excited about the opportunity, was reserved in his aspirations for the future. “I set goals in small stages, and I am still in the process of figuring out my university life, and exactly what I would like to achieve in a few years,” Rodney said.
Since fourth form in high school at St George’s College, Rodney knew he wanted to study economics, which he said teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are useful in many different career paths. These skills, he believes, can help to identify important information in statistics and text, and help to make decisions based on facts.
“Economics helps you understand how people, businesses, markets, and governments work. This can help you respond to opportunities and threats in a changing world,” he said.
Rodney’s interest was sparked by the many opportunities that are available to economics majors, including careers in law, finance, politics, public administration, entrepreneurship, and more.
“My interest in economics was piqued because it is a subject that I thoroughly enjoy. It brings a lot of opportunities in the work world and I can choose a number of areas to matriculate into. I have followed through with the subject and I have completed studies at the CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] and CAPE [Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations] levels,” he said.
Rodney is currently in his first year of study at The University of the West Indies, Mona, pursuing a bachelor’s of science degree in economics.
Over the years he has had his fair share of academic achievements. The once shy grade-six student at Our Lady of the Angels Preparatory School has grown and blossomed into a leader among his peers. At the primary level, Rodney was consistently on the honour roll, and was a prefect during his upper school years from grades four to six. For his efforts, he received multiple scholarships.
TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE
However, nothing prepared him for the transformational experience he would encounter during his transition to St George’s College. “It took me a while to adapt to the Georgian lifestyle, and I had my fair share of challenges. During these times, there is no way my younger self would even fathom that I would become head boy of the institution. I did not recognise the level of transformation that I would have to encounter,” Rodney said.
Rodney is a recent graduate of St George’s College and after seven years he left the institution as its head boy, president of the Debating Society, a Key Club member, senior badminton player, and a volunteer with the Salvation Army School for the Blind.
“The expectations for me were very high. Even as head boy I was a role model for the institution; and I represented the school at very levels. I also witnessed the support of my peers, and I enjoyed every moment of it,” he said.
For his CSEC grades, Rodney, achieved nine subjects, grades ones and twos. At the CAPE level, he completed studies over two years in economics, management of business, history, accounts, Caribbean studies, and communications studies.
Following his stellar performance at St George’s College, Rodney and his family foreshadowed that his university education would be met with some financial difficulty. He was encouraged to apply for the GraceKennedy Foundation Scholars Awards, and if he was successful, this would greatly offset some of his tuition expenses.
The GraceKennedy Foundation awarded over $25 million in scholarships for the new academic year to support Jamaican students attending The University of the West Indies, the University of Technology, Caribbean Maritime University and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.