GLEANER GREW ME - Jodi-Ann Fletcher

Zoundria Kanhai, Youthlink Writer

Eighteen-year-old Jodi-Ann Fletcher is a first-year medical student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. She is a lady of many interests such as decorating, writing and reading The Gleaner, which helps her to keep up to date with current affairs.

"If only to glance at the cover page of The Gleaner when I pass the street vendors, I make sure to look at the headlines as I do not always have the time to stop and buy it. When my mom or dad brings home the newspaper, they always allow me to skim through it," she said.

Fletcher said The Gleaner is popular with Jamaican teens, as it is viewed as an avenue for leisure.

"The Gleaner is a lifesaver. It gives study aids to CSEC students, and even before that, to GSAT students. Also, simply to relax and read about music, different schools and fashion, Youthlink has been a staple of my high-school years. I recall that in fourth form, I was scouring the library at my mom's workplace for the Youthlink, and lo and behold, it was like they have taken only that section out of the paper. I am positive The Gleaner is read by many of my friends in some shape or form," Fletcher said.

The Gleaner also serves as a bonding tool with her father, as she recalls memories of them sharing a laugh over comic strips in her primary-school days and confesses that she is not much of a "news buff in regards to The Gleaner".

"I much prefer The Gleaner for the comic strips. It was fun and an activity I could do with dad, so it was and still is my favourite next to Youthlink. My earliest memories were when I was in the primary level and would read the cartoons in The Sunday Gleaner with my dad and do the puzzles," she said.

She added: "I have learned that The Gleaner has a lot to offer. Now that I am in university, I often glance through the newspaper to see what is happening in Jamaica and the world. I sometimes find lovely surprises like scholarship sources and cookbooks.

"It is a means to keep abreast of the news without the hassle of listening through an entire news broadcast, and simply has more to offer in terms of entertainment and wellness."