Jamaican Track and Field legend Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce was given the key to the city by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) on Thursday morning.
The ceremony took place at the Douglas Orane Auditorium at the Wolmer’s Trust High School for boys.
This comes after a resolution approved in September 2024. “This is to honour her at the school where she first showcased her extraordinary talent. She’s also an major inspiration to almost every Jamaicans, said the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby”.
Shelly-Ann, more known as the “Pocket Rocket”, cemented her place in Track and Field as one of the greatest female sprinters in history. Born in Kingston, she rose to greatness by winning gold in the women 100 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Caribbean woman to claim that title.
The track star surprised the students and staff after making a donation of US$50,000 which converts to approximately JMD$8 Million, to alma mater, Wolmer’s High School for Girl’s.
“This institution mold me into the woman I am today. “I walked into Wolmer’s for the first time in 1999 and it changed my life entirely. Being here was a moment that, not only for me but also for those who I’ve encountered has always poured into me. from the nurse to the librarian to Mrs. Montague and Mr. Carr, she said”.
“From Waterhouse to Wolmer’s and now the World stage, I don’t think anyone would understand the power of the community and how much the journey that has been rooted in strength, faith and perseverance started here at my school, Wolmer’s!
I am beyond grateful for this honour and I don’t take this lightly because I believe in impact. I believe in making sure the next generation that is coming up after me will understand the importance of trusting the time of your life and trust that God is good and he will, at the right time make all your dreams come to reality, she added”.
This is the second time Fraser-Pryce was given the keys to Kingston. In 2008, she was among several Jamaican athletes, including Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown, who were handed the keys to Kingston by the then Kingston’s Mayor, Desmond Mckenzie.