2 months ago
4
Western Bureau:
THE CITIZENS’ association of New Haven Heights, in Trelawny, last week unveiled a sign in their community to honour rising star athlete, Shanoya Douglas, who has been bringing them much joy with her achievements on the track.
Douglas, who represented the Trelawny-based Muschett High School at the recent 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), won two gold medals, capturing the Class Two 100 and 200 metres.
After Champs, Douglas went on to win four gold medals for Jamaica at the Carifta Games, topping the podium in the under-20 girls’ 100- and 200-metre sprints and then anchoring the 4x100 and 4x400 under-20 girls’ relay teams to victory.
“We are very happy and proud of you Shanoya. At the meeting to honour you, there was unanimous support,” said Florence Logan, a member of the citizens’ association.
“The only thing discussed was the format it would take, so this afternoon, we unveil this monument in your honour.”
Logan remembers the great promise Shanoya showed from her days running in house sports at Granville Primary School, where she regularly outpaced even boys in the cross-country event.
“I remember this little girl running past the boys as the route passed by my house. Little did I know then that I was seeing a champion in the making. Congrats, Shanoya, and I wish you all the best.”
Ivanhoe Gordon, who was the principal at Granville Primary School when Shanoya attended, said she was always a determined student, who knew what she wanted.
“Shanoya was dedicated, determined, and focused. She had goals set in both track and academics,” said Gordon.
“Her time-management skills were something to be admired. She no doubt took that to high school, and her success is testament to this. I am proud to have you among my thousands of shining stars.”
HONOURED BY GESTURE
Shanoya, who held a smile for the duration of the function, later told The Gleaner that she was honoured by the gesture and promised to always strive to make the residents proud.
“I am humbled and elated. The crowd here is like at Champs. Everybody is out cheering, and I appreciate it all,” she said.
Turning to the future, Shanoya revealed that she is in training, seeking to put herself in the best shape possible for the World Youth Championships.
“I have the World Youth Championships on my mind. I am in training first for trials and then the championships,” she said.
As it relates to life after high school, Shanoya has already decided on the path she plans to take, and track and field is at the heart of it.
“There are two goals that I have set for myself. I want to continue running and reach to the top like Usain [Bolt],” she said.
“You notice I run the same events as he ran. I say nothing more. I would like to get a scholarship to a university, where I can continue running and then qualify as a registered nurse.”
Elsa Sommerville, another resident of Shanoya’s community, is also revelling in her early success, saying her feats have had tremendous impact.
“When she ran at Champs, the whole community cheered for her. When she ran at Carifta, the whole country cheered. I hope this will continue long into the future,” said Sommerville.
English (US) ·