�Ӱ��԰�

High school graduation season is the time when families get decked out in dazzling fits to celebrate their loved ones completing another stage of their lives.

But for Odane Grant, head boy at Penwood High School in St Andrew, his graduation on June 27 was not what he hoped for. Despite overcoming profound personal challenges to achieve the milestone, no blood relatives showed up.

“I feel good, I just wish … I had family support, cheering me on such a special day,” Odane lamented, as neither his mother nor father attended the event.

“The word is just disappointing,” he said. “I guess they could have just showed for this one, you know one time because they don’t really do anything.” Doing subjects such as business and maths, Odane navigated academic hurdles while supporting himself financially from a young age.

“I sold things on the school compound, even though it’s not right. When I became head boy, I did it less and started to work for a lady at her home in Beverly Hills. I would cook for her and she would pay me,” he explained. Due to inadequate living conditions at his paternal home, Odane currently resides with another family.

“The roof needs fixing, and my part of the space is leaking,” he said of the dwelling.

Throughout his journey, Odane found solace and support from unexpected sources, including the Hope��Fellowship Church and��his teacher Paulette McKenzie.
��

“It’s actually funny how over the years we grow, because before COVID, when I first went to Penwood, she was actually the teacher that I would say I didn’t like because she’s so strict and just so blunt,” Odane admitted. However, that changed when McKenzie became his mentor after he had a big choice about his CSEC preparations.

“She is an awesome person, she actually made me love maths because I didn’t like it. She makes the subject fun. She is the one that I can call for anything if I write a song, because I do music. She listens if I record music and everything else that I call on her for,” said Odane.

“She is really my super hero. Everyone at school thinks she is my mother. She is always there. If there’s an award that I need to collect, she’s the one upfront taking pictures. I do see her as my mother and even save her number as second mom.”

Life was just as hard for Odane in primary school.

“It was walking distance away, but I never got to school with, you know, the necessary things as a normal child would. You know, I got help from the cleaning lady, I call her Aunty Marva. She picked me up just like how Miss McKenzie did,” he explained. Aunty Marva, whose given name is Marva Lee McKenzie, expressed her delight at Odane’s success. She recalled that she decided to help him from the little she got from her salary as a janitor because she saw that he was a promising young man. Odane came to her attention after he was reprimanded for selling sweets at Tarrant Primary School. Odane views the McKenzies as his blessings, but stressed that he is thankful for all who gave him support.

“I’m thankful for all who are a part of my journey, including the Hope Fellowship Church on Tarrant Drive. They too have been a major part of my journey,” he said. Looking ahead, Odane aspires to pursue a career as a chef or in nursing and midwifery. He advised his peers who are facing similar adversities to keep pushing.

“Just do it. Don’t let your situation define you because in the end, it doesn’t work. You just fight and pray,” he said.