Roshé using her opportunities well

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:Fifteen-year-old Roshé McKenzie is a natural leader. Recently, she got an opportunity to demonstrate just that when she travelled to the United States (US) to participate in the youth ambassadors' programme, an initiative of the US Embassy in Jamaica.

The Green Pond High School student was among a group of youth ambassadors from Jamaica and the wider Caribbean who visited the Colorado-based Bold Leaders Organization, an entity designed to help develop young leaders.

"There's nothing to describe the feeling of being selected to represent your school and your country," said Roshé as she reflected on her trip to the US. "It was a great opportunity for me to be able to do both while learning a lot about leadership."

Irwin High, Spot Valley High, Cambridge High, and St James High were among the other schools which represented Jamaica in Colorado. Other Caribbean countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, The Bahamas, and Grenada also had youth ambassadors in the Bold Leaders programme.

The three-week programme, which featured several workshops focused on leadership skills, proved beneficial to Roshé as it helped to enhance her development.

"My father has not played any significant role in my life," Roshé shared. "It bothered me for a while, but being a part of the Bold Leaders programme really helped me to learn a lot about myself and how I could transform that situation into something meaningful."

STRONG SUPPORT FROM MOM

"My mother has rallied behind me and supports my goals … . She is truly amazing, and I think I am blessed to have her as a part of my life," added Roshé.

In addition to being a youth ambassador, the grade-10 student, who is the president of her school's public speaking and drama club, is also a junior councillor at the St James Parish Council.

"Balancing school and being in the States was very difficult because I had to travel with all my textbooks to keep abreast of my schoolwork during the three-week period," the young student leader said. "However, the support from my teachers really helped in ensuring that I stayed on track with my academics."

In seeking to explain the rationale behind the decision to select her to represent her school in the youth ambassadors programme, Roshé said it was an indication that if you applied yourself and pursued excellence, the doors of opportunity would open.