18-y-o burn victim gets standing ovation at graduation

When Alecia King sang the chorus of Lila Ike's Where I Am Coming From, there were no dry eyes inside the Bread of Life Ministries in Linstead, St Catherine.

The 18 year-old burn victim, who cheated death by mere moments, was among the Dinthill Technical High School graduating class of 2024 on Thursday. Her soulful voice, that echoed throughout section of the St Catherine community, may forever be etched in the memories of those who were fortunate to hear. As she stood on the podium, King was greeted with explosive cheers and a standing ovation from her fellow graduates and members of the audience.

"I am very joyful and happy. I have been through so much but I am happy," she told THE WEEKEND STAR.

King was given a special place in this year's graduation as, last year when her batch was doing their walk to the podium, she was battling for her life at the Shriners Burn Center in Texas. The teenager was doused with gasoline and set ablaze as she slept at a relative's house in Redwood, St Catherine, last August. Her ex-boyfriend, Antwone Grey, who was listed by the police as a suspect, was arrested in February, a day after she returned home. King said that she will be travelling to the US once more for further treatment.

"After that, I hope that my hands will be more mobile, so I can start college and continue my education. I want to become a psychology doctor or nurse. My dream was always to become a soldier but, because of my situation now and what I have been through, I will not be able to join the force just yet. My inspiration to become a nurse came while I was hospitalised. I saw how important a nurse was in the children's life and I want to become one just for that," King said.

The teenager was moved to tears as she hugged her guardian Julian Mendez, who she credited as being 'the rock of Gibraltar'.

"I do call her Mommy. She is a queen in my life; she is my sunlight. I remember days when Mommy would be that strong soldier standing over me. She would not cry let me see and she would not do anything that would make me uncomfortable. She is a woman of power and she has made me so strong," she said.

Reflecting on her horrific and life-changing experience, King said she is encouraging others who are faced with similar challenges to keep pushing.

"Shine bright like a star and look up and focus on what you want. No matter the situation, there is always something bigger and better for you. In my situation, I am not able to have much fun as others, but I surround myself with people who love and care for me. That is what I have," she said.

Also present at the graduation ceremony were members of the Sanmerna Foundation. The organisation, headed by Robert White, was able to have King, who was barely clinging to life, flown to the US for treatment.

"It's an honour for us to be here to stand by her side and give her the support. We have weathered the storm with her and we want to ensure that she got her graduation certificate. We want her to live a normal life, regardless of the pain she is going through. The Sanmerna Foundation will not disappear, and we are going to ensure that we give her a scholarship to see her further her education, so she can see her dream come through to be that doctor or nurse," White said.