Spence happy in giving back

Over the years, former athletes from the ISSA Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships have returned to contribute significantly to their schools' athletics programmes, whether through coaching or financial support.

One such athlete is former St Jago High School sprinter Davaon Spence, who attended the school between 1997 and 2001. In his first year in Class One, Spence placed second in the 100 metres and third in the 200 metres. Alongside teammates like Marvin Anderson and Derron Herah, he helped secure double victories in the Class One 4x100m and the 4x400m Open relays.

A graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Spence was also a member of Jamaica's gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team at the inaugural World Youth Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in 1999.

In recent years, Spence has actively worked to help St Jago regain its competitive edge, which had waned since his departure. His contributions include donating a gymnasium to the school in 2012 and funding upgrades to the playing field in 2022 to ensure it is well grassed.

THE WEEKEND STAR caught up with Spence at the recent Wesley Powell Benjamin Track and Field Meet at Excelsior High School, where he shared his thoughts on giving back to his alma mater and other schools.

"You know, it is a pleasure to come back and help. While I was there, many people gave back for me to benefit at the time, so it is only right for me to contribute to St Jago," said Spence.

His generosity, however, extends beyond his alma mater.

"I am not only helping St Jago but other high schools as well with small gestures. It's just about giving back to the kids of Jamaica," he added.

"I feel that all of us who benefited while at high school should give back, even one per cent, as this will definitely go a far way."

- R.G.