The leadership and members of the East Jamaica Conference extend congratulations to two Adventist members who received the Governor General’s Achievement Award on Thursday, June 29, 2023. His Excellency The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, presented awards to Denielle Smith and Abigail Marshall, both of St Thomas, during the annual ceremony at Kings House in St Andrew.
Miss Denielle Smith, a member of the Albion SDA Church was awarded in the 18-24 category. Smith was recognized for being an exceptional scholar and distinguished as a 2022 Rhodes Scholar finalist. She excelled at the secondary and tertiary levels, first achieving 10 distinctions at the Wolmers High School for Girls, ranking fourth regionally in Clothing and Textiles. She has served in various leadership roles including being the president of the 2022 graduating class of Northern Caribbean University. There she completed her studies in Business Administration (Accounting), graduating Magna Cum Laude. She has been active in her community, tutoring students for GSAT/PEP, CXC and university courses as well as serving in her church as a youth ministries leader.
Miss Denielle Smith :: Photo credit:
Smith attributes her achievements and success to a faithful God.
“It is but a reminder that I have a responsibility to steward all that God has blessed me with. My experiences, be they trials or triumphs, my time, my energy and efforts are all to the glory of God and for the betterment of those around me.”
“It is a reminder from God that He has placed me in rooms to make a difference, bring glory to His name and to open doors for others,” she concluded.
Mrs Abigail Marshall of the Morant Bay SDA Church was awarded in the over-35 category for being a distinguished community leader. Marshall who is a Justice of the Peace was recognized for her dedication, dynamic personality and advocacy in the parish of St Thomas. She has worked tirelessly to see the fruition of numerous impactful initiatives within the Cedar Valley community. At her church, she has organized and spearheaded projects and feeding programmes for those in need, including students. She serves as the EJC Youth Federation president of Zone 4 and has been actively involved in mentoring and inspiring the younger generation. She was also recognized for her advocacy for the improvement of community infrastructure resulting in improved roads, utilities and social services.
Mrs Abigail Marshall :: Photo credit:
“I’m feeling fulfilled knowing that all of my accomplishments, all of my tasks that I would have been carrying on in my community and my church, all of these activities would have been recognized, even though some of them were just little details, shared Marshall.
“It’s a remarkable moment because I know my living is not in vain, persons lives would have been touched by my actions,” she concluded.
Launched in 1991, The Governor-General’s Achievement Awards (GGAA) recognizes and celebrates exceptional Jamaicans, who are leading change within their communities and are excelling in areas of leadership and academics despite the challenges they may have faced.