Anthony Allen, a 7-foot-1-inch junior college centre, Jamaican-born junior college centre signs with Oklahoma State

Friday, April 25, 2014 | 1:11 PM 

OKLAHOMA, United States (AP) — A 7-foot-1-inch junior college centre has signed to play basketball at Oklahoma State.

OSU head coach Travis Ford says Anthony Allen has signed with the Cowboys and has two years of eligibility remaining.

Allen comes to OSU from Lamar State College-Port Arthur in Texas where he averaged 11 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.2 blocked shots per game last season.

Allen chose OSU over Oklahoma and Memphis.

Allen is originally from Kingston, Jamaica and played high school basketball in Connecticut.

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Two Monkeys Do Same Work, But Watch What Happens When One Gets Better Pay. #PALAS #RulaBrownNetwork

Two Monkeys Do Same Work, But Watch What Happens When One Gets Better Pay. #PALAS #RulaBrownNetwork......Dr. Frans de Waal is a biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. Here’s a clip from Ted Talk where he shows what happens when two capuchin monkeys get paid differently for equal tasks.

We don’t like seeing monkeys in cages, but we thought this was really funny!

Vybz Kartel juror, Livingston Cain, a 50-year-old football coach of Stony Hill in St Andrew returns to court May 30.....Cain is accused of offering the jury foreman in the Kartel murder trial $500,000 for a not-guilty verdict.

 Friday, April 25, 2014    

THE juror who allegedly tried to bribe his fellow jurors in the Vybz Kartel murder trial in return for a not-guilty verdict, is scheduled to return to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on May 30.

Livingston Cain, the juror accused of attempting
to bribe fellow jurors in the Vybz Kartel murder trial,
leaves the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s
 Court with his lawyer Dian Watson, yesterday.
 (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

Livingston Cain, a 50-year-old football coach of Stony Hill in St Andrew, is charged with one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and five counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

When the matter came up for mention in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn asked that the Crown be given a further three weeks to try and facilitate a request from the lawyer of the accused, Dian Watson. She had requested that the Crown hand over the accused man's phone — from which evidence was allegedly collected — for it to be examined by an expert.

As a result the matter was rescheduled and Cain's bail was extended by Resident Magistrate Lorna Shelly Williams.

Cain is accused of offering the jury foreman in the Kartel murder trial $500,000 for a not-guilty verdict. It is also alleged that he told another juror that he would "take care of him" if he returned a not-guilty verdict, as well.

Cain was the only juror to vote not guilty in the conviction of Vybz Kartel (Adidja Palmer), Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones. A fifth man, Shane Williams, was acquitted.

IN JAMAICA:Medical Doctor Jephthah Ford on $1-million bail...to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Allegedly caught on camera trying to bribe a policeman, offering him 40 per cent of approximately $60 million that was seized from two Surinamese nationals.

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, April 25, 2014   

 MEDICAL doctor Jephthah Ford was yesterday offered bail in the sum of $1 million when he appeared in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate's Court to answer to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The court was told that the prominent doctor was allegedly caught on camera trying to bribe a policeman, offering him 40 per cent of approximately $60 million that was seized from two Surinamese nationals.

FORD… returns to court May 9

The doctor, the court heard, allegedly contacted the policeman a day before the foreigners were taken before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court and promised to give him the funds if he decided against taking the men to court and returned the money to them.

It was alleged that Dr Ford first offered the policeman 25 per cent of the money, but after he gave the policeman a chance to determine how much he wanted, settled at 40 per cent, when the cop reportedly suggested 50 per cent.

The money was seized from Gene Roshen Daniels and Reingoud Mackel Murvin on April 7 when police in Half-Way-Tree stopped and searched the vehicle in which they were travelling and two bags containing US$533,281 and J$1.3 million were allegedly found.

The men's hotel room was later searched and 55 Surinamese dollars, along with US$3,000, and J$700 reportedly found.

According to court documents, the men had received an anonymous telephone call to pick up the money at the hotel and to deliver it to someone they did not know. They were subsequently charged with possession of criminal property and conspiracy to possess criminal property. They were freed of the charges when they appeared in court on April 15. more

DEM TINGS YAH THE CHURCH PEOPLE DEM A DO DWL.... THIS IS A MUST WATCH

Post by Yaadhustletv.

IN JAMAICA: ‘Withdraw the tax’ Andrew Holness warns Gov’t, says Opposition will resist transaction tariff.....concerned that the tax would open the door to other "brazen and thoughtless tax impositions under the guise of passing some IMF test.

BY BALFORD HENRY Senior staff reporter balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, April 25, 2014    

Andrew Holness yesterday told the Government that its intention to introduce the new financial transactions tax was a point of departure between the Administration and the Opposition, and advised the prime minister to withdraw it.

Andrew Holness

"Prime Minister, withdraw the tax, or else," Holness told Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller across the aisle as he made his contribution to the 2014/15 budget debate at Gordon House.

Holness said that the Opposition was concerned that the tax would open the door to other "brazen and thoughtless tax impositions under the guise of passing some IMF test.

"It would be irresponsible of the Opposition to merely say we oppose the tax. We will resist the tax. This is now a point of departure," he said.

"Prime Minister, you claim to be looking out for the interest of the poor and vulnerable. In today's Jamaica, the poor and vulnerable use banks and ATMs. Remember, they have to cash their PATH cheques; they have to take their remittances from accounts they were encouraged to open," he insisted.

But, while the opposition leader was giving his warning inside the Parliament, there was speculation outside that the Government may be softening its position on imposing the controversial tax measure, which will affect consumers' withdrawals from deposit-taking institutions through electronic banking, point-of-sale transactions (debit/credit cards), cheques, Internet transfers and transactions involving ABMs/ATMs. more

IN JAMAICA: Extortion War: Cops Fortify Special Unit, Eye New Tactics To Cripple Criminals.

Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers

Published: Thursday | April 24, 2014

At least a dozen police personnel are being summoned to an anti-extortion unit within the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), which yesterday reported that the criminal practice is burgeoning in major towns.

The additional police personnel will bolster the output of the anti-extortion unit.

They will increase the unit's numbers from "in the teens" to a desired 25-30 members, offered Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers, OCID's head, yesterday.

"What we are doing is expanding the unit to better inform and advise the investigators about investigating methodology, the new means and ways through which persons are extorting individuals out there, and to empower them to build a more cogent case to take to court," Chambers told The Gleaner in an interview at the OCID headquarters in downtown Kingston.

"Part of the recruitment is moving persons from other units here at OCID to that unit, and we are also looking at good, capable, bright [outside] persons who can also join the unit," he said, explaining that new recruits would receive on-the-job training from senior investigators at the division.

The training, he said, would include case analyses, sensitisation of a new extortion investigation manual, best practices to observe when dealing with extortion, and practical street training..... more

IN JAMAICA: Brothers Voldon and Roshawn Ricketts, in 42-year-old businessman's Orell Henry murder remanded. The brothers are charged along with 20-year-old Tivon Wallace

Thursday, April 24, 2014 with Tanesha Mundle    

TWO brothers implicated in the murder of a businessman last December were on Tuesday remanded in custody when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Voldon and Roshawn Ricketts are both charged with murder and conspiracy to murder in relation to the stabbing death of 42-year-old businessman Orell Henry of Pleasant Valley in St Andrew.

The brothers are charged along with 20-year-old Tivon Wallace, who was reportedly involved in a relationship with the now deceased man. It is alleged that all three men conspired to rob and kill the businessman.

Henry, hours before his death, was reportedly last seen in the company of Wallace, who was a frequent visitor at the home. Wallace and another man were allegedly seen speeding away from the premises in Henry's Chevrolet Avalanche shortly before Henry's body was found.

Items belonging to Henry, including the Chevrolet Avalanche and a licensed firearm, were reportedly missing from his house. However, the truck was later found abandoned in Stony Hill, St Andrew.

It is alleged that on December 14, about 8:05 pm, Wallace used Henry's phone to call Henry's brother, who was also living at the premises and told him, "Mr Orell say yuh must not come home early 'cause we a go out." more

READY FOR JAIL IN TRINIDAD: Mom who beat 12-year-old daughter on Facebook will do anything to set her child right ...Girl says sorry for bringing shame to family

By Michelle Loubon

Story Created: Apr 23, 2014 at 11:43 PM ECT

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2014 at 5:49 AM ECT 

In the aftermath of the posting of a video on Facebook showing her beating her 12-year-old daughter, Point Fortin mother Helen Bartlett says she is “prepared to go to jail” to set her child on the right path. 
The mother of four yesterday said her daughter was her “problem child” who might be “acting out” because of neglect on her father’s part.
Bartlett made these statements during a radio interview with journalists Dale Enoch and Tony Lee on i95.5 FM yesterday morning. They shared data which revealed about 72 per cent of the respondents support her action, while 28 per cent did not agree with the mode of discipline. 
Bartlett’s elder daughter and the 12-year-old “problem child” have since posted a counter video in support of their mother. They both said she was a good mother who just wanted what was best for her childr­en.
Bartlett’s action has sparked debate over whether she was engaging in discipline or child abuse. 
Asked if she had any regrets, Bartlett said: “No. I don’t have any regrets on the discipline, but on the views of the wider nation.” 
On the question of support, Bart­lett said: “I am getting support. And I have support from my family and from her. The child is supporting me, too.” 
Asked what could have triggered such a severe beating, she said: “She has been my problem child. You know they say in every family, there is a problem child. I have been talking to her. I have tried nume­rous methods. I have even tried to get counselling.”
Amid the chorus of condemnation, Bartlett said she was yet to hear from the child’s father—a police­man. 
She said: “I am yet to hear where is the father? I am yet to get a phone call from him. The video has gone viral. She is crying out for her father. And I am yet to see him. The video went out on Sunday. And today is Wednesday. I am doing this on my own.”
Asked if there was any communication between the child and her father, Bartlett said: “He is blatantly telling her he does not want to have anything to do with her. She just has this attachment to her dad. I believe she started acting out after the separation. She was very close to him. After the separation, that is when the problem started.” 
Bartlett said “the danger... boys like sharks on foot... was even greater” since the girl started secon­dary school. more

Jamaica Reggae Girlz: House of Marley spearheads initiative to raise US$10,000 for Girlz.....Jamaica will compete in a series of matches June 18 to 22 in the Dominican Republic.

Thursday, April 24, 2014 Jamaica Observer   

HOUSE of Marley, maker of high-quality consumer electronics inspired by the life and music of Bob Marley, has initiated a programme to support the Jamaica Reggae Girlz' current fund-raising campaign which will be hosted on the crowd-funding site GoFundMe, it was announced on Friday.

Cedella Marley (seated at centre) with officials of the JFF
 and players of the senior Reggae Girlz at a function to
officially present the daughter of late reggae king Bob Marley
 as the global ambassador of Jamaica’s women’s
programme at the JFF offices recently.
 (OBSERVER FILE PHOTO)

When individual donors go to www.gofundme.com/jamaicawomensfootball and mention House of Marley in the comments section of their donation, the company will match the amount until a cap of US$5,000 (J$550,000) is reached.

Daughter of the late reggae king and newly appointed ambassador of Jamaica's women's football programme, Cedella Marley, said that giving back is a core element of House of Marley's mission.

"The House of Marley is a living brand. It's about equality, freedom and charity. It's about giving back and doing the right thing. Joining this campaign for our Jamaica Reggae Girlz shows they also have integrity and I thank them for the support," said the CEO of the Marley Group of Companies.

The Reggae Girlz are preparing to participate in the inaugural Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women's Caribbean Cup, which will begin with first-round qualifications in May and June. Jamaica will compete in a series of matches June 18 to 22 in the Dominican Republic.

The CFU tournament will serve as the official qualification for the Caribbean Zone for both the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. more

KINGSTON, Jamaica : 2014 Penn Relays programme-cover celebrates 50 years of JAMAICAN high schools competing

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 4:51 PM by Gavay Watt 

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The cover of the programme for the 2014 Penn Relays pays tribute to Jamaican High Schools as they celebrate 50 years of competing at the relay carnival now in its 120th staging.

(Photo: Facebook)

The programme cover has two photos showing the first Jamaican high school team, Kingston College, competing at the event in 1964, and last year’s photo finish in the high school boys’ 4 x 400m relay between Javon ‘Donkey Man’ Francis of Calabar and Delano Williams of Munro College. 

In an article on the University of Pennsylvania website, http://www.upenn.edu/ by Maria Zankey, director of the relays, Dave Johnson in speaking to the 50th anniversary of Jamaican high schools competing at the event states, “the inspiration came from Herb McKenley, a great Jamaican quarter-miler who ran at the Relays in ‘46 and ‘47, and later went back to [Kingston, Jamaica] to coach at Calabar High School. He was able to convince the Jamaican high school authorities to send a team to [the Relays.] The team came here that year and won the 440-yard relay.”

This year’s event runs from Thursday, April 24, to Saturday, April 26 and has more than 18,000 competitors from more than 60 countries participating in 425 events. more

Film on Bob’s rise to fame in the works.... about the international rise of reggae legend Bob Marley and his Wailers band is reportedly in the works....Titled Buffalo Soldiers (the name of one of Marley's songs) it will be distributed by Mandalay Pictures

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 3:21 PM  

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A film about the international rise of reggae legend Bob Marley and his Wailers band is reportedly in the works, according to the website, indiewire.com.

Titled Buffalo Soldiers (the name of one of Marley's songs) it will be distributed by Mandalay Pictures, with writer Barry Morrow (Rain Man) and producer Cathy Schulman (Crash) reportedly assigned to the project.

According to indiewire.com, the film traces Marley and the Wailers' emergence from the rugged Kingston community of Trench Town in the 1960s, to super-stardom a decade later.

There are no production details (budget, cast) on the project, or if it has been endorsed by the Marley family who have long touted a film about its patriarch who died in May 1981 from cancer at age 36.

At one stage, A-list Hollywood director Martin Scorsese was rumoured to be in the running to oversee the biopic but that fell through.

Two years ago, Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) released his acclaimed documentary Marley, which revived speculation that a film on the singer/songwriter was not far off.???

17-year-old Long Island student, Kwasi Enin accepted in ALL 8 Ivy League Schools he applied to.....Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania...He scored 2,250 out of 2,400 on the SAT.

SHIRLEY, N.Y. (AP) — A 17-year-old Long Island student has applied to and was accepted at all eight Ivy League schools.
by Associated Press | April 23, 2014 at 8:36 AM
Kwasi Enin of Shirley began hearing from the schools on March 27.

Kwasi Enin (Photo: William Floyd School District)

The William Floyd High School senior tells Newsday that he couldn’t believe it when “the yesses kept coming.” Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania all said yes. Kwasi says he thought, “this can’t be happening.”

He scored 2,250 out of 2,400 on the SAT. That places him in the 99th percentile for all students taking the exam. He has surpassed the accomplishments of some of his uncles and cousins who were accepted to several Ivies. Kwasi hasn’t decided which college he’ll attend. He’s waiting to see what kind of financial aid he is offered.

North Carolina teen accepted into 7 Ivy League schools : Princeton University, Yale University, Columbia University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania.....With acceptance rates as low as six percent, just getting into one Ivy League is a huge accomplishment. (VIDEO)

by Janae Frazier, WECT | April 23, 2014 at 12:30 PM

WILMINGTON, North Carolina - Thousands of students apply to Ivy League schools, but very few are accepted. Wilmington native Patrick Peoples has the distinct honor of getting into seven of them.

Peoples is a senior at the Lyceum Academy of New Hanover High School and said he is thrilled to have been accepted to Princeton University, Yale University, Columbia University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania.

“No one ever expects to get in,” Peoples admitted. With acceptance rates as low as six percent, just getting into one Ivy League is a huge accomplishment.

“I just wanted to apply,” Peoples explained. “Maybe I’ll get into one, maybe just maybe.” Patrick’s AP English teacher Catherine Edmonds says Peoples has earned his spot. “He’s personable, he’s responsible, he has a complete and utter interest of what happens in the world, and he’s bound to make changes,” Edmonds said. more

Click here to read the rest of this story on WECT.

Lupita Nyong'o Is People Magazine's Most Beautiful Person 2014 , besting other gorgeous ladies like Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts and Julianna Margulies.....The breakout star of "12 Years a Slave," this year's Best Picture, won an Oscar herself for Best Supporting Actress.

The Huffington Post  | by  Liat Kornowski April 23, 2014

It's official: Lupita Nyong'o is People magazine's Most Beautiful Person for 2014, besting other gorgeous ladies like Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts and Julianna Margulies.

The annual Most Beautiful cover was unveiled on the Today show Wednesday, April 23:This should come as no surprise to the magazine's readers (and to the world, really), and it's not only because Nyong'o is breathtakingly beautiful. The breakout star of "12 Years a Slave," this year's Best Picture, won an Oscar herself for Best Supporting Actress. She soon after inked a contract with Lancome Paris and constantly lands on "best dressed" lists with every red carpet appearance.

But it's the Kenyan Mexican actress' reaction to the new honor that captures her the most. "It was exciting and just a major, major compliment," Nyong'o told People after learning she's gracing this year's cover. "I was happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen."

The humble yet powerful sentiment seems to be a constant when it comes to the 31-year-old, whose speeches have become as much an inspiration as they are a gracious thanks. At the Academy Awards, she wrapped her speech up with the memorable, "I look down at this golden statue, and may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you're from, your dreams are valid."

Upon winning the Best Breakthrough Performance Award at the Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in February, Nyong'o moved the audience by saying:

"I want to take this opportunity to talk about beauty. Black beauty. Dark beauty. I received a letter from a girl and I’d like to share just a small part of it with you: 'Dear Lupita,' it reads, 'I think you’re really lucky to be this Black but yet this successful in Hollywood overnight. I was just about to buy Dencia's Whitenicious cream to lighten my skin when you appeared on the world map and saved me.'" more

CUT THE FAT: Audley Shaw says JAMAICAN Gov't Should downsize instead of imposing ABM tax..... “Jamaica just cannot take any more devaluation at this time... We need to build consensus around many things. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

CUT THE FAT

Jamaica Observer Excerpt Wednesday, April 23, 2014    

OPPOSITION spokesman on finance and planning, Audley Shaw, yesterday presented what he described as the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) ‘prescription for growth’, as he responded to last week's opening budget debate presentation from Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips.

 The “prescription” prioritised stabilisation of the exchange rate, which Shaw said needed careful management to stop the present slide of the dollar, as well as a proposal to increase the loan ceiling for National Housing Trust (NHT) borrowers.

 “Jamaica just cannot take any more devaluation at this time... We need to build consensus around many things.

 One of these is the need to settle down to a stable exchange regime, while we work on the other structural impediments that sap investor confidence and retard growth,” Shaw told the House of Representatives as he presented the Opposition's response to the Government’s controversial 2014/15 budget measures.

Regarding the NHT's lending ceiling, Shaw said that the ceiling on the amount of funds loaned to a contributor should move from $4.5 million to $6 million, which would make $12 million available in a joint ownership arrangement.

 “This would give NHT contributors greater access to a wider choice of homes,” Shaw said.

He also proposed that Government: • Ramp up education and training at all levels; • Remake JAMPRO into a well-oiled investment and trade-facilitation machine; • Fast-track new and cheaper sources of energy for the economy; • Engineer and incentivise greater access to low-cost credit; • Recapitalise and expand the EXIM Bank of Jamaica; • Reduce transfer and stamp duty by one per cent each; and • Fast-track the divestment of the Kingston Container Terminal. more

Two APS employees accused of abusing children at school

ATLANTA -- From a heavy handed slap that knocks the special needs student out of his seat, to a series of hits on the head for another child on the floor. In just four days Ms. "J" says she recorded more abuse than she could bear.

"I haven't been the same. I haven't been able to return to work," said the teacher.

Ms. "J" asked not to be identified, but her video is revealing. She says she installed a hidden camera in her classroom at Harper Archer Middle School after the principal and district refused to investigate her concerns regarding how two employees were treating the children in their care.

Alger Coleman, the behavior specialist, and Keisha Smith, a para pro. She says they were lazy, watching TV and listening to music instead of helping the children and that as the year went on they became more physically and verbally abusive. But when she would talk with the principal about her concerns, no one believed her. "J" says she tried three times, even reaching out to someone on the district level for help.

"They would blatantly turn it around and lie and say no we don't know what she's talking about," said "J."

It was a he-said, she-said situation since the children are non-verbal. They can't speak or write to tell anyone what's happening to them. But its hard to argue with the video. In it, attorney Terance Madden says you can see Coleman hit one of the students, then put him in a wrestling choke hold. more

IN JAMAICA: Seven-year-old Dajane Bennett & 19- year-old Raheem Terrelonge,Teen drowns while trying to save child at Hellshire Beach on Easter Monday.

 Wednesday, April 23, 2014    

GLORIA Terrelonge could not conceal her grief yesterday as divers searched the Hellshire Beach in St Catherine for the body of her 19- year-old son, Raheem Terrelonge, who reportedly drowned while attempting to save a child who had got into difficulties at the crowded beach Easter Monday.

“It has been more than 24 hours and I am yet to find the body,” said the obviously distraught mother yesterday, as she awaited word from the police.

"I don't know what to say; the police came and they searched and we are waiting on Marine authorities to return to the area,” said the mother, as she fought hard to hold back the tears.

“He wanted to become a soldier,” said Terrelonge, a mother of five. Police said Raheem, of Lawrence Tavern in St Andrew, was one of two persons who drowned on Easter Monday.

The other victim was identified as seven-year-old Dajane Bennett, of Mona Commons, Papine.

The police reported that about 12:05 pm Monday, Dajane was at the Penfield River in the parish when she allegedly stepped into a deep section of the river, got into difficulties and drowned.

An alarm was raised and the Gordon Town Police were summoned. The child’s body was later fished from the water. Raheem’s body was still not found up to late last evening. more

Oakland 17-year-old Akintunde Ahmad, teen’s 5.0 GPA, 2100 SAT score lands him acceptance from multiple Ivy Leagues.....Yale, Brown, Columbia, Northwestern, the University of Southern California, UCLA and Howard, among others.

17-year-old Akintunde Ahmad. (Photo courtesy of YouTube/ABC) 

by Lilly Workneh

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When most people see 17-year-old Akintunde Ahmad, they find it hard to believe he has earned a 5.0 GPA, a 2100 SAT score and acceptance into almost every Ivy League school in the nation.

This is because Ahmad, who describes himself as a “street dude,” admits that he is often judged by his 6-foot-1 frame and waist-long dreads. In fact, the Oakland teen has been underestimated by his peers to the point where only cellphone images of his grades and test scores provide the most viable proof.

According to ABC, Ahmad — who attends Oakland Tech High in northern California — has been accepted into a number of prestigious schools including Yale, Brown, Columbia, Northwestern, the University of Southern California, UCLA and Howard, among others.

Aside from his exceptional academic record, Ahmad also plays three instruments and is a star athlete on his school’s baseball team. So much so, that he has even been approached by Yale about joining the university’s team.

“Every school he applied to is already Division 1, so he wasn’t taking a step down as far as baseball is concerned,” baseball coach Bryan Bassette told ABC.

Growing up in Oakland also exposed Ahmad to a street crime and cases of gun violence. One particular and unfortunate event involved his brother, Azeem, who invited him to a party one night that resulted in five people shot — one of them his brother. Ahmad declined to attend and instead, chose to stay home to work on an essay.

“There’s plenty of people I know who have been killed,” Ahmad told SFGate.com. “I could write a list starting in elementary school of all the people we grew up with who have been killed. I could have easily been caught up in that life. You don’t have to be a bad person to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Through it all, Ahmad’s hard work has served him well and his parents admire the humble attitude he continues to exemplify.

For now, Ahmad has narrowed down his choices to two schools and two fields of study. However, he remains undecided on whether he will attend Yale or Brown and whether he will pursue pre-med or pre-law. Regardless, it’s clear this young man has a very promising future ahead of him. more

15-year-old Saheela Ibraheem goes to Harvard after being accepted to 13 colleges...including six of the eight Ivy League schools

Saheela Ibraheem

15-year-old Saheela Ibraheem goes to Harvard after being accepted to 13 colleges...including six of the eight Ivy League schools.From NJ.com:PISCATAWAY, NJ — Saheela Ibraheem wasn’t sure any college would want to admit a 15-year-old. So the Piscataway teen hedged her bets and filled out applications to 14 schools from New Jersey to California.“It’s the age thing.

 I wanted to make sure I had options,” said Saheela, a senior at the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison.In the end, 13 colleges accepted her — including six of the eight Ivy League schools. After weeks of debate, Saheela settled on Harvard. She will be among the youngest members of the school’s freshman class.

DC triplets, who all have 3.7 GPA can take their pick of Ivy League schools......Malik, Ahmad and Khalil Jones are triplets who attend Georgetown Day School in Washington D.C., and they have each earned major achievements in both academics and athletics.

Malik, Ahmad & Khalil Jones

by Lilly Workneh | April 22, 2014

Sibling rivalry usually comes with bickering and taunts — but in one household, it has turned into a friendly competition that has resulted in a stellar outcome.

Malik, Ahmad and Khalil Jones are triplets who attend Georgetown Day School in Washington D.C., and they have each earned major achievements in both academics and athletics.

The brothers, who all have a 3.7 GPA, have earned acceptance into some of the nation’s most prestigious schools and only have a few weeks to make their final decision.

The impressive trio credits their success to the discipline and work ethic instilled in them from their parents and the tough competition they have among each other.

“You can’t let the other person be better than you, because you don’t want to be the worst one right?” Khalil jokingly told NBC Washington. “So, it’s kind of like we’re always pushing each other.”

Their strong bond has encouraged the three young men to work hard and in turn, they have collectively accomplished great feats. Now, they have narrowed down their school choices but remain undecided between two Ivy League institutions: Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Either way, the Jones’ brothers are definitely on a road to much success.

Malik said, “If one of them can accomplish something, then without a doubt, I can definitely do it, too.”

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Record haul! Jamaica garner 88 medals at 43rd Carifta Games in Martinique for the 30th consecutive year and their 37th overall since the first staging in 1972.

Howard Walker, Paul Reid  Tuesday, April 22, 2014 Jamaica Observer

Jamaica unofficially racked up a record haul of 88 medals to top the 43rd staging of the Carifta Games at Stade Municipal Pierre Aliker in Martinique for the 30th consecutive year and their 37th overall since the first staging in 1972.

Jamaica’s Jauvaney James (#344) on his
way to winning the boys’ Under-18 1,500m
gold medal.

On Thursday before departing for the French territory, Neil Harrison, the head coach of the 84-member Jamaican team, the largest delegation to ever take part in the games, told the Jamaica Observer that expectations were high for yet another outstanding Carifta Games, and he was right.

The Jamaicans totally dominated the 26 other nations at the Games and garnered 88 medals, comprised of 42 gold, 34 silver and 12 bronze to break their 10-year-old record haul of 84 medals established in Hamilton, Bermuda, in 2004.

Jamaica started the day with 51 medals — of 25 gold, 19 silver and seven bronze — and collected another 37 as they dominated not only in the sprints, but the middle and long distances, hurdles and field events.

Jamaica’s Under-20 4X100m relay gold
 medallists (from left) Jonielle Smith,
Saqukine Cameron, Kadisha Dallas and
 Chanice Bonner pose after their
victory on Sunday.

Janeek Brown and Sidney Marshall got things going for Jamaica by capturing gold and silver in the Under-18 girls' 100m hurdles in 13.48 and 13.62 seconds, respectively, with Trinidadian Jeminise Parris third in 13.79 seconds.

The outstanding Jaheel Hyde won his second individual gold of the championships, running a personal best 13.10 seconds to destroy the field in the Under-18 boys' 110m hurdles final.

The IAAF World Youth Championships gold medallist led from the start and dragged teammate Roje Chin Jackson into second place in 13.46 seconds, with Barbados' Michael Nicholson winning the bronze in 13.79 seconds. more

ABIGAIL RILEYof XLCR High, 16 y-o Peace and Love Academic Scholarship (PALAS) recipient to represent JAMAICA in its first U-19 international floor hockey tournament in POLAND

Abigail Riley, PALAS recipient

April 22, 2014- PALAS student news 
(Kingston, Jamaica)

Sixteen year old Abigail Riley of Excelsior High School has been selected to represent Jamaica in a floor hockey tournament in Poland.

Abigail's trip to Poland to represent Jamaica in it's first U-19 international tournament. Jamaica is new to this derivative of floor hockey and her involvement and role on the team is key. She is the goalkeeper and has learnt very quickly says the coach. 

They are scheduled to leave Jamaica on Thursday, 24th of April to Poland for 10 days. 

Floor Hockey

Abigail is a standout student in the PALAS program, she has excellent grades in school. She plays football and is also a track athlete at Excelsior High School. The PALAS board wishes Abigail and the team the very best on their trip to Poland.

IN JAMAICA (A GOOD STORY): 21 y-o Seidg Rowe, a young volunteer on path to success despite setback....now a nursing student, she was recently selected for the Prime Minister's Youth Awardee for Excellence in Youth Service.

by JIS Tuesday, April 22, 2014 

SEIDG Rowe, a 21-year-old single mother and final year nursing student at the International University of the Caribbean (IUC), has for the past 10 years devoted herself to serving others.

SEIDG Rowe

It was, therefore, no surprise that she was recently selected for the Prime Minister's Youth Awardee for Excellence in Youth Service.

"I'm in love with volunteering... I don't see the change overnight but I know there are youths that look up to me so it's a motivation to continue," says Rowe, in an interview with JIS News.

Her years of service include coordinating health fairs for her childhood community of Rae Town; visiting and assisting the elderly at Golden Age homes; working with the Kingston Eastern Police Youth Club; and serving as assistant co-chair for the Caribbean District Committee of Service. She is also actively involved in her local church.

Rowe fondly recalls growing up in the inner-city as a time filled with fun and laughter. Life seemed to be going according to plan until she was 16-years-old and heard the words that no teen wants to hear, "you are pregnant".

She said: "I went to the doctor for just a general medical check-up and then to find out I was pregnant... I was like three months and two weeks along. It was kind of scary."

She was in shock and denial. Confused and with no help from the child's father, Rowe said she was even more determined to shine through the clouds of despair and self pity that seemed to be closing in on her.

Unable to continue attending high school, Rowe, with the support of her parents, enrolled in the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation which has a programme for adolescent mothers. The programme assists pregnant girls, 17 and under, to continue their secondary education. 

  

Looking back, she said the experience changed her outlook. "Before I got pregnant, I was like, 'things are going on for me so I don't need to pay much attention to school work'. I didn't like to study but I said a child is involved now, I have to get my subjects... I have to get focused now. I think that she (her child) motivates me to do more," Rowe said.

Her mother, Paulette Williams, a patient care assistant at the Kingston Public Hospital ( KPH ), says when she found out that Rowe was pregnant she was more than upset, especially since she had already paid for her to sit the CSEC Examinations. However, she still decided to give her a second chance.

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