Learning THEIR stories is to influence their future. (click on each student for a brief bio.)
Get to know our scholars...
Aaliyah Nelson
Adelaide Bent
Bevin Davey
Celeecia McLeary
Dawnalee Whitely
Devar Wood
Gabrielle Henry
Jamal Stephenson
Janae Haywood
Joshua Lewin
Kamari Kennedy
Khaleel Carroll
Lauren Thomson
Michael Keiyh Fletcher
Odean Lindo
Peter-Gaye Gray
Rodian Brooks
Sashane Cox
Tasheka Young
Waivany Walker
Take a look at our 2025 - 2026 Pocket Rocket Scholars:
The Pocket Rocket Foundation Academic Scholarship is designed to help young athletes succeed in their academics and athletic pursuits. We offer annual scholarships to high school students who represent their school in any sporting discipline. These funds may be used to cover any academic expenses related to tuition, books, travel and lunch. Former recipients have continued to excel at the tertiary level with continued academic and sporting excellence.
2025-2026 Pocket Rocket Scholars
Minimizing economic hardship so students can focus on school
Aliyah Nelson | WOLMERS TRUST hIGH SCHOOL FOR Girls | Sport- Lacrosse
My name is Aaliyah Nelson. I am 17 years old and was born on June 5, 2008. My main sporting discipline is lacrosse, a sport I recently started playing, but have grown very passionate about. I have already competed with my team against other schools, and we proudly placed second, we are now aiming for first place this school year. I graduated with 10 CSEC subjects and is a dedicated student who enjoys both academic and athletic challenges. In my free time I love to read books. My future goal is to become an electrical engineer.
Adelaide Bent | Denbigh High| Sport- Hockey
I am thirteen years old. I was born on February 4, 2012. My main sporting discipline is Field Hockey. I was selected to be a member of the High Flyers Club at Denbigh High School. I am currently a member of the school's Field Hockey Team which placed third in the 2025 ISSA U16 championship. I enjoy playing hockey, making craft items, painting and crochet. In the future I want to become a veterinarian and a lawyer.
Bevin Davey | Jamaica College | Sport- Track & Field
My name is Bevin Davey. I am fifteen years of age and was born on August 5, 2010. I'm a middle distance athlete, who competes in the 800m and 1500m. I was third in the class 3 1500m last year and have made the honor roll several times since I've been at Jamaica College. I would like to become an accountant. I enjoy playing the piano, bass and occasionally drums.
Celeecia McLeary | St. Jago High| Sport- Netball, Track & Field
I am Competitive, Confident and Creative Celeecia Alafia Amanda McCleary, born on the 19th of October 2010 and 14 years of age. My main sporting discipline is Netball and Track and Field, specializing in the Discus and Shot Put. Notably, I have always been on the honour roll and was also placed tenth (10th) in the Math Olympiad Competition in Second (2nd) Form (Grade 8). Outside of academic achievements, my hobbies include listening to music, singing, and dancing. Career-wise, I aspire to become an entrepreneur, regardless of whether it be law or business.
Dawnalee Whitely| Black River High| Sport- Football
I'm 15 years old. I was born on September 22,2009. My main sporting discipline is football. I was a Splash awardee, (Splash is an annual celebration that reflects on students' high academic performance). At the end of my football season, I was given the title MVP (Most Valuable Player). My hobbies are: Playing football, netball, reading, and watching movies. My short-term career goal is to finish High school with all my 8 subjects with 1's and 2's. My long-term career goal is to become a Fire fighter or a Counseling Psychologist.
I am a 3rd form student at Wolmers Boys’ School, and I am 14 years old, born on May 9th, 2011. My main sporting disciplines are hockey and pickleball. I have achieved two Upper Tier Blue Reports in 1st form, reflecting my dedication and performance.
In addition, I have participated in multiple hockey tournaments, including the Danny James Invitational Hockey Tournament and the 1-Day Legacy Cup, performing well in both. I also competed in the Wolmers Pickleball Tournament during the Summer Term of 2025, where I achieved 4th place out of 8 teams. I am committed to continuing my progress through consistent training and mentorship.
My hobbies include learning new techniques to improve my performance in sports. My career goals are to become an aeronautical engineer and a military pilot, with the ultimate aim of becoming an Aircraft Commander.
DEVAR WOOD | WOLMERS TRUST hIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS | Sport- HOCKEY
I am 14 years of age. I was born on the 4th of January 2011. My main sporting discipline is Track and Field, the events I specialize in are the 100m , 200m and 4×100m relay. I have received medals at the Miami International Meet one silver medal and the other bronze both in the 4×100m relay. My class 3 relay team qualified for the 4×100m relay at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championship. I have been the top student for my grade since my arrival at the school of Ferncourt High in 2023, I am in the principal's distinction club and I have received numerous certificates, medals,badges and trophies for my performance in all subject areas. Some of my hobbies are running, dancing, listening to music, reading entertaining books, watching movies and singing. My career goals are Sports Physiotherapist/Olympian.
Gabrielle henry | ferncourt high | Sport- Track and Field (100m/ 200m / 400m)
I am 18 years old, born on February 5, 2007. My main sporting discipline is track and field, specializing in the 100m sprint with a personal best of 10.2 seconds. Notably, I represented my country at the CARIFTA Games in 2025, marking my first national-level competition. Beyond athletics, my hobbies include gaming, shopping. My career goal is to pursue higher education while excelling in track and field at the collegiate and professional levels.
jamal stephenson | CALABAR HIGH | Sport- Track and Field
Good day, my name is Janae Haywood, a student at the Glenmuir High-school. I am currently 16 years old and I was born on May 29,2009. At the Glenmuir High-school ,I am a 3 year awardee of the principal Honor Roll which is gaining an average over 85% while playing netball from first form.Current I have an average of 80% but below 85%. In the future I aspire to be a pharmaceutical Research Scientist .In my spare time I enjoy listening to music, admiring nature, playing with my cats and volunteering.
JANAE Haywood| glenmuir high | Sport- netBALL
My name is Joshuah Lewin and I am 14 years old. I was born on October 12, 2010. I am a student-athlete at Kingston College. The events that I run are; 400m,100m.At school I have achieved many academic achievements but the main one I’ve gotten is Helen Douglas Award (80+) grade average. I’ve also gotten athletic awards placing third at champs for the 4x100(class 3) at Champs. In my free time I do hobbies such as swimming,studying,and training.The career goals that I have in mind are to retire my mom and dad by becoming a successful and high standard doctor.
Joshua Lewin | Kingston College | Sport- Track and Field
I am 16 years old, born on January 2, 2009, and my main sporting discipline is discus. I have set notable championship records, including the Champs and Carifta records, and I am also a recipient of the Austin Sealy Award. In my free time, I enjoy reading in my spare time, and my career goal is to become a professional athlete and marine engineer.
Kamari kennedy | calabar high | Sport- Track and field
My name is Khaleel Carroll, and I am 17 years old, born on July 25, 2008. I am a discus and shot put athlete representing Calabar High School. This year, I competed in the shot put event at Champs, where I placed 6th with a throw of 15.31m. I also received five grade 1s and 3 grade 2s in my CSEC examinations between last and this academic year. My academic and athletic goals for the future are to achieve excellent results in my CAPE examinations and to perform well throughout the remainder of my time in Class 1, in order to successfully matriculate into a university program where I plan to study software programming.
Khaleel Carroll | CALABAR high | Sport- Track and Field
I am 18 years of age and was born April 30, 2007. My sporting discipline is volleyball. Notable academic/athletic achievements: Achieving all grade ones in my CSEC examinations and 3 grade ones and one grade 2 in my cape examinations.
Career goals: Chartered accountant
Hobbies: watching anime
Lauren Thomson| The Wolmer’s Trust High School For Girls | Sport- volleyball
Michael Keith Fletcher - 3rd Form/ York Castle
14 years old
06/06/2011
Sporting discipline: Table Tennis
Hobbies: Lawn Tennis and video games
Career: Business oriented
Achievements:
Member of York Castle Table Tennis Team 2025 JTA Credit Union/ISSA U16 Male All-Island Runner-up Team
Captain of the York Castle Table Tennis U16 Male 2025 JTA Credit Union/ ISSA Rural Champion Team
2024 Portmore Missionary Prep Table Tennis open championship 2nd placed U13 winner
2024 Wolmer's Table Tennis Open Championship u13 3rd placed winner
Member of the 3rd placed ISSA Table Tennis Rural U16 male Champions
2022 St. Ann Parish Gleaner Spelling Bee Champion and top boy
2023 6th placed Gleaner All-Island Spelling Bee Champion.
Vista Prep Spelling Bee Champion 2023
Finalist in Beber math competition
Member of the York Castle 8K math team which placed 3rd
Vista Prep Deputy head boy
Vista Prep Director's 2023 Award for All Rounder
2023 Vista Prep Champion Boy
2018 Vista Prep Lower School Spelling Bee Champion
Michael fletcher | The Wolmer’s Trust High School For Girls | Sport- table tennis
My name is Odean Lindo. I am 14 years old. My date of birth is October 15, 2010. My sporting discipline is cricket. I play cricket for my school, Munro College. I was twice selected for the St. Elizabeth Under 15 Team, 2024 and 2025. Also in 2025, I made it on the Cornwall County Under 15 Team. In terms of academic achievement, I received a silver award for academic excellence for the academic year 2022-2023 and a bronze award for academic achievement for the academic year 2023-2024. I have also served as form captain in my first and third years. My hobbies include playing cricket, reading and singing. My career goals are to become an automotive engineer and cricketer by God's grace.
odean lindo | MUNRO COLLEGE | Sport- CRICKET
I am 16 years old, born on October 5, 2008. My primary sporting discipline is netball, in which I was honoured with an award for outstanding performance in 2025. Academically, I demonstrated strong results in the 2025 CSEC examinations, obtaining six Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, of which five subjects had straight A profiles. Outside of my academic and athletic pursuits, I engage in reading and dancing. I aspire to become a neurologist.
Peter-Gaye Gray | CONVENT OF MERCY ALPHA| Sport- NETBALL
My name is Rodian Brooks, I am 14 years of age, and was born on August 4th, 2011. My main sporting discipline is Tennis, though I also play Libero in Volleyball. I have received notable academic achievements such as: Class Prefect (Beadle), Second place in my form, and Top girl in Spanish. In addition, notable athletic achievements I have received are: ranking second in the tennis match for my School House, and making the U15 team at 13 years old in volleyball. Some hobbies I have are singing, swimming, and dancing. I have hopes of becoming a Lawyer since I am a very outspoken person, hence I have done many speeches because of this, even representing my parish, St. Catherine.
Rodian Brooks| Campion College | Sport- Tennis
I am 14 years old, born on the 4th of December. I am a passionate volleyball player with plans to take up netball in the coming years. For the past eight, going on nine years, I have consistently ranked 1st or 2nd in my class, reflecting my commitment to academic excellence throughout my primary and secondary education. Athletically, my volleyball team proudly claimed 1st place in the Western Region of the ISSA National U19 Volleyball Championship in 2025. I enjoy exploring, watching movies, and continuously learning new things. My career ambition is to work in finance for a government organization, grow into a successful entrepreneur, and inspire others as a part-time Mathematics educator, volleyball and netball coach, and motivational speaker.
Tasheka Young | Mannings School | Sport- Volleyball
My name is Waivany Walker and I am 13 years old and I was born on February 06, 2012. My main sporting event is the 400m race, however I have participated in the 200m race as well during primary level and first year of High School. At my Naggo head Primary School Graduation I was awarded by Mr. Alando Terrelonge with Trophies for having set records at the Central Insports Championships in the 200m, the 400m and the 4*200m relay along with academic outstanding award in Social Studies and Science in PEP 2024 grade 6 result. My hobbies include dancing, listening to music and running. My career aspiration is to become a Marine Biologist.
Waivany Walker| Immaculate Conception High| Sport- Track and Field
"I promise to be and become extraordinary...
Because a promise to myself is a promise for the future."
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59 girls. 54 boys.
SPORTING ARENAS
High schools islandwide
○Maintain regular attendance at school
○Satisfactory student conduct
○Play an active role in school
○Maintain a minimum of 60% average in 5 subjects
○Represent the school in at least one (1) sporting activity
○Most recent student ID
○Most recent school report/ certificates
(Failure to submit will result in an incomplete application.)
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD ELIGIBILITY
The Scholarship is available to Jamaican students only. This scholarship is not open to members of the board of the Foundation or their immediate family members.
Application for Scholarships must be submitted by August 5th
Students must:
Additional Required Documentation:
2021-2022
York Shane (St. Jago)
Jasauna Dennis (St. Elizabeth Technical)
Jahiem Wedderburn (Kingston College)
Habiba Harris (St. Elizabeth Technical)
Oshane Blackwood (St. Elizabeth Technical)
Solesha Young (Convent of Mercy)
Samantha Morrison (St. Andrew High School)
Adrian Nethersole (St. Elizabeth Technical)
2025-2026
Dawnalee Whitely
Kamari Kennedy
Khaleel Carroll
Rodian Brooks
Sashane Cox
Peter-Gaye Gray
Adelaide Bent
Joshuah Lewin
Gabrielle Henry
Janae Haywood
Waivany Walker
Bevin Davey
Aaliyah Nelson
Devar Wood
Michael Fletcher
Odean Lindo
Tasheka Young
Celeecia McCLeary
Jamal Stephenson
Lauren Thomson
Past recipients
Combining academics and athletics was not easy but Russell said she could not afford to relax or take any short cuts on her way to her goals. While she said her parents never pressured her into their favorite sport, she said they showed how the sport could open up doors for her. Since starting Rice University in 2016, Russell has been on the President’s Honour Roll (Top 10 per cent GPA) — five out of seven semesters, and the Conference USA-Commissioner’s Academic Medal for three years — 2016, 2017, and 2018..
SUCCESS STORIES
November 6, 2020
Triple Threat: Zinedine Russell dominates as an athlete, engineer, and student
Former Kingston College (KC) track star Jovaine Atkinson is now a commercial pilot and he cannot contain his joy. “I'm ecstatic, filled with euphoria and contentment right now. All the hard work, the stress, the long nights, the studying and the occasional tears all paid off,” said Atkinson.
SUCCESS STORIES
October 17, 2019
Meant to Soar: Jovaine Atkinson's
pilot dream is now a reality
Financial insecurity weighs heavy on students, but with the help of the foundation Brenton used his scholarship to engineer a fresh start. Former Campion College stand-out student and athlete Brenton Bartley believes that scholarships are one piece in the puzzle of what creates a strong foundation for supporting students in their success.
SUCCESS STORIES
september 6, 2019
Keeping the Promise: Brenton Bartley excels from start to finish
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