Teen who lost mom and grandma gets nine awards at graduation

Tiffany Pryce -Journalist at Jamaica Star

June 30, 2026

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Teen who lost mom and grandma gets nine awards at graduation

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As Jahanna Rose stepped onto the stage as the valedictorian of St James High School last Wednesday, receiving nine awards after enduring years of disappointment, one thought dominated her mind.

“When I got the awards I thought to myself, my mom and my grandma should have been here,” she told THE STAR.

The 18-year-old from Granville, St James, has turned unimaginable grief into remarkable achievement. She lost her mother, Nicola Taylor, 12 years ago, when she was in grade one in primary school.

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Sourced from Jamaica Star. Visit their website to read the full story.

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