Bajan athlete heads to US university with help from some friends

Local athlete Selena Johnson is off to pursue her dream at Northern Michigan University.

The competitive long and triple jumper recently won a full athletic scholarship to the American university and with the help of Capital Media HD 99.3, the Capital Kids Project and the Amarone Charitable Trust jetted off this weekend to start her programme.

The three partners teamed up to present Johnson with a $2,500 cheque. At a brief presentation ceremony last Friday, Chairman of Capital Media Vic Fernandes praised the young athlete who was persistently recommended by his daughter Rebecca for some assistance.

“I am delighted to make a small contribution of $2, 500. Capital Kids project wanted to be part of this and to make a contribution, so along with the Amarone Charitable Trust we are making this donation, and Capital Media is putting $500 itself into the contribution. We hope that this will help you with some of your initial expenses. Of course, we wish you great success.”

Selena, a long and triple jump athlete as depicted on her T-shirt is off to Northern Michigan University.

Johnson, who acknowledged that her journey was not easy, expressed gratitude to her donors. “It’s been a rough road. I must say, at some points, I felt that this was not going to work out, but because of your help and others, I just want to say I am extremely grateful because everything has now come together and I can see clearly that I am on the road God wants me to be on. I am excited to have you guys willing to help me achieve my goals,” she said.

Her proud mother, Lowena, was also on hand for the presentation and she said it was a dream come true. “I feel like this moment, this is one of those red sea moments where God just showed up right at the moment and I am really grateful and I know that she is going to be an asset,” she said.