From River Top to Rising Leader: Meet Jamila Frith, Our 2025 Scholar with a Vision for Justice and Jamaica’s Future

Jamila Frith, 2025 Student Scholar

Every changemaker starts somewhere. For Jamila Afiya Rashida Frith, that place was the serene but humble district of Retirement, Bluefields, affectionately known as River Top, in

Westmoreland. Born on April 3, 2006, into a large family facing the challenges of generational

hardship, she was determined from a young age to break that cycle. Her early life was marked by

love and loss, but also by a growing resolve to rise above her circumstances. Jamila showed an

early curiosity and a strong sense of purpose, quickly becoming a young person with a clear

vision for justice and change. Her story is one of resilience and hope, captured best by the words

of Maya Angelou:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be

reduced by them.”

At just three years old, she was enrolled at the former Cave Basic School, where she quickly stood out among her peers. Her mother, Izona “Brenda” Foster, had ensured that she could read, write, and count before formal schooling began. By the time she graduated in 2012, Jamila was already recognized for her accelerated learning abilities and love for books, a love that only deepened thanks to her father, Rohan Frith, who works at the Westmoreland Parish Library and frequently brought home reading material for her.

In 2012, Jamila began primary school at Sir Clifford Campbell Primary, where her teachers were

astonished to find she was reading at a Grade Six level having just left basic school. Despite doubts from some about whether she could thrive at the school due to its reputation at the time, Jamila quickly silenced critics. She consistently topped her classes, and her exceptional performance prompted more than one attempt by staff to have her skip a grade, a proposal her mother declined, wanting Jamila to experience every step of her journey without disruption.

In Grade Three, she experienced a life-altering loss when her mother passed away, leaving her

and her sister Aisha, who has cerebral palsy, in the care of their father. She relocated to Savanna-la-Mar to live with her father, sister, and grandmother. There, she learned to navigate the difficult balance between academic responsibilities and supporting her family, particularly in helping care for her sister. The circumstances were often overwhelming, especially for her father, as a single parent who carried the immense burden of providing for the family. Despite these challenges, he made significant sacrifices to ensure she remained in school.

Determined to honor her mother’s dream of her attending The Manning’s School, Jamila remained focused and resilient. In the face of personal adversity, she maintained academic excellence and actively engaged in the arts, cultivating a love for singing and acting through her participation in JCDC competitions. Her leadership, discipline, and perseverance earned her numerous accolades, including Head Girl, Valedictorian of the graduating class of 2018, Top Girl, and Top GSAT Performer.

Her passion for law was first sparked during a family discussion about her cousin, who had been wrongfully imprisoned. The injustice of the situation stirred something in her, and what began as a playful imitation of a lawyer quickly grew into a serious interest. After her release, that same cousin, who was a seamstress, went on to sew her very first Manning’s School uniform, a gesture that held both pride and symbolism. Tragically, not long after, her cousin became a victim of gun violence. The heartbreak of losing someone who had endured so much deepened her resolve.From that point forward, she became determined to pursue a career in criminal law, to advocate for those who are silenced, wronged, or forgotten by a flawed justice system.

When she began her journey at The Manning’s School, many were surprised to learn that she had not come from a traditional preparatory school. Some even doubted it, astonished that a student of such calibre could be a product of Sir Clifford Campbell Primary. But she was not only proud of her roots, she was determined to prove that she was not the only good product of that school. From the moment she entered 1 Indigo, she was focused on excelling. Though adjusting to thirteen subjects was a challenge, she soon found her rhythm and went on to place first in her class each academic year. She received subject awards and honor roll recognition at every prize-giving ceremony throughout her time at the institution.

Her love for the arts remained constant. She joined both the Manning’s Chorale and the Performing Arts Society, but eventually chose the latter when practice schedules began to clash. As a member of the Performing Arts Society, she took part in numerous group pieces, dramatic performances, and public speaking competitions. The club became a source of empowerment for her,helping to build the confidence that now defines her presence. Beyond that, she remained actively engaged in school life through her involvement in several other clubs: the Tourism Action Club, where she served as Vice President for the 2023–2024 academic year; the Film Society, also as Vice President; and membership in the Environmental Club, Debating Society, Journalism Society, and of course, the Performing Arts Society.

Jamila continued to excel throughout high school. In Fourth Form, she chose the Arts over Sciences, much to the dismay of her Biology teacher, Mr. Donaldson, who often remarked that she had the potential to become a doctor. However, Jamila was firm in her decision, choosing a path that aligned with her passions and long-term goals. In 2023, she graduated from Fifth Form as Valedictorian with nine CSEC passes. These included six Grade Ones in English A, English B, Human and Social Biology, Principles of Business, History, and Spanish, and three Grade Twos in Geography, Principles of Accounts, and Mathematics.

She remained at Manning’s for Sixth Form, where she chose the Mixed Pathway—opting for Entrepreneurship over History, joking that History might try to “finish what it started.” In Lower Sixth, she excelled in her CAPE Unit 1 examinations, earning Grade Ones in Law, Entrepreneurship, and Communication Studies, and a Grade Two in Sociology. She was namedTop CAPE Girl and awarded the Morrel Beckford Cup for Top Law Student, in addition to subject awards for Sociology and Communication Studies.

Now in Upper Sixth, she is completing Unit 2 of those subjects along with Caribbean Studies, and is preparing to graduate in June 2025. In keeping with her dream of becoming a lawyer, she has also volunteered with the Westmoreland Parish Court in the administrative division. This opportunity has given her practical insight into the workings of the justice system, expanding her understanding beyond the classroom.

Jamila's community involvement reflects her deep sense of purpose. She has participated in several beach clean-up initiatives and contributed to a toy drive for the children’s ward at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital. These experiences are more than acts of service—they represent her broader mission. She hopes to one day be in a position not only to give back to her family, who have made countless sacrifices, but also to uplift those in her community. She dreams of being a voice for the unheard and amplifying the needs of the overlooked. As part of this vision, she aspires to establish a foundation in her mother’s name, beginning with educational grants for students in the community where she was born.

Jamila’s immediate goal is to pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of the West Indies and subsequently attend the Norman Manley Law School, where afterwards she will begin her journey in the legal profession. But her vision extends far beyond this, she aspires to serve as the Prime Minister of Jamaica, driven by a deep sense of duty to her country and an unwavering passion for public service. She believes that through principled leadership and relentless advocacy, she can help build a more just and equitable society, one where every voice is heard, opportunities are truly equal, and no one is left behind. Jamila holds close the words of Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” This mantra fuels her resolve to break barriers and challenge the status quo. She also draws inspiration from Toni Morrison’s powerful reminder that, “If you have freedom, you must free somebody else; if you have power, you must use it to empower somebody else.” Jamila is more than a hopeful student; she is a determined changemaker whose name will be remembered—not just for the goals she achieves, but for the powerful legacy she will create, transforming the future of Jamaica and inspiring generations to

come.