‘Excellence not an accident’
Staff leader, accountant, The Gleaner’s Jovan Johnson among changemakers celebrated with Governor General’s Achievement Awards
Published:Friday | June 27, 2025 | 12:09 AMMickalia Kington/Gleaner Writer
Standing before a room of outstanding Jamaicans, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen yesterday encouraged the nation’s people to continuously invest in the advancement of changemakers.
“Excellence is not an accident. It is cultivated often against great odds, and it flourishes when grounded in service to others,” Sir Patrick said.
The 2025 Governor General’s Achievement Awards (GGAA), held under the theme ‘Igniting Excellence: Where Excellence Meets Impact’ did more than just commend academic and social excellence as it also celebrated the power of hope and service.
“Today, we gather not merely to commend achievement,” Sir Patrick said, “but to salute the enduring spirit of positivity that resides in each awardee and a spirit that when ignited has the power to transform communities.”
The annual awards, now in its 32nd year, was designed to honour Jamaicans between the ages of 18 and 35 and those over 35 who have made remarkable strides in education, leadership, and community service, often while overcoming adversity.
One such awardee is 24-year-old Jestina Monique Lewis from Anchovy, Portland. Raised by a single mother and enduring years without electricity, running water, or reliable transportation, Lewis still managed to excel.
She earned 12 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects with distinction, financed her tertiary education by working three jobs at Northern Caribbean University and is now a staff leader at Portland High School and an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“I’m very elated, (but) I’ve never been more nervous in my life,” she told The Gleaner moments after accepting her award. “I really feel like perseverance and hard work really paid off.”
In her eyes, the GGAA represents more than recognition.
“It kind of shows that even though I might have gone through a lot in the past, I was able to persevere and push through and be able to make an impact on my community,” she said. “Your dreams are not far-fetched.”
One standout moment in her journey was entering the Miss Portland Festival Queen competition, where she finished second runner-up.
“As a child, I was bullied a lot, and I entered the competition because I wanted to gain confidence,” she said. “It made me feel so proud that this little girl, who didn’t feel like she was enough, could be among others and could be on a stage to showcase her talent and awareness of her culture and of Jamaica.”
She also runs an annual soup kitchen in Port Antonio, inspired by her own memories of hunger.
“There were times when we didn’t have food to eat, and I remember how much it would’ve meant to me if someone would just come by and give me something to eat,” she said. “So when I am able to, I extend the same reach ... because I know what it’s like to be hungry and thirsty.”
When asked who has had the greatest influence on her, Lewis responded immediately.
“My mother because even withstanding everything that she has gone through and her circumstance, she is able to push through and to push her children to become what they can be,” she said. “She’s my inspiration.”
POSSIBLE WITH GOD
Her closing words were words of advice to anyone facing obstacles.
“Nothing or no one can stand in the way of you and your destiny. With the help of God, you can do it and you can be.”
Another standout was Jovan Anthony Johnson, a seasoned journalist and educator who hails from Clarendon.
Despite financial setbacks early in life, Johnson went on to graduate from The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona with First Class Honours in Media and Communication. He later earned two master’s degrees, including one from the prestigious London School of Economics as a Chevening Scholar.
Speaking after receiving the award, Johnson, a two-time Press Association of Jamaica Journalist of the Year and senior journalist at The Gleaner, said, “It is a privilege to be honoured in this way, nationally. Many persons, or most persons, do work and they go unnoticed for it. So I do not take it for granted that I have been fortunate to have been honoured in this way.”
This recognition, Johnson said, is an opportunity for him to continue playing his part and challenging himself to be better for his community and country.
In the over-35 category, Sheldon David Millington, JP, of Whitfield Town, Kingston, was recognised for his decades of community development, mentorship, and outreach.
Currently serving as a senior accountant at GraceKennedy Foods, his life’s work extends far beyond the boardroom. Through his organisations, namely The Elitte Club and The House of SDM, he provides psychosocial services, school supplies, and food packages to hundreds of people.
After accepting his award, an emotional Millington told The Gleaner, “I’m feeling very thankful. I’m feeling that the journey from where I’m from to walking on the stage, I didn’t walk alone. I walked on the stage with my sisters. Maya Angelou says it best, ‘I stand as one but I stand with 10,000’.”
He added: “I could feel my sisters, my grandmother, my grandfather, my father who is deceased ... and my mother who is not here today. And everybody who has supported me, I walked on the stage with them.”
Millington credits his success to his support system, including his volunteers and sponsors, who he endearingly calls his “angel network partners”.
“I have a non-profit organisation, House of SDM, and the work that we have done, I didn’t do it alone,” he said. “It has been the support of everybody… corporate companies who are champions of the poor and nation builders. I dedicate this award to them.”
One of his major hurdles was gaining the trust of sponsors in the early years.
“My biggest challenge at first was getting sponsorship from corporate companies,” he said. “But with people who believe in the vision, they ensured all outreach activities were accomplished.”
To Millington, the GGAA is both validation and motivation.
“This award will help me to know that the journey continues. Somebody is seeing the work that you’re doing, and you will be appreciated,” he said. “Not that you’re serving people because you want to be recognised, but there’s no greater feeling than to be recognised by those who know what you’re doing.”