Lynne Mitchell Foundation awards $21m in scholarships this year
Published:Saturday | October 4, 2025 | 12:05 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Forty-two Jamaican students are celebrating a life-changing boost to their education, after being named recipients of the Lynne Mitchell Foundation (LMF) 2025 scholarships. The awards, valued at a record $21 million, were presented in August and represent the foundation’s largest disbursement since its inception in 2012.
Since 2013, the Lynne Mitchell Foundation has invested over $120 million in education as part of their effort to uplift Jamaican youth.
“This investment has supported hundreds of students through scholarships, daily meals, transportation, uniforms, backpacks and school supplies, infrastructure improvements, and sports programmes, removing barriers to education and empowering the next generation,” said Marlene Gordon, founder and president of the foundation.
The foundation was established in honour of her late mother, Lynne Mitchell, who grew up in St Elizabeth, before relocating to the United States. In fact, Mitchell, who is remembered for her generosity and her belief in the transformative power of education, was deeply committed to helping others rise above hardship.
“Each of these scholars carries not only personal ambition but also a sense of responsibility to their families, their communities, and Jamaica,” Gordon noted. “By investing in them, we are investing in Jamaica’s future. The foundation is proud to stand alongside these young people as they pursue excellence, resilience, and service.”
The 2025 recipients were chosen from a competitive pool of 219 applicants, reflecting both growing demand and the foundation’s expanding reach. This year’s class doubles last year’s tally, when 20 winners shared US$64,000 in scholarships.
Aspire Scholars
Among the standout winners are the seven Aspire International Scholars, all pursuing higher education abroad. Teiona Boucher, of Portland, studying accounting and finance at the University of the District of Columbia, has combined her academic success with leadership as a Deloitte ambassador and founder of a non-profit for young mothers. Dylan Pottinger, a top Campion College graduate headed to Rice University, excelled nationally in Additional Mathematics and Economics while mentoring younger students.
Dora Watt of Bethel Town, Westmoreland, is maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA in English at Grambling State University and plans to pursue law at Howard. Shantoy Maxwell, originally from Darliston, Westmoreland, is pursuing a PhD in School Psychology at the University of Florida with a focus on school-based mental health services.
The 23 Aspire Jamaica Scholars represent the breadth of Jamaica’s next generation of leaders, with awardees studying medicine, law, nursing, engineering, agriculture, tourism, and more at The University of the West Indies, University of Technology, and Northern Caribbean University.
Georgia Black, of Hanover, who is pursuing Tourism Management & Marketing at UWI Mona, Western Jamaica Campus, has kept a perfect 4.0 GPA, despite commuting three hours daily after Hurricane Beryl damaged her family home. Britney McDonald of Clarendon, a Doctor of Pharmacy student at UWI, Mona, holds a 4.12 GPA while coordinating outreach initiatives through the Pharmacy Students’ Association.
Raesha Archer of St Elizabeth, heading to UWI St Augustine to study civil engineering, Chantae-Marie Garrick of St Catherine, an Integrated Marketing Communication student at UWI Mona, balances as CARIMAC Students’ Society president and playing in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League.
Others are breaking barriers in medicine and law. Lauren Walfall, a dental student at UTech, hopes to address oral health gaps in rural communities. Rhameish Smith of Manchester, now at Norman Manley Law School, is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion. Zamoi Francis of Manchester, Hampton School alumna and former Youth Mayor, is set to study biochemistry at UWI while continuing her advocacy work.
Repeat awardees
Several students are repeat awardees, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to continuity. Asher Smith of Montego Bay, a three-time Aspire recipient is studying computer science at UTech, mentors students and leads community projects. Tiffany Peart, a two-time awardee at NCU, is pursuing computing while building skills in media production. Gianne Taylor of St James, an MBBS student with a 3.95 GPA, and Antione Mitchell of John’s Hall, also studying medicine, continue their impressive academic and leadership contributions.
Gordon, who resides in Florida, noted that the nearly 85 per cent increase in funding from 2024 to 2025 is part of a deliberate effort to widen the foundation’s impact.
“Last year we awarded US$64,000 to 20 students. This year we’ve doubled both the number of recipients and the amount disbursed,” she said. “That growth reflects our commitment to meeting the rising need and to living out the vision my mother inspired, to use education as a bridge to opportunity.”
In every case, scholarship funds, whether US$2,500 or US$5,000, bridge critical gaps. Students describe the awards as the difference between affording tuition or being barred from exams, between dropping out or pushing forward. For some, the recognition itself carries equal weight, affirming that their struggles and sacrifices are seen.