GoodHeart | CMU student Nevena Jones turns setbacks into strength
Published:Saturday | September 20, 2025 | 12:07 AM
For as long as she can remember, Nevena Jones has known the value of resilience. Growing up in the violence-stricken community of Rose Heights, St James, her childhood was marked by the constant threat of danger. Some days, she hid under her bed to avoid stray bullets, a terrifying reality that kept her indoors for much of her early life. Yet, within those walls, Jones found refuge in books. Studying became her sanctuary, and school offered her the only safe passage into the wider world.
Jones grew up in a small two-bedroom board house with her eight siblings, where her father carried the weight of being the main provider. Though he never had the chance to receive an education, he made it his mission to ensure his children did. Watching him work tirelessly left a lasting impression on her. His sacrifices, along with her mother’s quiet dedication to maintaining their home despite limited resources, became the foundation of her own discipline and determination.
“My father would always tell me, ‘Never tell yourself that you can’t achieve something. Always try, try, and try again until you succeed’,” she recalled. Those words have guided her every step.
With that encouragement, Jones has carried her determination into higher education. She is now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in logistics and supply chain management at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), drawn by her curiosity about how products move from one place to another. What excites her most is the problem-solving side of the field and the possibility of helping Jamaica grow by creating more efficient systems.
Financial challenges
Her path to this point, however, has not been without obstacles. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, her family faced serious financial challenges that forced her to pause her studies after her first year. She took on work to help support her household, but the setback left her feeling discouraged and uncertain about her future. With encouragement from her parents, Jones found the strength to return to university last year, determined to complete her degree.
The support she received through the Ernest Johnston Memorial Bursary from the St Mary Education Trust has been a turning point. For her, the scholarship represents encouragement, recognition, and hope. It eased the financial burden on her family while reminding her that she is capable of achieving great things. “Being a recipient of the scholarship means a great deal to me. It motivates me to keep striving for excellence,” she shared.
Despite facing emotional and mental challenges, Jones proudly maintained straight A’s last year. Outside of academics, she finds joy in reading fantasy, adventure, and romance novels, and she dedicates time each year to participating in beach clean-up activities. These small, but meaningful efforts bring her peace and allow her to give back to the community that raised her.
Looking ahead, she dreams of building a successful career in her area of study. Just as importantly, she hopes to uplift others by creating opportunities, supporting local development, and contributing to the scholarship fund that helped her pursue her dreams.