A Kingston Centre adolescent mother who almost missed enrolment in the Programme for Adolescent Mothers (PAM) won the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) inaugural Spelling Championship held recently at the Foundation’s headquarters.

Ms Keosha Stewart, a student at the Kingston Centre, won the title on May 7, 2026.

The competition, held under the theme “Spell It Right: Shine Bright,” began in April 2026 with 87 students from the Foundation’s 14 locations. Over four weeks, the competition moved through the preliminary stages before culminating with four finalists representing the Denbigh, Port Antonio, Kingston and Montego Bay Centres.

The spelling competition was introduced to help students improve their literacy, build confidence and strengthen their public speaking skills.

For Ms Stewart, the win carried special meaning. She was recruited from Victoria Jubilee Hospital but later lost contact with the Kingston Centre before being registered in the programme, due to the persistence of her counsellor.

The Programme for Adolescent Mothers is voluntary. Ms Stewart’s participation and eventual win, therefore, reflected not only her spelling ability but also her decision to continue her education and make use of the support available through the Foundation.

Regional Manager, Mrs Kimarla Johnson-Fagon, who organised the competition, said the activity was designed to give students a practical and meaningful way to strengthen vocabulary development and literacy skills.

“The idea behind this competition was to create an activity that would help our students improve their literacy, but also allow them to stand before others, speak clearly, listen carefully and build confidence,” Mrs Johnson-Fagon said.

“Based on what we saw from the participants, the objective was met. The students showed courage, discipline and real effort, and I am extremely pleased with the outcome,” she explained.

The finals marked an important milestone for the Foundation, giving students from across its Centres an opportunity to participate in an academic activity outside the regular classroom setting.

Executive Director of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, Ms Novlette Howell, said the competition was in keeping with the Foundation’s work to support the continued education of adolescent mothers.

“The Women’s Centre was established to help adolescent mothers continue their education and return to school after the birth of their babies,” Ms Howell said.

“This competition supports that work. It helps our students practise reading, spelling and speaking, while building the confidence they need for school and for life.”

The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation is a Public Body of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, mandated to deliver the Programme for Adolescent Mothers, which allows pregnant girls and adolescent mothers to continue their education during pregnancy and return to the formal school system after the delivery of their babies. The Foundation also provides counselling, skills training, personal development and day care services to help students continue learning, care for their babies and prepare for the future.

 

-Latoya Rattray-Ellis