Former Old Harbour resident Olympian Dorothy Scott-Genias gives back to alma mater

At that time Scott was the fourth person from the Old Harbour region to represent Jamaica at the Olympic level, joining Neville Myton who was the first to have done so two decades ago, Carol Cummings and Colin Bradford.

Like Myton, Scott did not make the podium but without doubt left a mark that serves as inspiration to those seeking motivation to attain such levels.

After hanging up her spikes the former long jumper has been supporting the sport in her own unique way. Last Thursday, March 14, Scott who is now married and bears a hyphenated surname returned to the place that was her springboard onto the world stage.

During a brief rap with the students Scott-Genias announced the donation of 61 pairs of spikes to the school’s athletics programme which she hopes will fuel their return to the pinnacle of the high school athletics.

“Vere was once on top of the world and we are going to get back there again,” she said.

“The journey may have been difficult to get these things here but it’s a pleasure giving back to my school, it really means so much.

“Together we can do wonderful things. So just continue to support each other as much as you can.”

Scott-Genias, as she’s now known as after getting married decades ago, was a member of the Vere team that won the 1974 and ’75 national high school girl’s athletics championship which laid the foundation of an enviable dynasty in which the south Clarendon institution reign supreme winning the national title from 1979 to 1993.

Her athletic ability earned her a scholarship from the then Old Harbour Junior Secondary School to Vere Technical, a period the North Street resident described as the “four best years of my life”.

Now a citizen of the United States of America, Scott-Genias also uses her time to galavanise support for schools in Jamaica. This donation, Scott-Genias said, was made possible by past students and coaches of Vere Technical, their families and friends. Among the contributors are former national athlete and Olympian Inez Turner and Keishia Thorpe of Elite International.

She revealed to Old Harbour News that discussions have been held to assist Old Harbour High at its track and field programme with an announcement to be made at the appropriate time.