Nickhale Nelson ‘outdid’ himself in PEP after ‘father’ was murdered

For an 11-year-old child to do so makes it even more remarkable.

A little over a week before the commencement of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) national exams, Nickhale Nelson of Davis Primary School lost one of the most important persons in his life. His dad, albeit not his biological father, but a man who has been playing that fatherly role ever since his mom moved to Hart Street, Old Harbour many, many years ago.

Through all the pain and trauma, Nickhale came out of the annual examination for final year primary school students with a 91% average to secure a berth at the much revered Glenmuir High School.

During an emotional interview with Old Harbour News in which tears flowed literally mother-of-two Kimberly McLary said there were times she felt like giving up and wish away this nightmare experience. But whenever those thoughts came to mind, her two sons, the youngest being eight years old, made her think otherwise.

“When I just came to Old Harbour, those persons took me in their home and treat me like a family,” said McLary. “So we had a close bond. His (the deceased) father and mom helped to raise them like their own and he was there like a father to them.

“We have lost his mom some four years ago and we still haven’t recovered from that and then this loss; it really hit deep.

“It was really a nerve-racking and traumatizing time.”

The man whom she speaks of is 29-year-old Delgrado Cole who was gunned down in the community of Hart Street, Old Harbour on April 17, 2022.

They were forced to relocate due to unverified rumours surrounding Cole’s death, which feels like starting life all over again.

“It wasn’t an easy one for me,” she added. “It wasn’t easy for my kids. Even now it still hurts. He had a breakdown in the graduation. For him to pull through (past his exam) that even surprise me.”

For McLary, Cole was a brother to her and his parents treated her like their daughter, so much so she refers to the elder Cole as ‘daddy’.

He’s sorely missed, she said, noting that he was always supportive towards her children and constantly reminded Nickhale “that he has the ability” in him to succeed in PEP and anything else he wants to pursuit.

Nickhale, who turns 12 on July 4 said making his mom proud was his biggest motivation as he wanted to repay her “because she worked very hard and pulled through the hard times” for them.

“I just tried my best to ignore all of the problems and focus on satisfying my mother,” said the little boy who has big dreams of becoming an astronomer or marine biologist.

“I’m very proud of myself. I really outdid myself. I didn’t think that I would have passed for such a great school but thank God I passed for the Glenmuir High.”

His mom added: “Trust me I’m overwhelmed. Words couldn’t explain how proud and happy I am to know that I have put in the hard work and it has paid off so far.”

McLary said she thanked God every day for granting her “two understanding and humble kids” based on the nature of her job. As a security officer, she works a minimum of 12 hours a day which robs her of spending precious time with them regularly.

Dealing with the emotional and mental stress of Cole’s death compounded her woes as a mother as well during such a tumultuous period for the family.

“I have to give God thanks. Trust me,” she said, before recognizing the supportive role played by the senior Cole, who looked after them when she’s at work.

“So when they are sleeping I’m leaving and when I get home in the nights they are sleeping.

“A lot of times I feel like staying home but staying home means a day without pay and I can’t afford that because they have to go to school, I have to go to work, food have to put on the table, bills have to pay,” she told Old Harbour News.

For McLary it has been a major transformational shift in every possible way one can imagine. She now she has to be paying rent, coming from place where she “basically lived free”.

“I was living at the house and we didn’t know the nature of what was going on and I didn’t want to get caught up in the crosshairs or anything with the kids and all of that, so I just move out,” she reasoned. “And still I have to think about my safety because we don’t know the nature of what took place, so I have to be looking over my shoulder. It isn’t easy and even now we still have that fear.”

Having her children with her gives McLary plenty of hope, that a light is definitely at the end of the dark tunnel she finds herself in at present.

She’s expecting big things from Nickhale at Glenmuir, though she’s nervous facing up to the reality that her son is about to start high school soon.

“I still see them as my babies… and trust me it’s a big transition for me right now and I’m just looking forward to the day to say ‘oh my God’ my boy is going to high school.”

“It’s more work. I tell him ‘you just touching the tip of the iceberg’ now. And I don’t expect less from them.

While he’s looking forward to high school, Nickhale said life at Davis Primary “was great”.

“I had great teachers and met great people. I would like to say thanks to not only my mother but to my teachers because they were also part of my journey,” he said.