Dancehall Star Aidonia gives back to students

Aidonia shared more than advice with a few students of the Maxfield Park Primary in Kingston recently.

The dancehall deejay addressed the fifth- and sixth-grade classes to motivate them, and to formally hand out certificates, scholarships and book grants to this year’s One Voice Educational Foundation grantees. The event was held on the school’s grounds.

“When I was your age, I knew the importance of staying focused. I believed in myself from my primary years and used education to help me. What you learn in school at every stage is what builds a good foundation, along with other things. Like focusing on your future and to never feel less than because of where you are from. What makes you different is how strong your foundation is. That is why One Voice is trying to help you youth become the best,” he said.

Through the foundation, Aidonia has been giving back to the Maxfield community since 2015. Each year a ‘top boy’ and ‘top girl’ from grade six are selected by the school and the foundation grants them full scholarships for the five-year duration of high school. Academic achievers from grades five and six also receive book grants and gift certificates to assist in purchasing school supplies.

Maxfield Park Primary’s top achiever and the 2017 recipient of the One Voice Educational Foundation scholarship was Shamar Baker.

“We have to work hard and our teachers put in a lot of work, too. I am so happy to get the help, and from Aidonia too,” said Shamar, one of five awardees on the day.

Aidonia was slated to perform at Reggae Sumfest at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay last night.