TIMAR Jackson's Facebook page blew up with likes and comments yesterday when, at about 3:30, he posted: Timar Jackson 2014 Rhodes Scholar.
He was announcing to his friends what the Rhodes Scholarship committee had, only minutes earlier, disclosed at King's House: that he had topped a field of nine accomplished young people and would be heading to Oxford next year.
Winner of the Rhodes scholarship for 2014 Timar Jackson and the other finalists with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House, yesterday. (PHOTOS LIONEL ROOKWOOD)
"I knew you'd become one some day." read one of the comments. "Bwoy, u never let me down," said another. Others included: "Well deserved", "I'm soooooo proud", "Always focused" and tons of "congratulations".
For Jackson, 24, the win is a lesson in perseverance, given that he made it to the finals two years ago but lost out in the end.
"Once you have your goal you should never lose sight of it," he told the Jamaica Observer.
"I could have easily given up," he added, explaining that he is on the wire in terms of the age requirement which stipulates that the scholarship awardee must not have passed the age of 25 in the year that the offer is taken up.
"I was born on October 16 and I leave for Oxford next October, so you understand what I mean," he said.
Jackson applied directly to the DPhil in mathematical and computational finance programme, but will have to do the master's pre-requisites before moving into the research component.
He holds an honours degree in actuarial science from the University of the West Indies (UWI), having graduated in 2012 with a GPA of 4.12 out of a total 4.3, according to UWI's grading system.
He earned seven distinctions at CAPE -- the university-qualifying exam sat at sixth form -- with awards for placing first in the island in pure mathematics Unit 2, accounting units 1 and 2, and economics unit 1.
At Vauxhall High, which he attended for the first five years of secondary school, he was successful with nine Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects, six with distinctions.
"He's a brilliant young man," secretary of the Rhodes Trust's selection committee Peter Goldson told the Observer yesterday.
"He's the genuine article. He has strong views about helping students in math and about being a role model for them and for young men in society. I think he'll do the Rhodes Trust and Jamaica proud," he added.
A quick once-over of Jackson's résumé shows a young man who has not only excelled academically, but in co-curricular activities as well. He served as president of UWISTAT -- the vice chancellor's ambassador corps -- treasurer of the Guild Council and the Rex Nettleford Hall Committee, plus a slew of other positions. He was head boy at Vauxhall, a prefect at Ardenne High where he did sixth form, and a sergeant of the cadet unit at Vauxhall. There are sporting activities too, including karate, track and field, rugby, as well as speech and drama. Jackson is also a motivational speaker and youth representative and is part of the Vauxhall Past Students' Association.
The latter is dear to his heart as he is currently spearheading a math mentorship programme called 'Countdown', which is intended to double the institution's CSEC math passes at the next sitting of the exam in 2014.
"I was alerted to the less-than-satisfactory performance of the students [but] I know they can do well. I was a regular student there and now look at me: I'm a Rhodes scholar. We all have the potential to do well, we just have to realise it," Jackson said yesterday.
He also has a slew of awards under his belt, not least of which is the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence in Academics (2012). There is also the Rex Nettleford Man of Honour Award (2009-2010), a JCDC gold medal and national award for best dub poetry (2005), plus numerous gold, silver and bronze awards for speech and drama (2001-2006). The valedictorian at Vauxhall's 2006 graduating class has also been top student from grades nine through 13.
But his highest honour to date is being named the 2014 Rhodes Scholar.
"It means I'm getting the chance to develop myself to my full potential so that I can come back and serve my country," he told the Observer.
And that's not just a catchphrase; he really means it.
"My country has given a lot to me and to whom much is given, much is required."
Asked what the country had given him, he named the country's primary and high school progrmmes which are heavily subsidised.
"I was also privileged enough to earn a place in university cost free, on a scholarship. That was on taxpayers' money, so it gives me a sense of duty to want to make the best of the opportunity and to make a contribution to my nation," he said.
Of edging out his competitors this year, Jackson said he put his 2011 experience to good use.
"I prepared better this time around given the first experience. I didn't try to do anything extra; I was myself and I didn't try to impress anybody," he said.
Speaking to the quality of the candidates this year, committee member Nigel Clarke said the group of nine finalists was "an outstanding crop of young people".
"It augurs well for the future," he added.
CAPS
Winner of the Rhodes scholarship for 2014 Timar Jackson and the other finalists with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King's House, yesterday. (PHOTOS LIONEL ROOKWOOD)
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2013 Rhodes Scholar described as 'a brilliant young man'
He was announcing to his friends what the Rhodes Scholarship committee had, only minutes earlier, disclosed at King's House: that he had topped a field of nine accomplished young people and would be heading to Oxford next year.
Winner of the Rhodes scholarship for 2014 Timar Jackson and the other finalists with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House, yesterday. (PHOTOS LIONEL ROOKWOOD)
   Winner of the Rhodes scholarship for 2014 Timar Jackson and the other finalists with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House, yesterday. (PHOTOS LIONEL ROOKWOOD) #slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img {filter:none !important;zoom:normal !important}  1/1 |
For Jackson, 24, the win is a lesson in perseverance, given that he made it to the finals two years ago but lost out in the end.
"Once you have your goal you should never lose sight of it," he told the Jamaica Observer.
"I could have easily given up," he added, explaining that he is on the wire in terms of the age requirement which stipulates that the scholarship awardee must not have passed the age of 25 in the year that the offer is taken up.
"I was born on October 16 and I leave for Oxford next October, so you understand what I mean," he said.
Jackson applied directly to the DPhil in mathematical and computational finance programme, but will have to do the master's pre-requisites before moving into the research component.
He holds an honours degree in actuarial science from the University of the West Indies (UWI), having graduated in 2012 with a GPA of 4.12 out of a total 4.3, according to UWI's grading system.
He earned seven distinctions at CAPE -- the university-qualifying exam sat at sixth form -- with awards for placing first in the island in pure mathematics Unit 2, accounting units 1 and 2, and economics unit 1.
At Vauxhall High, which he attended for the first five years of secondary school, he was successful with nine Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects, six with distinctions.
"He's a brilliant young man," secretary of the Rhodes Trust's selection committee Peter Goldson told the Observer yesterday.
"He's the genuine article. He has strong views about helping students in math and about being a role model for them and for young men in society. I think he'll do the Rhodes Trust and Jamaica proud," he added.
A quick once-over of Jackson's résumé shows a young man who has not only excelled academically, but in co-curricular activities as well. He served as president of UWISTAT -- the vice chancellor's ambassador corps -- treasurer of the Guild Council and the Rex Nettleford Hall Committee, plus a slew of other positions. He was head boy at Vauxhall, a prefect at Ardenne High where he did sixth form, and a sergeant of the cadet unit at Vauxhall. There are sporting activities too, including karate, track and field, rugby, as well as speech and drama. Jackson is also a motivational speaker and youth representative and is part of the Vauxhall Past Students' Association.
The latter is dear to his heart as he is currently spearheading a math mentorship programme called 'Countdown', which is intended to double the institution's CSEC math passes at the next sitting of the exam in 2014.
"I was alerted to the less-than-satisfactory performance of the students [but] I know they can do well. I was a regular student there and now look at me: I'm a Rhodes scholar. We all have the potential to do well, we just have to realise it," Jackson said yesterday.
He also has a slew of awards under his belt, not least of which is the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence in Academics (2012). There is also the Rex Nettleford Man of Honour Award (2009-2010), a JCDC gold medal and national award for best dub poetry (2005), plus numerous gold, silver and bronze awards for speech and drama (2001-2006). The valedictorian at Vauxhall's 2006 graduating class has also been top student from grades nine through 13.
But his highest honour to date is being named the 2014 Rhodes Scholar.
"It means I'm getting the chance to develop myself to my full potential so that I can come back and serve my country," he told the Observer.
And that's not just a catchphrase; he really means it.
"My country has given a lot to me and to whom much is given, much is required."
Asked what the country had given him, he named the country's primary and high school progrmmes which are heavily subsidised.
"I was also privileged enough to earn a place in university cost free, on a scholarship. That was on taxpayers' money, so it gives me a sense of duty to want to make the best of the opportunity and to make a contribution to my nation," he said.
Of edging out his competitors this year, Jackson said he put his 2011 experience to good use.
"I prepared better this time around given the first experience. I didn't try to do anything extra; I was myself and I didn't try to impress anybody," he said.
Speaking to the quality of the candidates this year, committee member Nigel Clarke said the group of nine finalists was "an outstanding crop of young people".
"It augurs well for the future," he added.
CAPS
Winner of the Rhodes scholarship for 2014 Timar Jackson and the other finalists with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King's House, yesterday. (PHOTOS LIONEL ROOKWOOD)
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2013 Rhodes Scholar described as 'a brilliant young man'
