JWN Scholar overcomes tragedy to earn degree

Determination shapes scholar’s path through loss and achievement

Life has a way of testing even the strongest among us. For Shannon Palmer, each challenge has become another step towards achieving her goals.

Raised in a modest Christian home by a devoted teacher and a self-taught appliance repair technician, Palmer learnt early that success was earned through discipline, perseverance and faith. Those values, instilled by her parents from childhood, became the foundation of her academic achievements and the resilience she would later need to overcome one of the darkest periods of her life.

Now a JWN Foundation Scholar and graduate of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Resort Management, Palmer’s story is one of determination and perseverance.

“My parents always emphasised the importance of education. My mother would spend hours after work preparing lessons and marking papers, while my father worked long days repairing appliances to provide for our family. Watching them taught me that success comes through consistency, sacrifice and hard work,” she said.

Growing up in a Christian household also shaped her character.

“My parents taught me perseverance, integrity and the importance of keeping God at the centre of my life. They inspired me to work hard so that one day I could ease the burdens they carried and give them the opportunity to work because they wanted to, not because they had to,” she said.

Palmer’s pursuit of academic excellence began at Hagley Park Preparatory School, where she developed a love for learning and graduated with the Principal’s Award.

Outside the classroom, she was active in the school choir, travelling across Jamaica on weekends to minister through music at Seventh-day Adventist churches.

Her leadership skills continued to develop at St Andrew High School for Girls, where she earned eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Grade One passes and completed eight Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination subjects while serving in several leadership positions.

She was senior prefect, form captain, president of the Tourism Action Club, vice-president of the Key Club, vice-president of the Peer Counsellors Association, and a member of several other student executive bodies.

Community service became another important part of her life through beach clean-ups, outreach activities and visits to children’s homes. Through the Tourism Action Club, she discovered the career path she wanted to pursue.

“I have always enjoyed creating positive experiences for people. Hospitality allows you to impact how someone feels through excellent service, memorable experiences and genuine care,” she said.

Determined to follow that passion, Palmer enrolled at UTech where she studied Tourism and Hospitality Management, majoring in Hotel and Resort Management.

University life brought new challenges. For much of her degree, she balanced full-time studies with employment, requiring careful time management and personal sacrifice.

“I remained committed to improving academically every semester. Despite balancing work and school, I graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.63, and I’m very proud of that accomplishment,” she said.

In her third year, Palmer was selected to complete a semester abroad at Humber College in Toronto, Canada.

The experience broadened both her academic and personal outlook.

“The learning environment was very different,” she recalled. “Students were expected to manage their assignments independently and there was a strong emphasis on student well-being and mental health. It taught me to become even more independent while broadening my understanding of different cultures,” she said.

Experiencing life in another country also strengthened her interest in pursuing an international career in hospitality.

“As someone studying tourism, experiencing different cultures first-hand reinforced how important it is to understand people and appreciate different ways of life,” she said.

NAVIGATING GRIEF

In 2024, Palmer’s life changed dramatically. While studying for a university economics mid-semester examination, she received news that her father had been killed by gun violence.

“I received the call while I was studying. He was my best friend,” she said quietly.

Almost overnight, Palmer found herself navigating profound grief while facing new financial realities. With her father gone, her mother would have to shoulder the family’s financial responsibilities alone.

“I wanted time to grieve properly, but life continued. Working and going to school was no longer about independence, it became a necessity,” she said.

Rather than allowing the tragedy to derail her plans, Palmer pressed on.

“My faith anchored me. I knew that, even though I had lost my earthly father, God was still in control,” she said.

She also drew strength from the confidence her father always had in her.

“He used to tell everyone I was going to be successful one day. He would joke that I was going to get rich and take care of him. Hearing him speak about me with so much confidence shaped how I saw myself,” she said.

Today, that belief continues to guide her.

“Everything I do now is to honour him and make him proud,” she added.

As she entered her final year at university, financial uncertainty threatened to overshadow years of hard work. Then she received news that she had been selected as a JWN Foundation Scholar.

“I remember calling my mom immediately after receiving the email. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief,” she said.

The scholarship arrived when she needed it most.

“It came at a time when I genuinely didn’t know how my tuition was going to be paid. I felt like I was so close to the finish line, but the goalpost had suddenly shifted,” she said.

The award eased the financial burden, allowing Palmer to focus on completing her degree while undertaking internships at The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, where she gained practical experience in food and beverage operations and guest services.

“It wasn’t just financial support. It was reassurance that my hard work had been recognised and that someone believed enough in me to invest in my future,” she said.

Palmer now hopes to build a career in Jamaica’s tourism and hospitality industry, contributing to higher service standards and memorable visitor experiences.

“Tourism is one of Jamaica’s most important industries. I want to contribute to strengthening it by helping create memorable experiences that leave visitors with a lasting positive impression of our country,” she said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com