Six Years Into Motherhood, Sha’Carri Richardson’s Jamaican Idol Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Extends Million Dollar Support to High School Kids

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is a Jamaican sprint legend. She started her Olympic track and field career with the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics could be her 5th and last Olympics according to her recent Instagram post. Over the course of an illustrious career, Fraser-Pryce has accumulated 8 Olympic medals, out of which three are gold. However, the Olympian ran only a handful of races in the 2023 season and secured a bronze and silver medal at the recent 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

But, apart from being a force on the track, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is also a role model off the track and even U.S. track star Sha’Carri Richardson considers her to be an idol. The 3x Olympic gold medalist is constantly involved in a number of academic initiatives and, after becoming a mother in 2017, the sprinter has been even more active with children. This is also reflected in her latest initiative, which is set to uplift the lives of eleven high school goers.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce awards 11 scholarships worth $100,000

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is part of a number of organizations, and one such organization is her very own Pocket Rocket Foundation. The sprinter started this foundation in 2013 in order to leave a lasting legacy by bettering sports and education for children. In fact, according to a Pocket Rocket Foundation Report, Fraser-Pryce claims, “My dream and my passion has always been to helping children. That’s why I got my degree in Child and Adolescent Development.” In the first year of the foundation, the Olympian handed out 7 scholarships to deserving student-athletes.

Recently, a Track Spice post on X confirmed that this year, the Pocket Rocket Foundation will be awarding $100,000 scholarships to 11 high school goers. The post was further captioned, “Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce’s “Pocket Rocket Foundation” is giving 11 high school student-athletes academic scholarships this year. Each student will receive $100,000 towards their high school expenses (tuition, books, uniform, lunch and travel). Great initiative and support!” 

This initiative is usually awarded to student-athletes between second and sixth form and since its inception in 2013, the Pocket Rocket Foundation has helped around 66 student-athletes from more than 22 different high schools. However, this is only one such initiative by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who constantly helps children with similar programs. It was only recently, that the sprinter also surprised her childhood school leaving an everlasting memory for all.

Jamaican track legend’s initiative for her childhood school

Last year, The Penwood Church of Christ Early Childhood Institution in Jamaica, which is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s childhood school, renamed their institution to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Early Childhood Institution in order to honor the sprinter’s track legacy.

Sportswear giants Nike, who sponsor the Olympian, also donated $100,000 to renovate the school, which included a new playground and improved kitchen and classrooms. Fraser-Pryce also introduced new uniforms for her childhood school, which are blue in color and carry the new school name badging.

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These two initiatives are part of a wide number of initiatives that are undertaken by Fraser-Pryce. She is also an ambassador of a number of foundations and uses her platform in a positive way by enabling children to continue their studies and sporting development. All these initiatives highlight why even Sha’Carri Richardson considered the Jamaican as her idol and prove that Fraser-Pryce wants to leave a lasting legacy for women, mothers, and children.

Read more: Despite Being Destroyed by American Rival Sha’Carri Richardson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Backed by Millions: ”Nothing but Love for You”