Shakeba Foster made the community of Riversdale in St. Catherine proud on Thursday (November 17, 2016) when she was named the 2017 Rhodes Scholar by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen. The announcement was made at King’s House after a day-long round of interviews for ten candidates, by a review panel headed by The Governor-General.
In making the announcement Sir Patrick Allen spoke highly of all the candidates and suggested the formation of an alumni association through which they could help to impact other Jamaican young people.
For her part, Shakeba who was surprised and excited at being named the winner, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and promised to do her best. “I never in a million years thought I would end up right here but I am grateful for the opportunity and will see where it goes from here,” Shakeba said.
A graduate of the University of the West Indies Miss Foster majored in banking and finance and has a M.Sc., with distinction, in Economics. In 2012 she was recognized as the first year student with the highest GPA in the Faculty of Social Science and awarded the PanCaribbean Scholarship.
Shakeba is a youth leader in the Riversdale Pentecostal Church.