The seeds of being Jamaican were always firmly planted in her sunny South Florida household, and all that was nurtured enabled the pursuit of dual citizenship to be firmly rooted from childhood in the mind of 24-year-old Shaneil Hamilton– a young woman now in full bloom of her national identity and heritage.
It meant everything to her since first grade at age six.
Religious and reserved (on the outside, she says with a smile), the God-fearing Shaneil is of deep inner resolve … embracing diversity from childhood in accepting British, Indian, Vietnamese, Haitian, and Jamaican nationals for whom they were in her circle of friends — even from her first grade years at Coral Springs Christian Academy.
Born in the USA, in her outlook, she was Jamaican then…as she remains Jamaican now.
She dug deep in her heritage, and with the family all dual citizens, it was natural for her younger brother and her to be so accredited last year. She always knew what she wanted, she says, so obtaining her Jamaican citizenship remained a focus and pursuit.
The family travels to Jamaica regularly, with her impressions as a child one of adventure that changed over time from vacation destination to returning to a second home. Undeterred by the country’s challenges, she’s convinced she could find her place. “I am comfortable in my skin,” she says, “and I could eventually live there. I am conscious of taking care — as must be done everywhere — but whenever I am there, it’s a different vibe. I always feel at home.”
The recent honors graduate, Magna Cum Laude of Florida Atlantic University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (concentration in Social Science), is aglow when addressing the Jamaican adage ‘we likkle but we tallawah.’
“We’re not to be underestimated,” she says, “you can’t discount our abilities. I am determined and driven and know where I am going…and we keep excelling and being the best we can be.”
She provides a positive word as well about the definition of brand Jamaica. “It’s the remarkable value of our heritage and culture. It’s our very pride.”
The multiskilled Shaneil Hamilton plays the piano and is passionate about her music, composing, singing, and writing poetry. Creative spirit, she’s quite taken with the performing arts.
Quietly yet rather convincingly, she asserts, “I’ve always felt closer to my culture.”
