Joy Spence marks 45 years at J. Wray & Nephew with J$1.9 million school donation
Georgia Fearon, Appleton Estate Brand Manager; Candiese Leveridge, Digital & Media Manager, at J. Wray & Nephew; Samara South, Public Affairs & Government Relationships Manager at J. Wray & Nephew; Vice Principal Mrs Janice Larmond; Emeika Williams (Head Girl); Ammere Atkinson (Head Boy); Dr. Joy Spence, Appleton Estate Master Blender; Mr. Oneil Larmond, Principal, Marlonae Harriott (Deputy Head Boy); Kymarley Brown (Deputy Head Girl), Vice Principal Ms. Cynthia Morris; Garfene Grandison, Corporate Communications Manager at J. Wray & Nephew Ltd.; and Jahnine Taylor, Operations Manager at the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience; at the JOY45 Handover Ceremony at Siloah Primary School
Key Points(5)
- Jamaican master blender Dr.
- Joy Spence has marked 45 years with J.
- Wray & Nephew Limited by donating J$1.9 million in educational and infrastructure supplies to Siloah Primary School in St.
- The donation, presented on Oct.
- Wray & Nephew Foundation and Appleton Estate, includes two 1,000-gallon water tanks, 18 water stands, five-gallon water bottles, three smart televisions, 24 wall-mounted fans and a water testing kit.
Jamaican master blender Dr. Joy Spence has marked 45 years with J. Wray & Nephew Limited by donating J$1.9 million in educational and infrastructure supplies to Siloah Primary School in St. Elizabeth.
The donation, presented on Oct. 30 through the J. Wray & Nephew Foundation and Appleton Estate, includes two 1,000-gallon water tanks, 18 water stands, five-gallon water bottles, three smart televisions, 24 wall-mounted fans and a water testing kit.
The contribution is intended to improve the school's drinking water storage, classroom conditions and access to technology for teaching and learning.
The latest donation builds on a relationship between Spence and the school that began five years ago during the "40 Years of Joy" initiative. The programme introduced a breakfast feeding initiative for primary schools surrounding Appleton Estate in St. Elizabeth.
During an earlier visit to Siloah Primary, Spence was impressed by the commitment of Principal Oneil Larmond and the enthusiasm of the students, prompting her to continue supporting the institution.
Earlier this year, that support included a commitment to provide feminine hygiene supplies throughout the year for girls in grades five and six.
Spence said education has remained central to her community work and that the latest contribution addresses practical needs that can affect students' ability to learn.
"My passion is for education, and I always support causes for education through the foundation, through scholarships, and initiatives such as this," she said.
"Having drinking water readily available, cooler classrooms, and technology to support teaching can help students feel more comfortable and better able to concentrate on learning."
She added that it was particularly meaningful to mark her 45-year milestone with a contribution to young people.
Principal Larmond welcomed the donation, saying the equipment had helped transform the school's learning environment.
"We are extremely happy for her donation of water drums, water coolers, wall fans and smart televisions. This has transformed our learning environment, allowing our students and staff to work more effectively," he said.
Larmond added that the improvements would support student performance and thanked Spence and the JWN Foundation for their continued support of the school and surrounding community.
Spence joined J. Wray & Nephew in 1981 as chief chemist and became the spirits industry's first female master blender in 1997. Her 45-year career is being celebrated through the JOY45 anniversary programme.
As part of the celebrations, an anniversary dinner held at The University of the West Indies, Mona, on Oct. 15 also recognized scholarship recipient Cara Fraser, highlighting the connection between Spence's professional achievements and opportunities for the next generation.
The Siloah Primary donation extended that focus to the communities surrounding Appleton Estate, with investments in resources intended to support students and teachers throughout the school year.
