A coalition of student representatives from 17 secondary schools across the country is waging a peaceful battle against crime and violence in schools and throughout their wider communities.

The 'Students for Transformation' project was formed out of a need to maintain peace and the spirit of healthy competitiveness among schools leading up to and during this year's staging of the Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships.

But the students want to take it further and are passionate about influencing the actions of youths across their communities and throughout the nation.

"It is up to us, the young people, to really take back Jamaica," said Nicholas Haughton, a sixth-former at Kingston College (KC). "There has been a breakdown in the moral values and standards of Jamaica, and we know that we are the persons to go out and create this change to stand up and represent Jamaica in a positive way."

Agents of change

The students see themselves as agents of change with the responsibility and the capacity to create the transformation needed to recapture their schools and country.

Speaking with The Gleaner on Friday, following a press briefing at Jamaica House in St Andrew, the students expressed concern about crime and violence in Jamaica.

Kristen Grehyion, head girl of The Queen's School, recounted a recent encounter with gunmen which has left her terrified but no less determined to break the tide of criminality and violence in her community.

"I was attacked by gunmen and that has caused me to live in fear. But this is what we are trying to break in our youth, that we don't have to live in fear," she said.

Alluding to the late head girl of Immaculate Conception High School, Pia Phillips, who was reportedly accidentally shot and killed by her father last year, the students expressed concern that this could have happened to any one of them.

"Could it be me? Who is next?" were the questions raised by Chanise Henry of St George's College.

Peaceful society

However, head boy of Kingston College, Damion Anglin, pointed out that it is this fear that has become the driving force behind the coalition.

"We are taking the steps as student leaders to try to bring back the society that we want, a peaceful society where we can go anywhere without being fearful and not be afraid that something will happen to you," he said.

As part of the transformation project the students have organised an exchange programme within some schools, in a bid to create a more harmonious relationships among rival schools. The head students from institutions such as Jamaica College, KC and Calabar, schools that are often involved in brawls during Champs season attend and lead students' devotion at their competitors' schools.

The students have also organised a peace march that will take place after the track event when they will march through the Corporate Area to the National Stadium.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com

Queen's eyes royal flush

Main rivals: Russell identifies Jura Levy of Vere and Gayon Evans of Edwin Allen as threats.

Last year's performance: Russell ran 11.58 for second behind Levy (11.46 - Class Two record) in the 100m and fourth in the 200m with a time of 25.15.

Expectations: Russell hopes to win the 100m and help her team take the 4x100m.

Note: Russell, the 100m bronze medallist from the 2006 Beijing World Junior Championships, was not at her best last year. Injury kept her out of the championships in Poland, but she bounced back this season with an impressive victory over Levy and Evans at the Carifta trials three weekends ago.

- Anthony Foster

Look out for The Gleaner's Champs special on April 2

One to Watch: Boys' & Girls' Champs

Carrie Russell

Date of birth: October 18, 1990

Class: One

School: The Queen's School

Events: 100m, 4x100m 4x400

PR: 11.36

Carrie Russell

Date of birth: October 18, 1990

Class: One

School: The Queen's School

Events: 100m, 4x100m 4x400

PR: 11.36