Coach surprised at graduation for helping student turn life around
Published:Friday | July 11, 2025 | 1:12 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Educator and coach Tamara Williams-Gayle was the surprise star of Merl Grove High School’s graduation ceremony last Thursday when she was unexpectedly recognised for the life-changing impact she had on a student who once struggled to find her footing.
With more than 14 years of experience in education, Williams-Gayle was called to centre stage during an unscheduled segment of the programme. There, she received a heartfelt gift and message of appreciation, delivered by Inspector Verna Henry on behalf of the student’s overseas-based parents.
“To be honest, I felt really honoured,” Williams-Gayle later told The Gleaner.
“The fact that Virgo literally recognised me as that person in her life who opened that door or removed that block from her tunnel, just to shine that light and to actually have her feeling wanted and overjoyed in terms of excelling to greater heights, it felt really good. I was surprised but not about helping students to excel because I am always doing that.”
Over the years, Williams-Gayle has developed a reputation for helping students tap into their hidden potential and cope with personal challenges.
“It’s just a joy to be singled out. At least you know that you are doing something and you reached in someone’s ears, and it feels good to know that she is actually listening and it is doing something for her in a positive light,” Williams-Gayle said.
That student – 16-year-old McKenna Virgo – radiated pride as her wish to publicly honour Williams-Gayle came true.
Their relationship began in the classroom and blossomed through their shared love of athletics.
“When I started at Merl Grove in 2022, I met Virgo. She was in my class, and to be honest, I am always observing and looking out to recruit [athletes] and especially [in] the event that I coach, which is throws. I am always looking out for the ones, not just a big girl but a girl who looks strong and has the build and everything, just like Virgo. She was always looking sad, untidy, and that’s what I never liked,” Williams-Gayle recalled.
Williams-Gayle decided to reach out.
“I said, ‘Virgo, come on, what’s wrong with you? You looking like you going through a lot. You know, give her a little pep talk, and everywhere I see her in the school, I always bother her and I tell her I need her to [take up sports]. I think that I can shift your focus, whatever is bothering you,” Williams-Gayle said.
With her parents living overseas, Virgo had been struggling with the transition and its emotional toll, both at home and in school.
SHIFT IN FOCUS
“Last year, she started coming around. I told her the other girls were doing well, and she said she was coming [to training]. I went on maternity leave and my husband, also a coach, took over,” Williams-Gayle said of the attempts to persuade Virgo.
Her husband eventually also saw in Virgo what she did.
“Him say, Trust me. Remember that I have been coaching way longer than you.’ He was like, ‘Yes, give her a chance.’
“He gave her a [pair of] shoes and from him give her that shoes, Virgo never stopped training,” Williams-Gayle said.
What followed was a transformation. Virgo began opening up, smiling more, and showing signs of newfound confidence.
“If we have Christmas camp, she first come with her suitcase. It is a joy. I am really happy. Things started turning around. Virgo start take care of herself. She started combing her hair, uniform looked neat, and you know she was encouraged and had a shift in focus,” Williams-Gayle said.
Her first competition would be the second turning point.
“She started to look like she was getting over the whole trauma or whatever she was going through. She began showing this personality that nobody would have known that Virgo had that personality,” Williams-Gayle told The Gleaner.
Williams-Gayle said she expects big things from Virgo next year in shot put and told The Gleaner that she would be gracing its sports pages soon.
Virgo’s mother, Jacquline Powell-Johnson, told The Gleaner that she was grateful for Williams-Gayle’s stewardship in her absence, especially at a critical time.
“Trust me, Mrs Gayle did wonders with Mac Mac, and I am really appreciative. Watching my daughter walk the stage and collect her certificate brought tears to my eyes. She did it, and she is talking about going further with sports and her education. I also have to recognise her netball coach, Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish,” Powell-Johnson said.