Young athlete one step closer to achieving Olympic goals

─ Broomes Foundation sponsors plane ticket to access scholarship

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Eighteen-year-old Joanna Archer copped two medals for Guyana and a full scholarship to a US university after competing at the CARIFTA Games. However, her dream of becoming a well-rounded athlete was short one plane ticket, until today.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, through her children’s Broomes Foundation, presented Archer with her plane ticket so she can capitalise on her scholarship to Monroe College, New York.

“I would like to say thanks to the Almighty for guiding me into Minister Broome’s hands and I would like to say thank you very much for your courtesy and everything,” Archer said.

Archer noted she was approached by a number of scouts after she earned silver in the 4×400 metre and bronze in the 800-metre race during the Carifta Games in The Bahamas in March.

“I chose to go to Monroe College since they have a very good criminal justice programme along with a very good middle-distance programme. That is everything that I need,” she said.

Archer, who has been an athlete all her life, completed her secondary education at the West Demerara Secondary School with straight ‘A’s. She said her aunt is the inspiration for her law career adding she also hopes to one day represent Guyana at the Olympic Games.

“I just don’t want to go and appear at the Olympics I want to go and put Guyana on the map. I would love to go and medal for Guyana in the 800 meters [race],” Archer said.

Archer encouraged other young persons to continue to pursue their dreams even if they cannot afford it. “You don’t know who God will put into your path like God gave me [Minister Broomes] … just follow your dreams, work hard and meaningfully and trust the process,” she said.

By: Tiffny Rhodius

Images: Kawise Wishart