Robotics continues to thrive in Jamaica!

Written By Lesleyann Samuel

Thanks to the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc. (UJAA), I recently attended the FIRST Technology Challenge – Jamaica National Championship that was held at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium of Jamaica College in Kingston.  Twenty-nine (29) teams participated in the Championship representing 26 high schools from all across the island country including schools from as far west as the parishes of St. Elizabeth and St. James.

Having the privilege of serving as a judge allowed me the opportunity to meet and engage with all of the teams.  It was a thrill to see and feel the excitement of the teams and witness their commitment and dedication as they competed in CENTERSTAGESM presented by RTX. During the 2023-2024 arts-inspired robotics season, FIRST® IN SHOW presented by Qualcomm, our teams celebrated the roles our STEM skills play in the arts, and design and build a world of endless possibilities.

The Winning Alliance was captained by York Castle High School Stingers and the Inspire Award went to the American International School of Kingston Hurricane.  Both teams are in the process of preparing to attend the FTC World Championship which will be held in Houston, TX from 17-20 April 2024.  In addition, Campion College and St. Jago High School will send representatives to the Dean’s List Awards as they join with hundreds of students from around the globe who compete for college scholarships.

As the FTC Jamaica programs continue to build, I am encouraged by the opportunities that these programs make available to our children.  FTC Jamaica is now working on Jamaica’s second FIRST® LEGO League Exhibition/Competition which will be held on 29 June 2024.  Twenty (20) teams will come together for this event in Kingston.  Please incorporate this occasion on your calendar and stay tuned to this website for further time and place details are available.

Lesleyann Samuel

Lesleyann Samuel is well known to all in the Greater New York Jamaican Diaspora and in particular in the alumni community having served as the President of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc. (UJAA) from 2014 to 2022. During her short tenure, UJAA’s membership grew from 32 member organizations to over 60. A leader of vision and passion, she focused on developing the programs of the Union, enhancing Brand-UJAA, establishing UJAA as a stakeholder with various education organizations in Jamaica, including the National Education Inspectorate, enhancing the effectiveness of the member organizations, and collaborating with other alumni umbrella groups around the globe.

With over 30 years of leadership experience in several non-profit organizations, Lesleyann has been active in the alumnae association of her alma mater – Immaculate Conception High School, St. Andrew, Jamaica for several years and currently serves as the Assistant Treasurer of the New York Chapter. She was instrumental in the introduction of robotics as an extracurricular activity at Immaculate in 2012 which led to their involvement in the FIRST® Global Challenge competitions in Washington DC in 2017, Mexico City in 2018, Dubai in 2019 and Geneva in 2022. In March 2022, Lesleyann co-chaired the Jamaica Diaspora Education Taskforce 7th Advancement in Education Summit in partnership with Marymount Manhattan College and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association. The Summit brought 60 educators and administrators to New York City for a week of “virtual” tours, workshops, panel discussions and breakout “reflection” sessions.

Lesleyann has been employed in various leadership capacities in the telecommunications sector for the past 35+ years, and since 2001, has been an adjunct professor with University of Maryland Global Campus in the Business Management department. She currently teaches Organizational Leadership.

In recognition of her deep commitment to serving others and giving forward, Lesleyann has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years including the Consul General’s Heritage Award 2018 from the Consulate General of Jamaica New York, in recognition of “outstanding and dedicated service to the community.”

Lesleyann holds M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering – Technology Management from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

She is the proud mom to son, Nicholas who lives and works in southern California.

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