World 100m hurdles champion, Brigitte Foster-Hylton (centre), autographs memorabilia for students on her visit to her former school, Prospect Primary, in Manchester, on Tuesday. - Photo by Anthony Foster

"Stay in school and dream big" was the message world 100m hurdles champion, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, brought to students of her former school, Prospect Primary, in Manchester, on Tuesday.

Foster-Hylton, 34, the fastest ever sprint hurdler in Jamaica's track and field history, driven by hard work and determination, won her first global title at the World Championships in Berlin in August.

"This is the where my talent for running was first recognised by Mr (Orlando) Allen and nurtured," Foster-Hylton told the 240 juveniles at the institution. "I, like all of you, was a student here.

"I encourage you to dream big, work hard and develop a positive attitude ... . Believe in yourself. If you think you can't, you won't, but think you can and you will."

She continued: "Children, I encourage you to stay in school and take a serious and disciplined approach to your schoolwork.

"The foundation for whatever career you eventually choose is being built right here, right now," she stressed.

Foster-Hylton, a Pan-Am Games (2003) and Commonwealth Games (2006) gold medallist, added "There is a great man and woman in each of you. work hard and you will succeed."

Words of advice

Foster-Hylton, who after Berlin went on to win six consecutive races, including the World Athletics Final, also dished out some words of advice for the over 50 parents gathered for the welcome function.

"Parents, I call on you to encou-rage your children to be the best they can be by helping them to recognise their true potential."

She later handed out some reading books to students, with the help of Dr V. Elaine Carter, president of the Central Jamaica Reading Council.

After handing out the books, Foster-Hylton implored the students to make good use of the material.

"I encourage you to read these books that are presented to you today because reading opens the door to greater learning."

Carter said it was an ideal opportunity to have Foster-Hylton visit the school.

"I thought a school like Prospect, having such an outstanding role model in Brigitte, would serve as an incentive to the children because many of them tend to become frustrated and unhappy because they are not achieving," she said, that adding Foster-Hylton is an example of perseverance.

Class-to-class tour

Principal Evon Palmer took Foster-Hylton on a class-to-class tour. Most of the students, when asked by the principal, "do you know this person", shouted Brigitte Foster. "Where do you know her from?" the principal asked. "We saw her on TV."

Foster-Hylton interacted with the students and signed photos. Some, mostly grade four students presented her with appreciation letters and poems, while others hugged their heroine. Noting her appreciation of reconnecting with her roots, Foster-Hylton, having viewed medals and trophies won by the school's athletes in recent years, thanked the teachers at Prospect "who contributed to making me the person I am today".