Jesse Patterson, a 13-year-old student at Anchovy High School in St. James, tragically collapsed and died during a cross-country event. His sudden death last Friday has plunged many into grief, including his foster mother, Shanoi Smith, who recounted the heartbreaking moment as she collected his belongings at the school on Monday morning.
“We just get Jesse and him just gone suh,” she said with a heavy heart to local news outlet Jamaica Gleaner. Smith expressed her deep sorrow over his sudden loss. “I don’t know how to feel about him not coming home,” she added, recalling how she once told him to come home early without distractions—“no football, no running, just book and pen and come home.”
Jesse, whose enthusiasm for life was evident to all who knew him, had been eager to compete, according to the report. The news outlet reported that, despite not clinching first place in the race, Jesse outperformed multiple older competitors by finishing seventh. He was reportedly happy with his performance in the race before he passed away.
His foster mother had a close bond with Jesse, whom she had taken in after he ran away from a previous home. Smith and Jesse’s father were once romantically involved, and they had two children together. Jesse later left the family he was with in order to live with his siblings.
Smith remembered him as “a child full of life” and said he was excited to live with them. His foster cousin, Chadonni Morrison, also expressed that he believed God had a plan for Jesse, wanting him to experience love and happiness.
Jesse was a promising young man who excelled in his Primary Exit Profile exams. Jesse had a love for learning and was dedicated to his schoolwork, per the report. He was also beloved by his classmates, which is evident in the notes of condolence left at his desk. The incident, which occurred at the main campus of Anchovy High, has left a profound impact on both the school community and local authorities.
Officials from the Ministry of Education and the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) have since offered counselling to students, teachers, and staff traumatized by the event. Principal Lavern Stewart described the loss as “untimely” and noted that many students who witnessed the incident, including those who helped administer CPR, are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.