Newly launched book tells riveting high school stories

Jamaica-born authors Maureen Linton and Robert Linton launched their book, Mentoring Matters - Ready, Set, Soar: Maxine’s Story. The launch was hosted by the Jamaica Library Service and chaired by Linroy Marshall, a past student of one of the high schools featured under a pen name in this historical fiction.

Maureen Linton, a past student of Knox College, is an educator who has held positions as university administrator, adjunct professor, then retired as an accreditation officer. She collaborated with her husband J. Robert Linton, Kingston College old boy, a financial advisor, and sports enthusiast, to create this historical fiction, illustrating the far-reaching effects of successful mentoring.

This historical fiction featuring Maxine’s Story, tells of a diligent high school student who is fully focused on becoming a paediatric surgeon with the assistance of capable mentors. Although Maxine is not an athlete, she is motivated by financially challenged athletes rising up to become global stars.

It is an energising story relating the rich athletic history of the Jamaican people, riveting high school stories, summer celebrations, and the resilience of the country’s recovery from COVID-19.

The authors were inspired to write this book by merging their interests and life experiences. Both support the concept of mentoring as a tool to guide students to achieve success.

Maureen reported that she was strongly influenced by the Dean of the College of Education at Temple University, Dr Trevor Sewell, who invited her to collaborate with a committee to develop a satellite programme at Church Teachers’ College, Mandeville, Jamaica. This gave her the opportunity to mentor students and give back to Jamaica.

The Lintons also reported that the years spent collaborating with the Jamaican community in Pennsylvania to host Penn Relays athletes, provide accommodations, and ensure that they were warm and properly fed ranked as the high watermark of their quest to mentor. Hence, Maxine’s Story, “Mentoring Matters - Ready, Set, Soar was born out of such profound experiences as she tells of family encouragement; celebration of athletes; and her response to mentors from primary through high school.

Writings of co-author J. Robert Linton were influenced by the grounding in sports and leadership received from his alma mater, Kingston College. He related early influences, including his grandfather, who took him to Sabina Park to see the races at an early age. He also spoke of the life-changing impact Mr Forest, his headmaster, made on his life, by writing him a great recommendation, which became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Robert was also influenced by acts of leadership and giving exemplified by the KC Old Boys.

The authors conveyed thanks to the benevolent donors whose contributions support the concept of quality mentoring of children.