Local teenaged middle distance athlete Brandon Parris left last Thursday for the United States of America, where he is set to attend the Claflin University in South Carolina.{{more}}

In pursuit of a four-year programme, where he will major in Computer Science and do a minor in Mathematics, Parris is aware of the challenges which may pose themselves, but plans to make the best of his opportunity.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT just before his departure, Parris said, “Once you stick to what you love and be dedicated to what you do, great things shall come.”

Achieving one of his life’s goals, Parris noted with a smile: “This scholarships means a lot to me and it is a great feeling that my hard work is paying off.”

Parris, in relating the sequence of events which led to him netting the scholarship offer, remarked, “It was done through my coach Michael Ollivierre and my performances over the years… This year I did a time of 47.27 at the Carifta Games in Guadeloupe and that lifted off everything.”

Parris underscored that his performance impressed the university’s track and field coach Lincoln London, who was present in Guadeloupe at the time.

Stating that he had a load of parental support, Parris related: “Throughout the years in track and field, my mom (Leanne) has always played an important role in motivating me and always supports me at every track meet, once it is possible.”

Parris, a member of the IT-DAT Track Club, added that Oliivierre has offered him a lot of moral support and guidance, both in terms of the sport and in other life skills.

“To the young aspiring athletes out there who are looking to go further, I will say to you stick to the work, as anything is possible once the dedication and the love for the sport is there,” Parris advised.

The 19-year-old Parris, a former student of the Thomas Saunders Secondary School and the St Vincent Community College, has had a filled plate on national representation.

He was part of his school’s and St Vincent and the Grenadines’ first appearance at the Penn Relays in the USA in 2011 and returned in 2012.

Parris has attended the Carifta Games in 2011, 2013 and 2014, as well as the World Juniors in Lille, France, in 2011 and the World Youth Championships, which took place in Oregon in the USA last month.

He was also a member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in July/August.

These go along with his three consecutive outings at the OECS Invitational championships in St Kitts in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Windward Islands Secondary Schools Games; the Hampton Games in Trinidad and Tobago, among other meets in the twin-island republic.

Parris was named Team Athletics SVG’s Athlete of the Year 2012. (RT)