With her arms flashing and a pleasing look on her face, Cindy Rose crossed the finish line in the girls' Under-20 1500m final at the just-concluded Carifta Games not just as a champion, but as an athlete ready to embrace the next chapter of her journey.

It was the perfect curtain call to a decorated high school career.

Having already cemented her name among the island’s finest young middle-distance runners, the Holmwood Technical standout brought her tenure to a close in triumphant fashion—first claiming the Class One 800m title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, then following up with gold in the 1500m and silver in the 800m at the Carifta Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

"Honestly, it’s an amazing feeling. Ending my high school journey on a high note means everything to me. Winning the 800m at Champs and the 1500m at Carifta shows the hard work and dedication I’ve put in over the years. I’m very grateful," Rose, who was making her first Carifta Games appearance said, as she reflected on her final weeks in high school competition.

Cindy Rose (centre) flanked by Sushana Johnson (right) and Guyana's Attoya Harvey after the 1500m.

Still, her swan song was not without its bittersweet moments. At Champs, Rose was edged out in a thrilling stretch duel by Hydel’s Taiefa Gowe in the 1500m. But instead of dwelling on the narrow loss, she used it as fuel for her Carifta campaign.

"I was a little disappointed, yes. But I gave it my all, and I respected my opponent’s performance,” she admitted.

"But it pushed me even more at Carifta because I was determined not to lose another race like that, and I was able to redeem myself with that gold in the 1500m. That meant a lot to me," Rose added.

The 18-year-old's 1500m triumph at the Hasely Crawford Stadium was a masterclass in front-running. Unbothered by the pack, she surged to the front and never looked back, clocking 4:37.95 ahead of compatriot Sushana Johnson and Guyana’s Attoya Harvey.

She returned for the 800m and battled hard, but eventually finished second to the US Virgin Islands’ Michelle Smith in 2:08.49. Her sister, Jovi Rose, rounded out the podium in third—a moment made even more special by their shared journey.

Cindy Rose wins the Class One 800m at Champs.

With her final races as a high schooler now behind her, Rose has already set her sights on the next level, as she is already committed to Indian Hills Community College in the United States, where she will continue her athletic and academic development.

"Indian Hills stood out to me because of how invested they are in their athletes. They have a strong middle-distance programme, and I felt like it was the right environment to keep improving. Plus, the coaches showed genuine interest in helping me grow both on and off the track and that means a lot," Rose explained.

While it will be a new beginning, Rose remains grounded by the lessons of her past and the dreams of her future.

"My main goals are to keep developing as an athlete, represent Jamaica at the senior level, and hopefully make it to the World Championships and Olympics one day. But I also want to pursue my studies and set myself up for life beyond the track. That balance is important,” she shared.

Cindy Rose (left) and Sushana Johnson show off their medals.

Rose’s journey has by no means been a solitary one as she is part of a unique trio of sisters—alongside Jovi and Kerrita—who are all carving out their own lanes in middle-distance events.

"It’s a special experience to share this passion with my siblings,” she said.

"We motivate each other, push each other in training, and support each other through the ups and downs. It wasn’t planned for us to all do middle-distance… it just kind of happened naturally," the soft-spoken Rose declared.

The Rose sisters, part of a family of 11 siblings, have become a staple on the Jamaican athletics scene, with Cindy often leading the charge. Now, as she prepares to trade school uniforms for college gear, Rose carries with her the pride of a legacy built on perseverance, humility, and love for the sport.

"Yes, I’m really proud of my journey. From the ups and downs to the moments of triumph—it’s all been worth it. Some of my biggest accomplishments would be my Carifta gold and my 800m Champs title, but really, it’s the chance to represent my school and country with pride that means the most," she ended.