US Elite International Track and Field Incorporated is to adopt two Jamaican high schools under an MOU with the country’s National Education Trust, Sportsmax.TV has learnt.

The initiative is expected to be announced at this year’s U.S Elite International’s Annual Scholarship and Athletic Convention in Jamaica that will be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Downtown Kingston on November 5.

Founded by 2021 Global Teacher Prize winner Keishia Thorpe and her twin sister, Dr Treisha Thorpe, US Elite International Track and Field, Inc., a registered non-profit that provides student-athletes across the globe with opportunities to use their talents as a vehicle to access fully-funded scholarships to US colleges and universities.

The decision to adopt the schools is part of an initiative by Ambassador, the Honourable Audrey Marks in commemorating Jamaica's 60th year of independence and is also part of the Diaspora’s contribution to Jamaica in advancing its goals in education.

The convention will be held in person this year and Thorpe is expecting that there will be a strong turnout now that there is better management of the ongoing global pandemic.

 “We anticipate over 250 attendees, who have a lot to look forward to,” said Thorpe, who hinted that there will be incentives for the schools to get their student-athletes to attend.

“We will have college representatives to share critical information on COVID updates for international students, NCAA eligibility requirement updates, especially around athlete compensation, Optional Practical Training (OPT) for international students when they graduate college, changes in college admissions and areas in which SAT scores are mandatory and optional.

 “Of course, there will be our usual college fair at the end and we have athletic giveaways.  Another addition is that the school with the most students in attendance on that day will receive a cash prize to go towards developing their school programs.”