FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rebuild Dominica, Inc. Celebrates Thea LaFond-Gadson’s Historic Olympic Gold Medal Win at Golden Leap Award Ceremony
Dominican-American Athlete Honored at University of Maryland Event with Prestigious Attendees and Community Support
College Park, MD – November 21, 2024 – Rebuild Dominica, Inc. proudly hosted the Golden Leap Award ceremony on Tuesday, November 19th, at the University of Maryland’s Adele H. Stamp Student Union, honoring Thea LaFond-Gadson for her historic Olympic gold medal win. Thea’s victory marks the first Olympic gold for her native country, Dominica.
Thea LaFond-Gadson’s journey to Olympic glory is a testament to resilience and determination. Born in Roseau, Dominica, Thea moved to the United States at a young age, settling in Silver Spring, Maryland. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new country, she excelled in athletics, eventually becoming a standout track and field star at the University of Maryland. Her dedication and hard work culminated in a historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won the gold medal in the triple jump with a national record of 15.02 meters.
Photo Credit: Usman Suleman
During the event, Thea shared her story in a heartfelt and eloquent speech. Reflecting on her journey, she said that from a very early age her parents ensured that she “understood the power of a village”. She went on to acknowledge the people who are a part of her village and how they helped her get to who she is today.
Thea LaFond-Gadson is a Dominican-American track and field athlete specializing in the triple jump. Born in Roseau, Dominica, she moved to the United States as a child. She attended John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, and later graduated from the University of Maryland. Thea has represented Dominica in multiple international competitions, including the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics. Her historic gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics made her the first athlete from Dominica to win an Olympic medal. She is also the 2024 World Indoor triple jump champion.
The event was a collaborative effort with the Caribbean Students Association (CSA) at the University of Maryland. Presentations were made by Arianna Wellington and Osbourne Lawrence, the current co-presidents of the CSA, highlighting the significance of Thea’s achievement for the Caribbean community.
The ceremony was sponsored by Above Prestige Public Relations, OmniSystems, and the Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian & Associates. Barbara Eloi, a board member of Rebuild Dominica, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies, while new board member and incoming Treasurer, Jewel Cornelius-Royer, started the ceremony with a prayer. Joan Christian and Samora Christian provided support for the event as steadfast members of the event committee. Dave Winston and Alessandra Benjamin were additional board members present at the event. LaDàna Young (née Drigo), the current President of Rebuild Dominica, and Gabriel Christian, a founding member and former president of the nonprofit, moderated the event. A surprise performance by Jerome Austrie, a founding member of Rebuild Dominica, Inc. and a native of Castle Bruce—the same village as Thea’s parents—added a special touch to the celebration.
Thea LaFond-Gadson was honored with a citation from Governor Wes Moore’s office and received high recognition from the office of Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey by his Community Liaison Luis Murillo.
The event was graced by the presence of several prestigious attendees, including Thea’s parents, Mr. Dorian LaFond and Mrs. LaFond, the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Caribbean Affairs as represented by Mr. L.E. Larry Walker, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and Commissioner Luis McSween; Luis Murillo, a designee of Congressman Glenn Ivey; Janelle Colbert, Esquire, President of the Prince George’s County Bar Association, who brought greetings from State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; Colonel Julius Spencer, designee of Guyana’s Ambassador Samuel Hinds; Dr. Denis Antoine, Grenada’s former Ambassador to the United States and former Dean of the Caribbean Diplomatic Corps; and Colonel Julius Skeete, Military Attaché of Guyana to the United States of America.
Additionally, the event was featured on Fox5 DC news the week prior on the Good Day DC news segment. See – Honoring Thea LaFond-Gadson’s historic Olympic achievement | Watch
For more information about Rebuild Dominica, Inc. and upcoming events, please visit http://www.rebuilddominica.org.
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About Rebuild Dominica, Inc.
Rebuild Dominica, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovery and development of Dominica. Through various initiatives and collaborations, the organization aims to support the island’s resilience and growth.
Media Contact: Above Prestige Public Relations
Email: RDI contact form
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