2018 Alumna of the Year
Jasmine Edwards
TJA Grade 10, Class of 1978
A nervous, shy, 9-year old beginning a new school year at a new school on a beautiful sunny, September morning, Jasmine Edwards, entered the classroom uncertain of what awaited her. That academic year proved to be life-changing. It was in that classroom that young Jasmine met and soon grew to love her teacher, Mrs. Jacqueline Juriansz, who challenged her students to optimize their academic studies by asking questions and by learning through art, music, imagination and play. Jasmine and her small, tight-knit class were shown love, kindness and respect by their beloved teacher. Her classroom allowed them the opportunity to form their own opinions on many topics and to share them with each other.
Vocally talented, Mrs. Juriansz, often sang to her students. “Bless the Beasts and the Children” became Jasmine’s favourite song – the lyrics reflected her teacher’s personal life mission to help those who could not help themselves - Bless the beasts and the children, give them shelter from the storm, keep them safe, keep them warm. Light their way when the darkness surrounds them. And give them love, let it shine all around them. Jasmine, who also enjoyed singing, was a member of the choir under the direction of Mrs. Juriansz.
Impacted by the positive, nurturing of her first teacher at TJA which evolved into an over 45-year friendship, Jasmine’s natural love for people and ability to develop and nurture strong connections grew long past her graduation from Grade 10 with the Class of 1978. Jasmine’s ongoing commitment to excellence and her genuine care for people naturally flowed towards a field of study in Nursing following her high school graduation from Kingsway College, Oshawa, ON.
Currently, she has served for over 20 years as a Surgical Nurse (specializing in Total Joint, Knee & Hip Replacements) in the Operating Room at Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston, Texas. To Jasmine, the mission of the hospital, “We Change Lives” is not merely an organizational slogan, but a heartfelt culture as she meets her patients and their families in pre-op, taking the time to introduce herself, answer questions, allay their fears and pray with them. She blinks back tears with an emphatic “I’m not going to cry!” as she shares that she considers the doctors and fellow staff her family and is appreciative of their support over the years.
Raised by God-fearing parents, Fitzroy and Edith Edwards, Jasmine and her younger sisters, Beverley and Angeline, were enrolled at Toronto Junior Academy because of their parents commitment to Adventist Education. After a family move to Orangeville, the short walk from their former Antibes Dr. home lengthened to leaving for school at 5:30 am. In the days long before school bus transportation and Before School program, Mr. Edwards remained steadfast in his families commitment to TJA, dropping his precious daughters off at school on his way to work in Unionville and picking them up on his way home in the evening.
Family is everything for Jasmine. Gifted with two beautiful adult daughters, Teka and Kyena, are spitting images of their mother. Jasmine may currently live in Texas but her heart remains in Toronto. She makes it a point to return home to spend time with family and friends twice a year.
The passing of her classmate and friend Eslyn Leacock and beloved teacher Mrs. Jacqueline Juriansz moved Jasmine greatly. Her reflection following the difficult loss of two friends brought a great desire to help and to give back to the school which offered so many wonderful experiences and warm memories. Now 40 years following her TJA graduation, Jasmine remains close to her alma mater by sharing her financial resources to support initiatives such as the Athletics Dept. Newmyer Classic and the recent Music Dept. mission trip to St. Kitts & Nevis so that more students could benefit from the experiences she had as a student.
In March 2017, Jasmine launched the Jasmine Edwards Worthy Student Fund – an endowment spread over four years in support of a family with three or more children enrolled at Crawford and involved in choir or band. Recognizing the financial sacrifice for parents, this mirrors her parents commitment to having their three children in the school all at once.
In the 1997-1978 Trillium, Jasmine’s yearbook thoughts were “TJA is: unpredictable, unexplainable, unquestionable…but most of all unforgettable”. We are grateful that her alma mater has remained indeed unforgettable and close to her heart.
In recognition of her ongoing commitment to excellence, dedication, love and support of Crawford Adventist Academy, we present to you the 2018 Alumna of the Year, Ms. Jasmine Edwards.
