Talented young footballer, Jeffrey Addai-Peprah, looked set for a career on the pitch. But hospital treatment for a serious injury turned his head towards medicine and he now hopes to become a doctor. And that desire to help others and all-round ability has earned Jeffrey Addai-Peprah, 18, the Lord Provost McManus Citizenship Prize, an annual award recognising outstanding work in school and the community by a Dundee pupil. Jeffrey, along with his family, attend the Dundee Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The St John’s High School head boy was nominated not only for his sporting and academic success, but for a long list of activities to help others. This included teaching at a school in Ghana last summer, preaching in his church and helping to organise a Christmas fair which raised £2,000 for an Indian school.
Jeff, who speaks the Ghanian language Twi, volunteered at a junior high school in Ghana, in a trip to their home country his parents, Johnny and Bernice, raised funds for. He helped the 11 and 12-year-old children learn English.
Back in Dundee, he supported pupils with additional support needs during rehearsals for St John’s production of Hairspray – in which his ‘incredible’ singing voice saw him cast in the lead role. He also helped run a charity talent show and football match, has supported new S1 pupils and escorts parents visiting the school.
But modestly, Jeff said he hadn’t realised until he was put forward for the McManus prize the extent of his work over the last year.
He said: “It was very, very humbling to even think that my school think of me in such a way to even be nominated. I was very, very grateful and proud to be part of and seen to be representing the school in such a way. I hope I have been able to inspire people to take up not just one activity but many. There are so many opportunities open to you.”
St John’s head teacher Seán Hagney described Jeff as a fantastic young man who demonstrates the best of the school community.
He said: “He works incredibly hard on his schoolwork, his football and sports and the voluntary opportunities which he does with enthusiasm. He has been an outstanding school captain this year, and has been an excellent role model for our community."
Here at the Scottish Mission, we recognise and commend Jeffrey's exemplary character and are so pleased to have him and his family be part of our church community. We wish Jeffrey all the best in his studies!
