Monthly Archives: September 2016

From as early as three years old, Chevano Baker’s resilience and fortitude to succeed was being shaped in and around the Christiana market, as he ventured out to the streets to increase the sale prospects for his parents who were market vendors.

He observed the hard work of his parents as they earnestly struggled to “make a sale”, and eventually, Baker was tasked to make his contribution to the income. He, along with his brother and their cousin, would scout for sales in the streets, driven by the need to secure their lunch money.

“I would sell shoe polish and matches. And we embraced it, knowing that it was something we had to do. And I felt that this hardship would give us a chance to beat the odds,” said the 21-year-old.

Throughout his high school years, Baker’s Saturdays were spent vending. He was the first to admit that it was not the easiest “part-time” job, as it exposed him to humiliation and crass remarks from his peers at school. However, he did not buckle under pressure.

“At school, my classmates who would say all sorts of negative things; but I motivated myself and never allowed the comments to derail my goal. I was working to assist my parents along a journey that would help me and my siblings to achieve our own success. And it was a part of a bigger picture, which they never saw.”

Fast-forward to years later, as Baker’s ‘stick-to-itiveness’ to achieve his academic goals, and defy the odds, would set an example for others.

A SUITABLE CANDIDATE

Recently, after completing his undergraduate degree in actuarial science at the University of West Indies, on an open scholarship, Baker was awarded the University of Birmingham and Jamaica National Foundation Legacy Scholarship.

It came as a surprise, but he was definitely qualified for the award.

“Looking for job opportunities and a scholarship were important for me,” Baker related. “Therefore, when I came across the JN Legacy Scholarship during my second year at university, I paid very close attention to the criteria. And I ensured that I would be a suitable candidate, based on my academic success and community involvement.”

The University of Birmingham and Jamaica National Foundation Legacy Scholarship, a three-year award, was launched in 2014. It affords one Jamaican student, annually, to study for a one-year master’s degree in a business-related field, at the UK-based institution, each year.

“I applied for that scholarship in my final year, when I became eligible, and was confident that I stood a chance. But, actually being selected was an amazing feeling,” he revealed.

This son of Clones district in Manchester will leave the country later this month to begin his graduate studies in financial economics at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Floyd Green, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Information and Youth, is urging parents not to discourage their children when they make non-traditional career choices.

“Parents, I must speak to you because sometimes the discouragement comes from the parents. Oftentimes when you hear your bright children say they want to go into non-traditional fields of endeavour, you are the one who says, ‘No, sah! Is how you going to survive?'” he said while addressing students and parents during the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation scholarship awards ceremony held at the JN head office in St Andrew yesterday.

Green argued that children should be allowed to explore more non-traditional careers so that they could take advantage of the changes in the labour market and the skills that are being required by employers.

Pointing to changes brought about by globalisation and technology, Green noted that the younger generation would be exposed to fields that were previously unheard of by their parents.

“Parents, you must guide them. You must question them and ferret out if this is really what they want to do, if they understand what they are taking up, and if they appreciate the size of their dream, but once you see that they appreciate that, then it is your duty to support them and encourage them along that journey,” he added.

Green further urged the 38 students who were officially named as JN scholars to take their education seriously in the pursuit of their dreams.

“Take your education seriously, and remember no matter what your dream is, you will have to work hard. There is no substitute for hard work; there is no such things as a easy road. There will be very difficult days, but you cannot achieve your dreams without hard work,” he said.

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Eleven-year-old Jada Myers, first-form student at Hampton School, who formerly attended Top Hill Primary, is not only overjoyed that she was placed at the school of her first choice in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), but that she also achieved her dream of receiving a five-year scholarship.

The Yardley Chase resident and former head girl, who scored an average of 97.8 per cent in the GSAT, is the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation Scholar for the parish of St Elizabeth.

“I feel accomplished and happy about being awarded a scholarship because I worked hard to get one. In addition, my teacher and family were hoping that I would receive a scholarship; therefore, I’m really glad that my hardwork has paid off,” she said.

Jada is one of 37 outstanding performers in this year’s GSAT who were awarded five-year scholarships, and will be officially recognised as JN Foundation Scholars at a scholarship awards reception to be held at theorganisation’s chief office on Sunday.

TOP STUDENTS

The annual awards, which was previously managed by the parent organisation, JNBS, up to 2014, has been in place for the past 33 years. To date, hundreds of students have been awarded scholarships to pursue theireducation at the secondary and tertiary levels.

“Annually, we recognise a top-performing student in each parish; and a top student in each county, who is a member of the JN School Savers Programme; as well as the children of JN Group employees who attain a minimum average of 85 per cent,” Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation, pointed out.

“The parish and county scholarships are awarded to students based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education, while JN employees apply on behalf of their children, once they attain the minimum average grade,” she explains.

Miss Brown noted that this year’s scholarship awardees join some 102 existing five-year scholarship holders, who were issued with awards over the past four years.

The awards are renewable annually and JN Foundation Scholars must maintain an average of 70 per cent for the renewal of their scholarship each year, during the five-year period.

Donna-Marie McDonald, parent of Stephan Griffiths, who received a scholarship in 2011 to attend Campion College, expressed her gratitude to the JN Foundation in an email recently.

She wrote, “The process for disbursement of funds was hassle-free and the JN representatives were courteous and professional. We did our part; and JN did their part by honouring their commitment on time, all the time.”

The JN Foundation scholarship programme also provides scholarships to students at the tertiary level.

Annually, 15 students attending the University of the West Indies, the University of Technology, Jamaica and the Northern Caribbean University are awarded a one-year scholarship to pursue undergraduate degrees in specificdisciplines. Tertiary students are required to apply for the JNBS Foundation’s one-year scholarship through the scholarship office at their respective university. One scholarship to the University College of the Caribbean is also extended to a JN employee.

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP

Additionally, for the past three years, three Jamaicans who successfully matriculated at the University of Birmingham Business School in the United Kingdom have also benefited from an 18-month full JN Legacy Scholarship.

This year’s GSAT Parish Scholarship recipients are Amri Hanson, Brandon Cheddesingh, Cardiff McKenzie, Dania Creary, Gabrielle Barrett, Jada Myers, Jada Glenn, Kentsania Samuels, Kyle Dunn, Leojai Hibbert, Romaine Barrett, Sashaunna Lamb, Shavecia Cole and Teiona Jones.

The JN School Savers Scholarship awardees, at the county level, are Daisja Langley, Alex Cephas and Ashae Whorms.

JN Employees’ Children Scholarship recipients are Aaron Robotham, Ajani Scarlett, Akeil Vassel, Alicia Campbell, Anya Gray, Arianna Eppes, Daena Wynter, Danielle Griffiths, Davian Skinner, Enidro Hall, Gabrielle Dixon, Jacey Henry, Jordan Palmer, Justin Williams, Keona McIntosh, Kiana-Jade Blackwood, Kymani Scarlett, Paris Campbell, Sydonae England and Zachary Gordon.

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