Monthly Archives: November 2024

Driven by a passion for aviation and a love for tackling complex processes, JN Scholar, Khalil Mair sees his recent academic success as a launching pad to his dream of one day having a high-flying military career.

The 2024 JN Foundation PEP scholar for St Andrew, said he is looking to become a military pilot, a profession that requires a blend of both intellect and adeptness while on the frontline of defence and national security.

“I’ve been fascinated with planes and flying from I was very young- around age five,” the Dunrobin Primary past-student shared.

Khalil, now a first former at Campion College in St Andrew, said he has started attending meetings of the aeronautics club at his new school, to broaden his knowledge of aviation and connect with others who share a common interest.

“So far we’ve only had one meeting and it was really interesting because I learned things that I never knew before and that information will also help me when I get to third form and start doing subjects like physics,” he said.

The ‘Campionite’ said he enjoys mathematics, the sciences and French. He also enjoys running.

“In primary school during grade five, our coach decided to start a track team because there wasn’t one there and I was really interested, so I joined and trained for a while. It was really challenging and hard, but it was something that I really liked, and I think I can excel in it and be good in it if I practice more. I have already started the track programme at Campion,” he said. 

Khalil was among 37 scholarship recipients who were recognised for their PEP achievements at the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship awards reception held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on October 6. His outstanding performance in the Primary Exit Profile, known in short as PEP, led to his selection as the JN Scholar for St Andrew, and he was awarded a five-year scholarship.

“I was very excited, and I felt very proud of myself that I was able to get it and also that I was the one who got the highest score out of all the scholars in the room. The scholarship will really help my father and my mother with my educational expenses,” he shared.

Courtney Mair, Khalil’s father, said both he and Khalil’s mother are grateful to the JN Foundation for providing the scholarship, which will also serve as a start for their son’s college fund.

Mr Mair, who is an entrepreneur and Kingston College old boy, said his son, the youngest of his three children, has always been doing well, earning the top boy spot in every grade at Dunrobin Primary. He also has two daughters who he said adores their little brother.

“He just keeps on excelling and when I saw he passed for Campion, I cried because I know what it takes to go to Campion. I’ve heard stories, so I knew he did exceptionally well,” Mr Mair said adding that “he loves school and even when it rains or he’s sick, he wants to go and I don’t think it’s to play.”

He said going forward he will be encouraging his son to read more and give less attention to his phone. As for Khalil’s career goal to be a fighter pilot, Mr Mair said he supports it.

“I really encourage him to go after what he wants and if he changes his mind, so be it because we know things can change after a while. But that’s what he wants and whatever support we can provide him, we will do whatever it takes to get it to him,” he said.

Expressing a similar sentiment, Khalil’s mother, Tracey-Ann Hendricks, an Assistant Teacher at Rainbow Land Nursery School in Kingston, said she’s also proud of her son’s accomplishments and is looking forward to him building on his academic successes and going after his interests.

“Campion was his first choice and when he passed, I said ‘Yay!’ because I had actually written it down that I wanted him to pass for Campion. When I got the call that he was also selected for a JN Foundation scholarship, I was shocked but excited and proud at the same time, and I said this is a really big thing for him because it will help him out so much with school,” she said.

“He’s a very smart, fun loving and kind person. Khalil loves to do his work and does not like anyone interfering in his work. He will definitely work hard for what he wants,” she added.

Financial education consultant at the JN Foundation, Rose Miller, says managing personal finances has become more crucial than ever given the existing financial environment. According to recent media reports quoting a report by the Bank of Jamaica, more Jamaicans are falling behind on their regular monthly payments on loans.

The reports noted that past-due loans, which are loans on which the borrower has made no payment between 30 and 89 days, rose 32.1 per cent at deposit-taking institutions as at the end of fiscal year ending March 2024, over the previous year ending March 2023.

Pointing to the various common forms of debt people carry, including credit card debt, student loans, consumer loans and mortgages, Mrs Miller advises that persons overwhelmed by debt should follow these five steps to help them regain control of their financial health.

1. Assess Your Current Debts – Before you can tackle debt, you need a clear picture of what you owe. Start by listing all debts, credit cards, personal and student loans, and any other loans, including any ad hoc or informal loans. It’s important to note the balance on each, interest rates, if applicable and minimum monthly payments for each debt.  The purpose is to get a good understanding of how much you owe.
2. Create a Repayment Plan – Understanding your debt landscape will enable you to take the next step, which is to develop a repayment plan. This involves deciding how much you can realistically pay toward your debt each month; the best way to achieve this figure is to create a budget. One popular debt management strategy is to allocate extra funds toward clearing the debt with the highest interest rate first (the “debt avalanche” method), or putting these extra funds towards clearing the smallest debt first (the “debt snowball” method). Both methods have their benefits: the avalanche method saves more on interest, while the snowball method can provide psychological wins by eliminating smaller debts quickly.
3. Negotiate with Creditors – If you’re struggling to keep up with payments, it’s worth reaching out to your creditors to negotiate better terms. Many lenders are open to offering reduced interest rates, extended repayment periods, or even settling for a lower amount than the original debt. This can make monthly payments more manageable and prevent accounts from going into default, a situation that would adversely affect your creditworthiness.
4. Consider Consolidating Your Loans – Consolidating your debts by rolling them into a single loan will simplify repayment and enable the debtor to gradually regain control of their finances and improve their financial well-being. Almost all deposit-taking institutions offer a consolidated loan. Shop around to identify the one that will provide you with the best terms and conditions.
5. Build an Emergency Fund – Be intentional about not getting into further debt.  Establishing an emergency fund can assist in this regard.  This will enable you to take care of some emergencies without the need for additional loans. 

Effectively managing debt takes discipline and grit but the benefits, such as preserving your creditworthiness, enjoying peace-of-mind, physical and psychological wellbeing, plus the prospect of financial security, make the sacrifice worthwhile. 

Manchester’s JN PEP Scholar, Tami-Ann Clarke, Sets Her Path

Twelve-year-old JN PEP Scholar for the parish of Manchester, Tami-Ann Clarke is a young girl with big dreams. The Manchester High School student is hoping to one day become a doctor so that she can care for those who are ill.

Already she is charting her path to attaining that career goal as she was recently selected as a JN Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Scholar after receiving a score of 384. 6 out of 400 in the PEP exams.

For Tami-Ann and her mother, Toyeisha Maxwell, the day the scholarship announcement arrived marked more than a milestone. It was a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and an unyielding bond.

Described by her mother as a vibrant and focused child, Tami-Ann recalled feeling both surprised and overjoyed when she got the news that she was selected as a JN PEP Scholar.

 “I felt really happy and shocked at the same time,” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. The scholarship has opened a door for her, easing the financial strain and bringing her closer to fulfilling her aspiration to become a doctor.

For as long as she can remember, academic excellence has been a priority. From the early days of infant school, where she often topped her class, to excelling in the PEP exam, her focus has been unwavering. Her favourite subject, mathematics, is not just an academic pursuit for her; it’s a passion she believes will help her navigate life.

“I love how math can be used in so many ways to help you,” she explained, her enthusiasm evident.

Behind her achievements stands her mother, a single parent whose dedication has been crucial to her daughter’s success. “From the moment I heard she was selected; I was filled with joy. God answered my prayer,” her mother said, her voice thick with pride and relief.

Raising a focused child has been both challenging and rewarding, Miss Maxwell shared. The mother-daughter duo faced the hurdles together, sometimes sacrificing leisure for study, yet never losing sight of what mattered most. Their Seventh-day Adventist faith became a cornerstone in their journey, guiding decisions about weekend study sessions and instilling a sense of purpose.

When asked about the qualities that have driven her daughter to excel, her mother shared, “Tami-Ann is very focused and intelligent. She can sit with her books for hours, studying without distraction.”

For her, this scholarship is a confirmation of the sacrifices made, the late-night study sessions, and the determination to give her daughter the best.

Notaly Powell, Grade 6 teacher at Christiana Leased Primary and Infant School, who Tami-Ann credits for her success, expressed that her former student’s achievement came as no surprise.

“Tami-Ann demonstrates a remarkable level of maturity and serves as a positive role model for her peers,” Miss Powell shared. “She is driven and knows exactly what she wants, always working diligently toward her goals. Beyond her academic strengths, she is also active in extracurricular activities, participating in sports and the Jamaica Moves club. Tami-Ann is truly an intrinsically motivated student.”

Tami-Ann is determined to inspire other students. “Stay focused and don’t pressure yourself too hard,” she advises other children. “Take breaks and remember to do your best without overwhelming yourself.”

As the family prepares for the exciting journey ahead, this scholarship is more than a financial boost; it’s a reminder of the strength in family, faith, and hard work.

A total of 47 scholarships were awarded by the JN Foundation. Of the amount, 37 were five-year awards: 14 parish scholarships; three JN Bank Easi-Save County scholarships; and 20 children of JN Group staff members who received the Building Excellence and Achieving More Success (BEAMS) scholarships. The remaining 10 awards were one-time grants presented by JN Money Services Limited to high-performing students who did not receive full scholarships.