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Photo Caption: Claudine Allen (left), general manager of the JN Foundation presents Zhane’ Harrison with a certificate at the at the 40^th JN Scholarship Awards ceremony held at the Summit (formerly Knutsford Court Hotel) in New Kingston in November.

One may be surprised to know that Zhane’ Harrison, the 2023 JN Foundation Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Scholarship recipient for Manchester, is no bookworm. Although the 12-year-old performs well academically, her passion lies in drawing, writing poetry and playing video games. And, the mathematics ‘whiz kid’ also believes in balancing her studies with lots of fun time.

“A lot of children would go to extra lessons as part of their preparation for the PEP exams. I signed her up, but she didn’t go and was not interested in that. She studies on her own. I was worried because I was not seeing her study, but she would often go to her room and lock away,” her mother, Janice Ann-Marie Clarke, explained.

Ms Clarke, however, took comfort in the knowledge that her daughter was a consistent high achiever and had been excelling in her studies since kindergarten.  So confident was she in her ability that when her cousin, who resides overseas, encouraged her to apply for the JN Foundation PEP scholarship, she applied before even receiving the results of the exams.

When the results arrived, as predicted, Zhane’ had done exceptionally well, scoring 351 overall in the exams and securing a spot at the first school of her choice, Manchester High School.

Spilling a little about her secret to success, Zhane’ explained that she relied on a lot of practice papers to help prepare her for the exams, along with educational videos to help with her studying.

“Sometimes I watched videos on the topics that we were studying, and that helped a lot in my preparation,” said the young freestyle artist.

The former head girl at El Instituto de Mandevilla, a preparatory school, said that she was pleasantly surprised when her mother told her she was awarded the JN PEP Scholarship for the parish of Manchester. She was one of 37 students awarded the five-year prize for 2023 at the 40^th JN Scholarship Awards ceremony held at the Summit (formerly Knutsford Court Hotel) in New Kingston in November.

Zhane’ expressed gratitude for the scholarship, which she said would assist financially. “I’m grateful for the scholarship. It was a big surprise, and I am happy to receive it,” she said.

An aspiring paediatrician, Zhane’s goal is to help heal children when she grows older. Her desire was inspired by her own doctor. “She (Zhane’s doctor) works really well with children, and she inspires me to really want to become a doctor as well,” she said.

The secret to success is the ability to balance, the soft-spoken cat lover believes, and her advice to other students is to strive towards achieving parity between one’s academics and personal passions. “Do not overwork yourself and pace yourself,” she advised.

Her mother also has some advice for parents. She underscores the importance of supporting children on their educational journeys, relying on her own experience with her only child to bring home the point.

“I just made sure she goes to school. If she is absent from school due to illness, I would get the work and have her do it. I made sure she was up to date and had the necessary resources. I must give God thanks,” she said with gratitude.

She continued: “Be there for them. Just support them. Don’t be too anxious about the exams. Ensure that they also get time for themselves to relax. They can’t be in the book 24/7,” she said.

Despite being a single mother, Ms Clarke informed that Zhane’ has a village supporting her, which includes her extended family members who are always there to encourage her.

Kezia Fullerton, a sixth-grade teacher at El Instituto de Mandevilla, who taught Zhane’ in grades five and six, said that she was one of her best students.

“She was very studious, thorough, and quiet. She is a very good leader, and she was particularly strong in mathematics and language arts,” she said as she noted that she was not surprised at her performance in the PEP exams.

Photo Caption: Darcy Tulloch-Williams (second right), executive director of Mustard Seed Communities Jamaica expressed delight at receiving diapers and milk products from team members of the JN Foundation team, Candice Nichols (second left), social Impact assessment officer and Omar Wright (left), lead, environment, and community development programmes. Sharing in the moment is Ezlyn McKenzie, administrator of My Father’s Place, one of 13 homes in the Mustard Seed Communities. The presentation took place at My Father’s Place on Mahoe Drive in St Andrew.

Six entities within the Mustard Seeds Communities were beneficiaries of the JN Foundation’s Comfort for Christmas initiative, organised to provide diapers, wipes, and nutritional products to the more than 200 residents of the homes situated across the country.

The gesture was welcomed by Mustard Seed, as a vast majority of its residents, which comprise babies to adults neglected or afflicted with ailments, such as disabilities and HIV, rely on the items to support their daily hygiene and nutrition.   

Darcy Tulloch-Williams, executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities, said 95 per cent of the residents, wear diapers, and many rely on the milk products donated, as they are unable to swallow or digest solid foods.

“We are very grateful for this donation because sometimes we are in very short supply of diapers. So, we have to always have the diapers available for them,” she said pointing to the long-standing relationship Mustard Seed has had with The Jamaica National Group. She noted that initiatives spearheaded by the Group through the JN Foundation over the past few years, have been instrumental in providing for its most vulnerable across Jamaica.

“I am overwhelmed by the commitment of the JN Foundation. Every year, they come, and they have supplies of the things that we need. In 2021, they also hosted an online Christmas concert where the donations from the concert were contributed to the operations of our homes,” she informed. 

“They are an excellent corporate entity. I want to thank them very much. It has been a fruitful and respectful relationship, and we continue to look forward to more in the future,” she said.

Mustard Seed Communities are home to some 458 vulnerable persons in 13 residences across Jamaica. Besides neglected children and young adults with disabilities, its dwellings are also home to several teen mothers, who are welcomed along with their babies.

Jerusalem, one of the 13 residences in the Mustard Seed Communities, located in Spanish Town, St Catherine, was among the six homes to benefit from the JN Foundation’s initiative.

Ann-Marie Adams, assistant administrator at Jerusalem, received the supplies with delight from a JN Foundation team who visited the home on December 18.

“We thank JN for always thinking about us and partnering with us,” she remarked.

Jerusalem is home to 116 residents, comprising children and adults ages 10 to 54-years-old. Most residents are affected with ailments such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

Candice Nichols, social impact and assessment officer at the JN Foundation, explained that the items for donation were determined after consulting with Mustard Seed Communities about its needs.

“Diapers, feeding tubes, and liquid nutritional beverages emerged as high-priority necessities. Responding dynamically, we fulfilled this request,” she said.

Through the ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative, the JN Foundation rallied JN employees across the JN Group to contribute either cash or diapers towards the supplies. The initiative was further bolstered by the JN Group employee giving programme, ‘Funds to Fuel a Nation’, which facilitates year-round contributions from employees to providing a continuous means of support for charity initiatives.

Miss Nichols pointed out that the initiative is a natural gesture for The Jamaica National Group, as the organisation is committed to enriching the lives of Jamaicans wherever they are.

“The alignment between our objectives and Mustard Seed Communities’ dedicated efforts to serving the most vulnerable members of our society, is unmistakable. This shared commitment propels our ongoing support for their impactful work,” she remarked.

Persons or organisations that wish to contribute to the work of the Mustard Seed Communities can contact the organisation at 876-923-6488 or email info-jamaica@mustardseed.com

“We are always in need of food, toiletries and we always welcome anything anyone would like to contribute,” Mrs Tulloch-Williams appealed.

Photo Caption: Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation presents the 2023 top PEP applicant from Portland, Avianna Stephens, with a certificate during the JN Foundation’s PEP Scholarship Awards held at the Summit in New Kingston on November 12.

Many people who are artistically inclined often find solace in creating art to express their emotions. For Avianna Stephens, past student of Fruitful Vale Primary School and 2023 JN Scholar for the parish of Portland, it’s simply “relaxing.”

Avianna already has a collection of paintings and drawings which she completed with the support of family members who provided her with the tools she needed to explore her interest. Although she has kept them confined to the walls of her home, she said creating art helps her to decompress from school life.

“I just like to do it and I love learning how to create new designs,” the quiet and reserved teen shared.

Avianna’s PEP score of 317.6 landed her a place at Titchfield High School in Portland. It was her school of choice, as she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her parents who also attended the institution. This achievement presented her the opportunity for a 5-year scholarship from the JN Foundation, for which she is grateful.

“I’m just really happy I was selected to be one of this year’s recipients,” she said while noting that she had expected to do well in her exams, as she had put in the work and was usually among the top performers at school.

“I was always getting the highest grade in primary school, so I was not really surprised,” she said.

Avianna’s mother, Monique Davidson, said she was overjoyed at her daughter’s results, as she had been helping her to prepare for the exam since grade four. She also expressed gratitude to the JN Foundation for the scholarship, which she said is testament to her daughter’s work ethic.

“Getting the scholarship is really something that I wanted for my daughter, so she could see for herself that she has done well,” said Ms Davidson, a baker who runs her own business.

“To her the exam was no big deal and when I asked her how it was, she just said it was OK. She didn’t seem worried or excited. I cried when I found out that she got the highest PEP score in the school,” her mom recalled.

Avianna’s performance also made her father, Delon Stephens, proud. Mr Stephens, a library assistant, transports his daughter to and from school daily.

“It’s a great feeling to know she achieved all that and I expected her to do well in the exams. She’s always serious about school and I will continue to encourage her to do her best,” he said.

Even Avianna’s aunt, Aakiela Gordon, is beaming with pride. Ms Gordon, who played a major part in her exam preparations, noted that: “I am extremely proud of her. She is different, she is a good child and I love her as my own.”

Although Avianna projects an introverted personality, she maintains a strong interest in social activities. Besides her love for art, she is also passionate about reading and has a keen interest in history. She loves it so much, she’s been pushing her parents to visit more heritage sites across the country. One of the sites that Avianna has already ticked off her list is the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, St James.

“She’ll inquire about my weekend plans then ask if we can visit a particular place that she would have seen or heard about somewhere. She has been doing her own research on different places to learn about their significance and what life was possibly like at these places years ago,” her mom explained.

Her strengths also go beyond the humanities. Her mother said financial independence is also important to Avianna who is a habitual saver. She informed that she brings home large portions of her lunch allowance and keeps a record of the unused funds.

“I’m happy with the way that she is, she’s very respectable and she’s humble. Sometimes our family may run into difficulty and can’t get what we want or need but she’s very understanding where that is concerned,” Ms Davidson added.

A big sister to two younger siblings, Avianna admitted that she has tried to influence them to get involved in her hobbies but conceded that “they have their own thing.”

While she’s undecided about what career path she’d like to pursue in the future, she said she is actively considering art-related fields, including graphic design.

But whatever Avianna decides, Ms Davidson said, she will be able to count on the support of her family. She is looking forward to what Avianna will accomplish as she gets settled in high school and explores the options available to her.

Photo Caption: JN PEP Scholarship recipients take a group photo after the awards ceremony at The Summit in Kingston on Sunday, November 12.

In recognition of 40 years of providing students and families with financial support for academic achievement, the JN Foundation and JN Money presented 47 scholarships and grants to students who excelled in the 2023 Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

The awards presentation took place on Sunday, November 11 at The Summit in Kingston. Seventeen five-year parish and county scholarships, and 10 grants by JN Money were presented to students across the country, while 20 five-year scholarships were also awarded to children of employees of The Jamaica National Group.

Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said that this year’s awards is special, given that it’s the organisation’s 40^th year of awarding academic achievement of the nation’s children.

“Such a longstanding tradition of supporting education and investing in the future of deserving young people is a testament to the values and commitment of The Jamaica National Group,” she said.

“We’ve not just given scholarships; we’ve invested in the potential of young minds. We’ve recognised the talents, ambitions, and dreams of countless individuals, and we’ve helped them take the first steps towards a better future,” she said.

Miss Allen noted that since 1983, The Jamaica National Group has been supporting the educational pursuits of hundreds of young people at both secondary and tertiary levels, many of whom have gone on to make their mark in society.

One such recipient is Dr Danielle Twiddle, who received a scholarship while attending Immaculate High School. She said the scholarship was helpful.

“It didn’t only help me monetarily but allowed my parents to have less on their plate to be able to help me, but I also met a few friends at the scholarship ceremony who I’m still in touch with today,” she said.

She noted that aside from the scholarship, The Jamaica National Group also provided other opportunities such as summer employment where she worked in the marketing department, which she said provided learning opportunities.

“It’s an honor being a recipient because it was a great assistance to me, and I had a standard to uphold academically. I would say work hard, have fun during your journey and never forget that no man is an island,” she said, encouraging the new recipients.

This year’s awards function was held under the theme ‘Pursuing Excellence, Honouring Purpose’ and theguest speaker will be Tishauna Mullings, development practitioner, social entrepreneur and Chevening scholar.

Over the past 40 years, The Jamaica National Group has provided financial support for other educational initiatives, such as The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee competition and invested millions in the educational transformation initiative, Centres of Excellence and iLead programmes- both targeted at improving leadership in rural-based underperforming schools.

Since 2001, the organisation has maintained a financial literacy programme, JN Bank Easi Save, at the basic, primary, and secondary levels, to foster sound money management practices among children.

Photo Caption: Ronaldhino McLean (second from right), Head Boy of Campion College, presents Claudine Allen (third from left), general manager, JN Foundation with the book he co-authored, ‘What Makes Children Fly?’ during a courtesy call by the Jamaican Association for Debating and Empowerment (JADE) on the JN Foundation at the JN Corporate Office in September. Ronaldhino was a member of the team coached by JADE that won the Rollins College Great Debate in the United States in October 2022. Also sharing in the exchange were (from left) Chevanese Peters, programme coordinator, JN Foundation; Shanna Kaye Wright Vaughn, youth and education programmes lead, JN Foundation; and Germaine Barrett, founder and executive director of JADE

Most people hear of debates during elections or while pursuing academic disciplines such as law. But imagine having your first debate while still in primary school? That was the situation for Ronaldhino McLean who got his first taste of the art at age eight while in grade three, competing against older children in grade six.

“I had to be standing on chairs so I could be at the height of the lectern in front of me,” shared Ronaldhino who is arguably now hooked to the activity, with years of experience and accolades to his name.

Ronaldhino, the current Head Boy of Campion College, and a member of the Jamaican Association for Debating and Empowerment (JADE) Secondary Level Gold Club, was part of the debating team, coached by JADE, which won the Rollins College Great Debate in the United States in October 2022. It was his second international tournament, but his skills and contribution silenced a room that was earlier booing him and his peers. The Rollins College Great Debate is a prestigious debating competition that facilitates international exchanges with debating societies from around the world.

Ronaldhino said to prepare for that competition the team had to conduct extensive research on topics that didn’t necessarily concern them, such as US politics, US social issues, ethics, philosophy and abortion. He said that made winning more rewarding. “We had to look at different perspectives and views and that’s part of what you get and learn from debating,” he said while reflecting on the experience.

The Head Boy believes his debating and public speaking skills were enhanced by the many arguments and discussions shared with friends and family members over the years. He said his passion for the activity also extends beyond school because when he’s not debating, he’s at home watching debates on YouTube.

Ronaldhino said he is encouraging more students to explore debating, especially as JADE pushes to entrench the activity in local school curricula. For Ronaldhino, debating is tied to who we are as a people and not only targeted to the ‘most-abled’ students. He said while the activity isn’t for everyone, it encourages participants to critically think and apply knowledge and understanding to issues under pressure.

“I really wish we could break away from the notion that debating is just this activity that intellectuals do. It’s something we engage in everyday and we use it in all facets of our lives. We debate with our parents and friends all the time. We debate in music,” he reasoned.

During National Debaters Week 2023, Ronaldhino assumed the role of convenor for the Zone A debates held at his school and even without his participation, Campion’s Debating Society, of which he’s also the president, emerged on top. Ronaldhino said the club currently has between 50 and 60 active members and hopes it will be a model for other schools and communities looking to get more young people interested in the activity.

“Debating can be fun, debating can teach, it can help with socialising and conflict resolution, but students will have to engage with the opportunities that exist. I’m encouraging students to join their debating societies and push their faculty supervisors to get their schools signed up for competitions. Let’s work together to make debating as widely recognised as any other sport in our schools,” he urged.

Now in his final year of high school, Ronaldhino hopes to study political science and economics at University. Besides his debating fame, he’s also the published co-author of the book titled, ‘What Makes Children Fly?’. The book, launched in 2021, was written in collaboration with childcare expert, Karlene Rickard, for use as a learning and development tool for children, their parents, teachers, and mentors.

In September, he presented a copy of the book to Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation at the JN Group Corporate Office in New Kingston. The exchange formed part of JADE’s courtesy call on the JN Foundation, which had sponsored their trip to the Rollins College Debate in 2022.

“There is no doubt that debating is an impactful tool in and out of the classroom and we at the JN Foundation are pleased to support the work of JADE in creating more opportunities for our students to build on their critical thinking and public speaking skills,” an impressed Ms Allen remarked as she accepted the book. “Debating really prepares you for life.”

Photo Caption: Tishauna Mullings (left) development practitioner, social innovator and entrepreneur who operates NexxStepp Personal Development Services and Inspirational Products, interacts with Demorah Robinson, JN Scholar, during the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship Awards ceremony where she addressed the JN Scholars under the theme “Pursuing Excellence, Honouring Purpose.”  The event was held at the Summit on November 12, in recognition of Youth Month.  Thirty-seven students who performed outstandingly in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams, were awarded five-year scholarships by the JN Foundation and an additional 10 students were offered grants by JN Money, a member company of The Jamaica National Group. 

Nearly 50 JN Scholars were inspired by Chevening Scholar and life coach, Tishauna Mullings, to reach for the highest peak in their educational endeavours. She encouraged them to do so while underscoring the potential of each student.

Ms Mullings was the guest speaker at the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship Awards ceremony where she addressed the JN Scholars under the theme “Pursuing Excellence, Honouring Purpose.”  The event was held at the Summit on November 12, in recognition of Youth Month.

“Excellence is pursuing the highest standard. Always strive for a higher version of yourself.  There is that seed of greatness inside every person.,” said Ms Mullings, who is also a development practitioner and entrepreneur who operates NexxStepp Personal Development Services and Inspirational Products.

“You are living in an age where you have a lot of resources. Continuously seek personal growth. There are people who are willing to mentor you and guide you,” she advised.

Thirty-seven recipients, who performed outstandingly in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams, were awarded five-year scholarships by the JN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Jamaica National Group. Of the awardees, one is from each parish and county while 20 are children of employees of The Jamaica National Group. An additional 10 students were offered grants by JN Money, a member company of The Jamaica National Group.  The occasion marked the 40th year of the scholarship awards.

Referencing her own academic journey, Ms Mullings encouraged the young JN Scholars to not only  strive for academic excellence but  to also embrace a deeper sense of purpose to propel themselves forward.

Using ‘eagle’ and ‘purpose’ to form acrostics, Ms Mullings crafted an inspirational narrative, weaving in the wisdom of pursuing excellence, possessing ambition, embracing growth, accepting leadership opportunities, and being empowered into the acrostic, ‘eagle.’  She further spurred the scholars to be passionate about what they undertake, embrace their uniqueness, to be resilient, prioritise goals that align with their purpose, be optimistic, be of service and empowered.

“Think about where you want to be ultimately and how what you are doing now will contribute that. Maintain a positive outlook and be of service. Make sure you give back and serve others around you. See how you can help with something.”

“Make sure you are well rounded.  Set goals that align with your purpose,” she said.

Ms Mullings received the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Jamaica 55 for commendable work in Youth Service in 2017 and the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in 2015. She was also a Young Achiever recipient of the Gordon “Butch” Stewart Community Award in 2014, and in 2016, served as a delegate for Barak Obama’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative. She is also an alum of the JN Foundation’s Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) where she received support in 2018 to develop her enterprise, NexxStepp Personal Development Services and Inspirational Products.

Since the inception of the JN Scholarship Programme in 1983, hundreds of students, have benefitted from financial assistance to pursue their secondary education. This year, 370 scholarship applications were received.

As part of the eligibility for the scholarship, the child or parent is required to be a member, customer, or client of The Jamaica National Group for at least a year, while JN Group employees, whose children achieved a placement score of 288 or more, were invited to apply for the scholarship.

This year’s scholarship awardees are in addition to approximately 130 JN Scholars, who are at various stages in their five-year secondary scholarship award, and who have had their scholarship renewed for the new school year.

Photo Caption: JN PEP Scholarship recipients take a group photo after the awards ceremony at The Summit in Kingston on Sunday, November 12.

Twelve-year-old Mykah Roberts, a first form student at Clarendon College, strutted proudly to the podium as he collected his scholarship award. He was among 37 students who have been named JN Scholars.

He and the 36 other young high achievers were handed their awards by the JN Foundation for their outstanding performances in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) for 2023 on Sunday, November 12, at the Summit, formerly the Knutsford Court Hotel, in New Kingston.

“I’m so happy to be awarded this scholarship. It was hard work preparing for the exams, but the learning was fun,” the aspiring zoologist said. 

Tishauna Mullings, a development practitioner, and social entrepreneur was the guest speaker at the function and told the scholars that there is a seed of greatness in each of them. She also advised them of the ‘Eagle antidotes’, or ways of pursuing excellence and honouring their purpose.

“Scholars, I want you to strive for excellence,” she said. The next letter in this antidote is ambition; think about where you want to be ultimately, and what you are doing now will contribute to that.”

The other areas she mentioned include growth, assuming leadership roles, prioritizing their goals and empowering themselves.

Held under the theme ‘Pursuing Excellence, Honouring Purpose’, Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation, urged the recipients to pursue their dreams.

“Remember that you have a unique opportunity to pursue your dreams and reach your full potential. Use this opportunity wisely, stay focused, and continue to excel in your academic and personal endeavours. Embrace the challenges and opportunities that come your way, for they will help you grow and develop into a stronger, more confident individual,” he charged.

Mr Lyew-Ayee disclosed that since 1983, The Jamaica National Group has been supporting the educational pursuits of hundreds of young people at both the secondary and tertiary levels.

“This year’s reception is extra special as we are celebrating 40 years since establishing this scholarship programme. Imagine four decades of changing lives and four generations of hope for a brighter future. It’s a momentous occasion that speaks volumes about our dedication to education and empowerment,” he said.

Mr Lyew-Ayee informed that The Jamaica National Group’s commitment to education has gone beyond monetary assistance.

“It’s about nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, individuals who will shape our world with their knowledge, skills, and vision. As we celebrate 40 years, we take pride in being a part of this journey,” he said.

Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, disclosed that the scholarship selection was very competitive, with close to 400 applications received islandwide.

“Each of you has demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and passion, and it is with pleasure that we acknowledge your hard work,” she said.

A total of 37 students received five-year scholarships, while 10 students received one-time grants. Of the 37, three are for the top performing applicants from each county and 14 are for the top performing applicants from each parish. The remaining 20 were awarded to children of employees of The Jamaica National Group.

Over the past 40 years, The Jamaica National Group has provided financial support for other educational and youth development initiatives, such as child month initiatives undertaken by the National Child Month Committee and the Ministry of Education and Youth’s National Youth month activities.

The JN Foundation has also invested millions in educational transformation initiatives such as the Centres of Excellence and iLead programmes- both targeted at improving leadership in rural-based underperforming schools.

Photo Caption: Claudine Allen (third right in back row), general manager of the JN Foundation and Parris Lyew-Ayee (second right in back row), chairman of the JN Foundation take a group photo with the 2022 JN Foundation PEP Scholarship recipients at last’s year’s ceremony.

For the past 40 years, the JN Group has been assisting students and families with financial support for academic achievement. Spearheaded by their philanthropic arm, the JN Foundation, the Group will be presenting 47 scholarships and grants to students who excelled in the 2023 Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

The awards presentation will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2023. A total of 37 students will receive five-year scholarships while 10 students will receive one-time grants. Of the 37, three are for the top performing applicants from each county and 14 are for the top performing applicants from each parish. The remaining 20 will be awarded to children of employees of The Jamaica National Group.

Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said that this year’s awards will be special, given that it’s the organisation’s 40^th year of awarding academic achievement of the nation’s children.

“Such a longstanding tradition of supporting education and investing in the future of deserving young people is a testament to the values and commitment of The Jamaica National Group,” she said.

“We’ve not just given scholarships; we’ve invested in the potential of young minds. We’ve recognised the talents, ambitions, and dreams of countless individuals, and we’ve helped them take the first steps towards a better future,” she said.

Miss Allen noted that since 1983, The Jamaica National Group has been supporting the educational pursuits of hundreds of young people at both secondary and tertiary levels, many of whom have gone on to make their mark in society.

One such recipient is Dr Danielle Twiddle, who received a scholarship while attending Immaculate High School from 2008 to 2012. She said the scholarship was very helpful.

“It didn’t only help me monetarily but allowed my parents to have less on their plate to be able to help me, but I also met a few friends at the scholarship ceremony who I’m still in touch with today,” she said.

She noted that aside from the scholarship, The Jamaica National Group also provided other opportunities such as summer employment where she worked in the marketing department, which she said provided learning opportunities.

“It’s an honor being a recipient because it was a great assistance to me, and I had a standard to uphold academically. To the new JN Scholars, I would say work hard, have fun during your journey and never forget that no man is an island,” she said.

This year’s awards function will be held under the theme ‘Pursuing Excellence, Honouring Purpose’ and theguest speaker will be Tishauna Mullings, development practitioner, social entrepreneur and Chevening scholar.

Over the past 40 years, The Jamaica National Group has provided financial support for other educational and youth development initiatives, such as: The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee competition; child month initiatives undertaken by the National Child Month Committee;the Ministry of Education and Youth’s National Youth month activities.

The JN Foundation has also invested millions in the educational transformation initiatives such as the Centres of Excellence and iLead programmes- both targeted at improving leadership in rural-based underperforming schools.

Since 2001, the organisation has maintained a financial literacy programme, JN School Savers Programme, at the basic, primary, and secondary levels, to foster sound money management practices among children and since 2013 launched the JN Wise Aspiring Youth Programme, JN WAY, which promotes financial literacy and personal development skills for tertiary students and young adults.

Photo Caption: Shanna Kaye Wright Vaughn, youth and education programmes lead at the JN Foundation

Although it’s advisable for young adults to avoid debt, Shanna Kaye Wright Vaughn, youth and education programmes lead at the JN Foundation, said if they must borrow, they should be smart and intentional about how they borrow. She gave the advice recently in observation of ‘Get Smart About Credit Day’.

‘Get Smart About Credit Day’, observed on October 19, is an initiative adopted from the American Bankers’ Association (ABA) Foundation.

Mrs Wright Vaughn says when borrowing, young people must exercise caution and be very vigilant about managing debt. She noted that a properly managed loan can actually provide opportunities to improve one’s financial future.

“You can use credit to improve several areas of your life,” she said while noting that there are several loan options targeting different people.

She said young people should try to avoid taking on multiple loans as this may damage their financial situation, rather than help it. She also cautioned against using certain loans for lifestyle situations like parties, which provide no long-term financial benefit.

“We want young adults to think about their long-term goals, such as becoming a homeowner. It’s probably not wise for you to take out a loan to attend a party at this time, unless you can definitely afford to or if you are also saving which we also do encourage, because saving can be a backbone for your loan engagement and your loan conversations,” she said.

Mrs Wright Vaughn said one of the most important things people should consider when seeking a loan is what they have to lose, in the event they cannot repay. “As young people, sometimes we don’t have the assets, or security to back up a loan, and so an unsecured loan may be the better option. A lot of facilities will encourage unsecured loans to young people because they are easier to access,” she said.

She also recommended that people prepare a budget before taking on any loan, as they can negatively affect credit worthiness if they go “bad.”

While the concept of credit scores is still relatively new in Jamaica, it’s not novel and a bad credit score can impact an individual’s borrowing power and future business with other organisations. There are currently three credit bureaus in Jamaica and Jamaicans can access one free credit report each year.

“You can’t be earning, for argument’s sake, J$100,000 monthly and you’re paying back J$60,000 for one particular loan, while also having other things like a student loan or other family members to take care of,” she stressed.

She also urged people to not shy away from asking the ‘hard and fast’ questions before making a decision on any loan facility.

“It doesn’t matter if it seems like a weird question or a hard question. You may want to ask about interest rates if you’re not a numbers person, and you also want to look at the penalties for late or even early payments,” she noted.

The JN Foundation youth and education programmes lead said research is important, particularly for first time loan applicants. This, she said, will ensure people don’t find themselves paying more than they should, advising that it’s good to shop around. She said it’s also wise to read the fine print before signing a document.  

“You’ll want to ensure that there’s no penalty that’s going to affect any other areas of your life. Ensure that when you’re signing a particular document, it’s not saying that in the event something happens to you, there’s no insurance. All of these things must be a part of the conversation that you are having,” she warned.

‘Get Smart About Credit Day’ is celebrated on the third Thursday in October each year in the United States. The annual initiative by the ABA Foundation is aimed at pushing conversations and tips to guide youth towards better credit and savings habits. The day falls in line with the work of the JN Foundation, which has also been providing information, training, and mentorship to youth to help them make better financial decisions.

Thirty-five Jamaican schools and sporting associations were the recipients of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) courtesy of Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB), a US-based non-profit organisation formed by a group of Jamaicans living in the United States.

The presentations were made to the institutions recently at a handover ceremony at the University of Technology, Jamaica in Papine, St Andrew.

Irwine Clare, founder of Team Jamaica Bickle, said, while making the presentations to the schools, that Jamaican athletes have represented the country at the highest level and should be supported.

“Our athletes have demonstrated to us their professionalism and discipline towards their craft. Therefore, as supporters of what they do, we have to step up our game. So, every year, we raise the bar,” he said of Team Jamaica Bickle.

“It is important that we invest in our youth, especially in sports, as one of the avenues for a youngster to self-actualise, because when we provide opportunities like that, it means they are steered away from other situations,” he pointed out as he reenforced his commitment to supporting student athletes.

Keith Wellington, president of Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), in expressing gratitude on behalf of the institutions, cautioned the schools not to keep the machines locked away, but that they should be kept close by during play in case of emergencies.

“On behalf of ISSA and all our schools, I want to say thank you to Team Jamaica Bickle and all its partners, including [The] Jamaica National Group, and all alumni associations and members of the diaspora who have made this effort to make this contribution,” he said.

Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, also expressed gratitude to Team Jamaica Bickle for supporting physical education in schools.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the commendable effort put forth to support physical education and sports. Today, we gather to express our gratitude and appreciation to Team Jamaica Bickle for their invaluable contributions to our educational institutions,” she said.

Omar Wright, lead, Environment and Community Development Programmes at the JN Foundation, said that the Jamaica National Group was happy to partner with Team Jamaica Bickle.

“Jamaica National is committed to the wellbeing of our nation’s children and our athletes who represent us on the world stage. We recognise the importance of investing in the safety and health of our children, and through this partnership, we signal our commitment to corporate social responsibility by creating places and environments where our youth can be safe,” he said.

The Team Jamaica Bickle Defibrillator in Schools programme began in 2014 after the loss of St Jago High School student Cavahn McKenzie during a cross-country meet in Tobago. It spurred the entity into action as it realised that there was a need to have emergency resources readily available to schools, especially at sporting events.

Since 2014, the organisation has donated more than 100 AED units in schools and trained over 400 members of staff.