Two more students receive scholarships from the NKSF (+Video)

Young scholars, T’Shana Patterson and Khazwin Holder are this year’s recipients of full seven-year scholarships from the Norma Keizer Scholarship Foundation (NKSF).

The two students received their scholarships this week at a small ceremony held at SEARCHLIGHT’s conference room, in the presence of family members.

“Both our scholarship winners this morning are very brilliant young people. People who know them from primary schools have given them very high recommendations and we expect them to do very well when they go into secondary school,” Clare Keizer, a member of the NKSF Board said.

Keizer noted that this is the seventh year that the foundation has awarded scholarships to financially disadvantaged students who have excelled at the CPEA examinations.

She encouraged this year’s recipients to make great use of the opportunity, which is made possible through the generous donations of many people and organisations who are interested in the development of young Vincentians.

The NKSF Board member expressed gratitude to the Foundation’s donors, noting that “we wouldn’t be able to do this without their assistance”.

Dr Adrian Fraser, chair of the NKSF Board urged both scholarship recipients to put their best efforts forward as they take the next steps in their academic journeys.

He said the foundation has “a long tradition of students who have had these scholarships…and they have done quite well so we expect the same from you”.

2022 NKSF Scholarship recipient T’Shana Patterson accepting her award from Dr Adrian Fraser. Her aunt Pretrulia Holder (centre) was also present

“So go in and put everything into it knowing that there’s a lot of stake….We’ve reached the stage where we are going to have to take some positions where if students fail, so make sure that you are on top of things and you know, we will encourage you in any way we can…and any problems feel free to contact us and we’ll try to assist in any way,” Fraser said.

Patterson, one of the 2022 NKSF scholarship recipients expressed appreciation for the award, adding that “you don’t know how far this is going to take me”.

“I promise to keep my head up but I’m going to work hard to be successful; I’m going to pass all my exams,” the former pupil of the Gomea Methodist School said.

Parent, Rachael Holder also expressed gratitude on behalf of her son, Khazwin, a former pupil of the Questelles Government School.

“When I heard about the scholarship, I was excited … because I knew I needed help and I didn’t really know what to turn to. This is the first time we will receive a scholarship from anywhere and I would like to say how grateful I am for the institution to lend their support to my son and I hope he do well in his work and I will continue to encourage him to do his best in whatever he achieves in life,” she said.

Rachael Holder (centre) with her son, Khazwin Holder (left) as he accepts the 2022 scholarship award from NKSF chair, Dr Adrian Fraser (right).

Patterson will begin the new academic year at the Girls’ High School and Holder will attend the St Vincent Grammar School.