Three sisters, three national scholars

Rounding out this year of National scholarship awards, is Jay-Anna Edwards who not only was granted a national scholarship for five years, but also captured one of four prestigious Prime Minister’s awards which is granted to the top performer for each year. Jayanna comes from a rich heritage of academic excellence, and the tale is told of the three sisters who each had a child who was granted a scholarship.

Out of the village of Diamonds, the story is told of a mother, Lena Nedd, who left St. Vincent in the 1980s for Curacao to make life better for her children. She left behind her seven children (four boys and three girls) in the care of their father, Wilfred Fergus. Her mother Emelda Nedd, also played an instrumental role in the children’s upkeep. Lena worked tirelessly to ensure that her children had a sound education. In the 1990s, things took an unfortunate turn for the family when they lost their mother while they were still quite young. Nevertheless, the children remembered their mother’s sole mantra that ,“Education is the way out of poverty”.

Today, a legacy has been created as Lena has left behind three grandchildren, from her three daughters (Varita, Gail, and Keruna), who have each been able to cop one of the national scholarship awards in their respective years.

The first of the national scholars was Dr Varona Glen, daughter of Varita James of South Rivers. Varona was the top female performer, and national scholarship recipient for the year 2004. She is currently a holder of a BSc Management (accounting) with honours UWI 2008, MSc Finance with distinction for the Manchester Business School, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Walden University. Dr. Glen currently resides in the United States where she is a certified public accountant. The second national scholar was Dr. O’mark Andrews, who is the son of the second daughter, Gail Andrews-Walker. O’mark was able to capture a national scholarship award in 2012, and pursued medicine at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, graduating with an MBBS (Distinction). He currently is employed as a medical doctor in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Jay-Anna is the daughter of the youngest of the three sisters, Keruna Andrews. Jay-Anna’s quest for academic excellence has allowed her to excel in her exams, as she

was able to achieve 13 Grade ones and 1 Grade two in the 2022 CSEC examinations, and later in her CAPE exams where she obtained all Grade 1s in both units of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science, and a Grade 2 for Communication studies. Just by looking at this feat, it can be said that Lena has left behind a blessing for her children and grandchildren. The remaining children of the three daughters have also excelled in respective fields. This holds true for her sons Desmond, Elroy, Curwin, and Geoffrey, and their children who have also excelled academically in varying fields in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To God be the glory, great things he has done!

(Submitted by O’Mark Andrews)