Young scholar praises GECCU for continued support

Akayla Crichton, the General Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU) 2016 top scholar has praised the financial institution for recognizing and awarding her and the other scholarship and bursary recipients.

On Wednesday, Crichton, 11 other scholarship beneficiaries and some 150 receivers of bursaries congregated at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown for the 14th annual GECCU Scholarship awards ceremony, which was held under the theme ‘Success through Perseverance’.{{more}}

Addressing the packed hall in the scholars’ response, Crichton said that all the recipients were grateful, as they know that they were not entitled, nor was GECCU obligated to give them anything.

She said that over the last 35 years, GECCU has invested over EC$2 million dollars in education and assisted over 200 young scholars.

“Now more than ever, when many institutions are reducing their spending, I and the other recipients are proud and grateful to have our achievements recognized and to have our ambitions assisted,” said Crichton.

“We, the recipients of the 2016 scholarships, are grateful for this gesture. It is said that education, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men; however, this equalizer has not always been affordable. While the situation is improving, some families are still struggling to educate their children…Thanks for investing in us,” she added.

The young scholar, who placed third for girls and eighth overall in the recently concluded Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), stressed that it has always been her dream to attend the leading secondary institution for girls, the Girls’ High School (GHS).

“It’s not like I had a choice. I had to keep up the tradition. The dream was realized when I placed third for girls and eighth overall in the recently concluded CPEA.

“Upon entering grade six, I became aware of the many scholarships that were available to the top CPEA students. It was then that I decided I was going to be a GECCU scholarship holder.

“I realized at an early age that perseverance and hard work bring success. I put my dream into motion and dedicated my time to my school work and learnt how to manage my time: some for playing, some for swimming, some time for girly stuff and lots of time for studying.

“My aim is not simply to succeed, but excel in everything and in every position I am placed. I am aware that hard work and perseverance is necessary for us to succeed and to excel we must be given the tools.

“Our credit union GECCU, being aware of this fact, has decided to assist our parents in providing those tools to facilitate our continued success,” said Crichton.

Also speaking at the ceremony was chair of GECCU’s scholarship committee Dr Mineva Glasgow, president of GECCU Kelvin Pompey, senior education officer for primary schools in the Ministry of Education Yvette Antoine and a 2001 GECCU scholar Chelcia Ferdinand.

Glasgow stressed that every year, they award exceptional young students who have performed well in the CPEA, while the scholarship recipients are chosen from among the most outstanding students with ties to GECCU. She noted that 10 from the mainland and two from the Grenadines are rewarded.

The other recipients from the mainland this year are Davanah Yearwood, Leah DaSilva, Rodele Tucker, Laurenike Snagg, Aturo Parsons, Kaje Jack, Solomon Bascombe, Kwesi James and Kasim Mckie, while the two from the Grenadines are Ashara Adams and Nefertiti Nero.(LC)