Seventy-three academic awards with a total value of almost $20 million were presented to graduates of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC) on Tuesday, the most ever awarded in a single year.

The previous record was 61, the total number of scholarships, exhibitions and bursaries awarded in 2021.

Some of the Exhibition Scholarship winners with Minister of Education Curtis King (left) on Tuesday at the Victoria Park

“It is not that we have dropped the standards for the awards, they are the same like last year. And for those who like to bad mouth your performance and devalue it, facts don’t lie!” Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves declared on Tuesday as he addressed award winners at the National Schools Independence Rally at the Victoria Park.

The ceremony was held to recognize the winners of the 21 national scholarships, 18 exhibition awards and 34 bursaries awarded this year.

“I promise you, do well and we will find the money, “ he told the national scholars. “You have earned it and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines through the instrumentality of the Government, we are prepared to spend that kind of money on you.
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To qualify for a national scholarship, a student must be successful at three subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), in addition to Communication Studies, with an overall average of 80 per cent or more.

The equivalent criterion for the award of a national scholarship for a student enrolled in an associate degree programme is a GPA of 3.8 or greater. This year, one person met that benchmark.

The national scholars will each receive a fully funded five-year scholarship valued at approximately $600,000.

Each of the national scholarships has been named in memory of an outstanding deceased Vincentian.

The most outstanding student this year is Keonna Simon, the recipient of the Prime Minister’s award. In addition to her five-year scholarship, she will receive a trophy, a gold medal and $20,000.

Some of the winners of bursaries at the Victoria Park on Tuesday

Three students tied for second place and they will receive $10,000 in addition to their five-year scholarships. They are Augustus Gellizeau, who received the Hudson Tannis scholarship; Denisha Parsons, the George Hamilton Charles scholarship; and Jaynika Williams, the recipient of the Ivy Joshua scholarship.

The other national scholars for 2022 are: Taylor Oliver – Sir Frederick Ballantyne scholarship; Alec Best – Sir Charles Antrobus scholarship; Paige Cadogan – Sir David Jack scholarship; Rio Connell – Sir Joseph Lambert Eustace scholarship; Gariel Matthias – Sir Sydney Gun-Munro scholarship; Rayshaad Ambris – Sir Rupert John scholarship; Shaiyan Bowman – Festus Toney scholarship; Kristine Branch – Elma Francois scholarship; Danielson Ferguson – Walden Ryan scholarship; Phillip John – Hugh Drakes scholarship; O-Dya Glasgow – Nora Peacocke scholarship; Jalil Matthews – Cyril Roberts scholarship; Curticia Mattis – Cecelia King scholarship; Princess Neverson – Patrick Prescod scholarship; Kenesia Lavia – Earlene Horne scholarship; Kervin Rodney – Caspar London scholarship and Alan Gooding – Viola Crichton scholarship.

The 17 national exhibition winners are students who received averages of between 75 and 79 per cent.

Zowie Bullock, Tiffanie Chapman, Jirahmae Kennedy, Jerona Mapp, Tykel Pierre, Karla Roberts, J’yan Allen, Zaida Davis, Jonisha Forde, Myles Hamilton, Tamika Miguel, Bernique Haynes, Christopher Jacobs, Jonoliah John, Abigail Richards, Zalika Henry and Anjali John will receive fully funded three-year scholarships valued at $360,000 each.

The Esau Ballah Special Award will be given to Rakhi Glasgow who achieved an average of between 75 and 79 per cent, but did not qualify for a national exhibition because of her age.

Bursaries, valued at $25,000 for each of three years will be awarded to the 34 students who achieved averages of between 70 and 74 per cent.

These students are: Dellonté Boucher, Rhianna James, Shayniah Thomas, Chayil Cyrus, Keon-J Findlay, Joshua A. Joseph, Sharonel N. Samuel, Samelia Haywood, Susana Lavia-Daniels, Wendy-Ann Cato, Niesha Richards, Daycia Henry, Janessa James, Alexy Jordan, Donnetta Matthews, Renae Stephenson, Tawakie Richards, Soneilia Glasgow, Tefresha Turtin, Trisann Laborde, Makayla Harry, Patsy Babb, Shernelle Browne, Carla John, Shannette Laidlow-Morgan, Zonysha Mitchell, Dernessa Joslyn, Fiona Mc- Donald, Coleen Lanferman, Yakeellia Michael, Jehan Carr, Sheacoy Walters and Melissa Horne.

Hesther Clarke, a St. Lucian, has qualified for a bursary and will receive The George F.L. Charles award.

Tuesday’s event included cultural performances by students and also heard addresses from Minister of Education, Curtis King and Chief Education Officer, Kay Martin-Jack.