Four students receive Teachers Credit Union grants scholarships
FOUR STUDENTS received seven year scholarships from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cooperative Credit Union (SVGTCCU), to begin their education at secondary school and continuing through to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. The awards were handed out to the children whose parents/ guardians are members of the credit union at a ceremony on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Kingstown headquarters of the SVGTCCU.
This year’s recipients are Caleb Garfield and Irvana Lewis, as well as Rhea Charles from the Barrouallie branch and Hadassah Ollivierre of the Bequia branch of the Credit Union. They were all successful students in this year’s Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). However, Garfield was abroad and so could not accept his award in person.The scholarships are valued at $1,600 while the students are in forms one to three, and goes to $1,800 when the student enters form 4 through to their final year at St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC). Each year, four students who were successful at the CPEA are awarded scholarships of which one is from the community served by the Barrouallie Branch and one from the community served by the Bequia Branch of the credit union.
In a heartfelt speech, Hadassah Ollivierre expressed gratitude to the SVGTCCU and the selection committee, emphasising the transformative power of education on the lives of students.
“These scholarships are not just financial assistance, but a beacon of hope and encouragement for us to pursue our dreams and achieve our educational goals.”
With the eyes of the Chief Education Officer, Kay Martin Jack; President of the SVGTCCU Board, Miriam Roache; Education Committee Member, La Tonya Grant; and Chairperson, Johnny P Straker, all fixed on her, the Lower Bay Primary School graduate congratulated all the other recipients and acknowledged that ,”this scholarship is not just a recognition of our past efforts but an investment in our future. Let us continue to strive for excellence and make the most of this opportunity to create a better future for ourselves and our communities”.
Continuing the theme of academic excellence, Latonia Prince, the 2018 Cecil Blazer Williams scholarship recipient, echoed the theme of empowerment and educational support. She expressed gratitude to the credit union for its commitment to education and encouraged the recipients to carry forward the “think it, believe it, live to achieve it” mantra, one which she said has been a guiding principle for her in reaching new heights and making a meaningful impact on the world.
“Allow yourself to envision the future you want and set goals that inspire and challenge you. Your thoughts shape your ambitions, and having a clear vision is the first step towards achieving greatness.”
Prince’s scholarship was originally for five years but was extended by the board for two years more years due to her academic excellence. Currently, she holds a 3.95 GPA at the SVGCC where she is pursuing an associate degree in Business Studies.
Prince encouraged the recipients to view the scholarships as not simply financial aid but as symbols of faith and belief in their potential to achieve great things.
“This scholarship programme has been very beneficial for me as it helped in providing many school essentials at the beginning of every term. It has not only supported my academic journey, but has also given me the need to strive forward and maintain excellent grades to ensure the continuation of my scholarship,” she noted.
In her address, President of the Board of Directors, Miriam Roache commended the recipients, underscoring the credit union’s unwavering support for their educational journeys and belief in their future success. She stressed the importance of embracing challenges, persevering, and getting involved in extracurricular activities during their secondary school journey.
“All communities thrive on education, and it warms my heart to see your bright faces in this room, our scholarship recipients who are about to step into the exciting world of secondary education. You have earned this opportunity, and it is my belief that you will make the most of it. As scholarship recipients, you carry a responsibility, a responsibility not only to yourself but also to your families, your communities, and our nation as a whole.”
Speaking specifically to the scholars, Roache advised them on the importance of gratitude to their teachers and parents, describing it as a “powerful force [that] fuels determination and… inspires kindness.”
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