By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter 
Education Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman (right) and managing director of Scotiabank Jamaica, William E. Clarke rap with Top Girl, Auvarhenne Howell from May Pen Primary and Top Boy, Dominic Moss from Sts. Peter and Paul Preparatory during Wednesday's staging of the Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation's luncheon for this year's GSAT recipients of scholarships for excellence. The function was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
MARJA REID wore a sparkling, red pants suit to collect her award.
She was among 14 other recipients who this year received the Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation's scholarships for excellence, based on need and her performance in the recently concluded Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
Sporting a new hairdo and clutching the award and a red bag to match her outfit, the Flankers Primary student gave The Gleaner a shy smile before consenting to be interviewed on Wednesday.
The smile soon widened to a grin as the 12-year-old St. James resident whispered that the suit had been a present from an aunt overseas, sent to Jamaica just for this occasion.
It had made her feel "extra special", the same way she now felt at being selected as one of the scholarship awardees, she said.
"When I first found out, I was just shocked. I just jumped to the ceiling. I almost fainted," she remembered. "I made everyone proud. My family, my school," gushed the ice cream lover, who said she delved into Buckingham ice cream and went to Baskin Robbins to celebrate passing GSAT, getting into Montego May High school and getting the scholarship.
"I was so happy," she added, the grin stretching.
A few seats away was Teletha Woodhouse, who was also basking in her triumph at getting funding to attend Alpha Academy.
Flanked by her parents in the packed Montego Suite at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, the Bull Bay All Age student revealed that she had travelled from Bull Bay in St. Thomas for the ceremony.
Her face glowing, Teletha related this was a heart warming moment for her because "(during GSAT), I was a bit nervous and I was crying at first and then I focused and later I found out I had passed. I couldn't believe it. I was saying , 'you're joking! You're joking and my mom bought a newspaper and I saw that I passed and now the scholarship. Thank God. I'm blessed!" she said.
Beside her, beaming proudly, was Teletha's father, Trevor Woodhouse.
"I feel proud to know she really pass her exam," the fisherman and artist, told The Gleaner. "I give thanks because Scotiabank is really helping us out. Is a blessing in disguise. Without them (Scotia), it would really be difficult 'cause is six of them mi have in high school," said Mr. Woodhouse, who sported dreadlocks and the red, green and gold of the Rastafarian movement.
Twelve-year-old Locksly "Jeff" Wallace from Whitemarl Primary and Junior High in St. Catherine was a little quiet but that did not stop him from sharing his joy at being selected to be among the 15 new and 37 returning scholarship awardees. "I feel very glad because KC (Kingston College) was my first choice. I studied hard and I made sure I have everything I need. I put my head to my books and made sure I go over my notes every night. My sister said, 'Jeff you got a scholarship and I said, 'really?' and she said, 'yes' and I laughed and jumped," he reminisced, finally cracking a smile.
The 15 scholarship awardees, among them Top Boy, Dominic Moss and Top Girl, Auvarhenne Howell, will receive more than $3 million to cover tuition, books, uniforms among other things. The other new awardees are: annual county awardees, Delroy Noble (Cornwall) who leaves Grange Hill Primary for Mannings High, Shantel Sherman (Middlesex), who moves from Eltham Park primary to Ardenne High, Monique Thomas (Surrey) from St. Richard's Primary to Campion College.
Scotiabank scholarships also went to Michael Ellis, who leaves Central Branch Primary for St. George's College, Jodie-Ann Green, Seaview Gardens Pirmary to St. Andrew High, Kayton Johnson, Irwin Hill All Age to Anchovy High.
Sycaro Reece, from St. Peter Claver Primary to Campion College, Latoya Roberts from St. John's Primary to St. Jago High, Shanique Singh from Cockburn Garden Primary and Junior High to Ardenne High and Leon Small from August Town Primary to Wolmer's Boys.
