By Francine Black, Staff ReporterA FEW DAYS before the scheduled start of the new school term, more than 100 needy students across the island have received scholarships to assist with defraying expenses for the school year.
The scholarship programme is administered by the Ministry of National Security and sponsored by Supreme Ventures.
Speaking at yesterday's award ceremony, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, noted that the recipients, while striving for excellence academically, should also encourage their community members to be law-abiding
citizens.
"We are hoping that beyond just the contribution you will become, if I may put it this way, evangelists for a better way of life in your community," he said.
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Supreme Ventures established the $10 million 'inner-city youth' scholarship fund with the Ministry of National Security in 2003. Through the facility over 100 teenagers are given assistance to complete their studies at various levels of the education system. The programme is part of the Government's move to decrease crime and violence among this group by helping them to access an education.
One recipient of the scholarship, Kenisha Pryce, a student at Clan Carthy High School, was so elated about receiving the scholarship, she wrote to Supreme Ventures Limited expressing her gratitude and pledged to make the company and Security Ministry proud by doing well this school year.
Supreme Ventures presented 111 students between ages 12-18 years old with scholarships valued at $30,000 each. The total amount of money disbursed was $3.2 million.
The recipients were chosen after a careful application and selection process executed by the Ministry of National Security. Approximately 105 students benefited from the programme last year and more are expected to benefit in the coming year.
