Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Carifta Games Under-17 triple jump champion Yushani Durrant and Alecia Cutenar yesterday received Lucozade Sports scholarships to study at the University of Technology (UTech).
Durrant and Cutenar, both students who left Mount Alvernia High with seven CXC passes each, were granted scholarships valued at $1 million each.
Durrant, who was third in the triple jump at July's CAC Junior Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, is studying medical technology while Cutenar, a second-place finisher in the Class Two 100m at last year's Champs, is studying food service management.
Durrant was overwhelmed: "I am feeling extremely happy," said Durrant, who jumped 11.67m for her Carifta title.
"I am speechless, I don't even have words to explain. In terms of track and field and academics, this contribution will go a far way," Durrant added.
Cutenar, a former deputy head girl at Mount Alvernia, said without this contribution she might not have got the opportunity to further her studies.
thank God
"I am feeling very blessed," a happy Cutenar, said. "Definitely, my parents could not afford to send me to university, so I thank God for the talent I have because without that, I could not get the scholarship," said the 2005 Champs Class Two bronze medallist.
The students were selected based on their scholastic and athletic performances during the 2005/06 academic year. They were both presented with $250,000 each for the 2006/07 academic year.
Anthony Davis, director of sports at UTech, said this contribution can only help in developing better Jamaicans.
"With this support we intend not only to produce world- class athletes, but world-class student athletes."
GlaxoSmithKline's Caribbean Marketing Manager Robeth Streete said it's a very special occasion for her company to present scholarships to the athletes.
She also said the recipients should have included a male, but none qualified.
"Lucozade Sports also has full confidence in the sports programme offered at UTech, which has trained a number of world-class athletes," she said.
"We want to ensure that Alecia and Yushanni can improve their sporting performance as well as improve their chance for great careers of their choice."
