Patrick Hylton (centre), group managing director of National Commercial Bank (NCB), and Thalia Lyn (second left), chairman of the NCB Foundation board, with the foundation's scholarship awardees Junior Wray Smith (left), Shernett Lecky (second right) and Renée Earle. Lecky and Earle received the Top Current Award along with $25,000 cash award, respectively. The Top Graduate award went to Smith, who also received a cash award valued at $10,000. - Contributed

Nothing like seeing old friends.On Thursday, May 15, over 100 scholarship recipients from the University of the West Indies, University of Technology and Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMC) gathered for a reunion at the NCB Foundation Scholarship reunion and awards at the Courtleigh Auditorium.

"The foundation has touched the lives of many since 2004, and this reunion is our way to reach out to you and to acknowledge the successful journey you have had so far," stated Sheree Martin, CEO of the NCB Foundation.

Over the last four years, the foundation has given $99 million in scholarships and grants to more than 50,000 students at the tertiary, secondary and primary level.

Philanthropic arm of the bank

The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the bank and was established more than 10 years ago. Denville Davis, a recipient who was pleased with the event, said, "It is good in terms of forming a special bond with the recipients, and that the foundation is willing to keep in touch with us."

The event was punctuated with entertainment from special guest performer Etana. Students from the EMC, Amardo Blake and Mark Bradford, performed a musical interlude and dance students performed a piece entitled 'The I Am' .

MC Empress engaged the audience throughout the proceedings, and Yendi Phillipps, Miss Jamaica World 2007, was on hand as the guest presenter to the special awardees.