SCHOLARSHIPS TO GO FEATURE | THE GLEANER | THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025 19 IN 2012, Ashley Smikle, a past student of Immaculate Conception High School, received a life-changing call: she had been awarded the JEP Group Scholarship. That moment, filled with excitement and pride, marked the beginning of a journey that would transform her into a compassionate and accomplished paediatrician. “I was ecstatic knowing that I was being recognised in this way for my hard work,” Smikle recalled. While a government subsidy helped cover tuition, the additional costs of medical school, from textbooks to essential equipment, weighed heavily on her single mother. “The JEP Group Scholarship was pivotal in helping to offset some of this cost. It eased the burden on my mother as a single parent,” she explained. Beyond financial relief, the scholarship came with purpose. She discovered a passion for giving back through JEP’s summer jobs, health fairs, and Labour Day projects. “It shaped my outlook on social responsibility,” she shared. “I now make personal donations, volunteer my medical skills, and support various charitable groups.” Now a general paediatrician and honours graduate of the UWI Class of 2017, Smikle is focused on building a legacy rooted in compassion and mentorship. “I set high standards for myself, work hard daily to achieve them, and believe in continuing the chain of charitable deeds.” Her advice to current and future scholars is simple but profound: “Work hard, stay focused, be diligent, and be grateful for the opportunity given.” If she had to describe the JEP Group Scholarship in one word? “Empowering.” And through her journey, she is proving exactly why. JEP GROUP From scholar to healer How the JEP Group Scholarship shaped Ashley Smikle’s path WHEN NIGEL Blair stumbled upon a Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP) scholarship ad in the newspaper in 2010, he could not have imagined how that moment would shape his life. Then, a prospective student at the University of the West Indies, hoping to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance, Blair took a leap of faith and applied for the scholarship. “I was fully aware of the impact such an award could have on my education,” he shared. What followed was a series of determined follow-ups and a surprising twist. After being told he hadn’t been selected, Blair received a call the very next day. Impressed by his persistence, the managing director decided to award him the scholarship. “It was a testament to the power of perseverance,” he recalled. Coming from a modest, middle-income family, the scholarship provided vital financial relief. “It allowed my parents to shift their focus to my younger siblings while I gained the freedom to pursue my studies without the constant worry of tuition fees,” Blair explained. He balanced school with a campus job, determined to support himself. “That experience taught me self-sufficiency, resilience, and responsibility,” he said. The scholarship also granted him the flexibility to lead and grow, notably serving as president of the Young Investors Club and proposing internships for its top members. Since then, he has earned a Master’s in Corporate Finance, held leadership roles at National Commercial Bank, and now serves as credit solutions manager at Sagicor Bank. “I live by the mantra of working hard and smart. That mindset was honed during my scholarship years,” he said. To future JEP scholars, his message is clear: “Prioritise your academics, embrace mentorship, engage with your community, and above all, never underestimate what perseverance can unlock.” In one word, Balir describes the scholarship experience as “freedom”. Contributed JEP Group Scholarship Recipient, Nigel Blair. Perseverance, passion, and the power of a scholarship NIGEL BLAIR Contributed JEP Group Scholarship Recipient, Ashley Smikle.
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