Scholarship to go 2021

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 14 W ITHEDUCATIONas aprimary area of focus, the Sagicor Foundation continues to positively impact the lives of young Jamaicans by contributing to their development. Investing millions through its scholarship programme annually, the foundation continues to empower and hone the skills of Jamaica’s future professionals, taking them one step closer to achieving their dreams. The foundation awards the nation’s top students with renewable scholarships to support their dreams annually. At the secondary level, scholarships valued at $50,000 are awarded to children of Sagicor clients and teammembers who perform well in the national Primary Exit Profile examination to matriculate to secondary school. These scholarships are valid for up to five years and are renewable once students maintain an average of 80 per cent or higher. Renewable scholarships valued at up to $300,000 are also provided to students at the tertiary level who are enrolled at: The University of theWest Indies, University of Technology, The Mico University College, Northern Caribbean University, Caribbean Maritime University, and Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Tertiary students are selected based on academic performance, community involvement, volunteerism, strong leadership potential and a demonstration of financial need. The criteria for the scholarship renewal are to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 and complete 40 hours of voluntary service with the Sagicor Foundation. Sagicor Foundation empowers future leaders through scholarships Christopher Zacca (left), president and CEO, Sagicor Group Jamaica, is captured in photo with Giovanni Barnes, a Sagicor Foundation Secondary Scholarship recipient, at the 2017 scholarship awards ceremony. F OR KADIJAH Ricketts, a tertiary- level education was a goal that would not have be immediately attainable out of high school, given her family’s financial challenges. But despite the odds, this Clarendon College alumna is now on track to achieving her lifelong professional goal of becoming an economist and financial analyst. Noting that her parents always experienced difficulties covering her educational expenses, Ricketts said she applied to various scholarships to help offset the burden on the family as she was determined to succeed despite the challenges. She was the recipient of Sagicor Foundation Tertiary Scholarship in 2017 and was able to successfully complete her three-year degree programme at The University of the West Indies, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics, with first-class honours. THANKFUL “I remain deeply thankful to the Sagicor Foundation for giving me the opportunity to obtain my first degree. Without their benevolence, I would not have been able to cover my tertiary expenses without the stress of securing the funds being on my parents. This caused me to focus on my schooling and also allowed me to explore personal interests,” Ricketts said. Ricketts lauded the foundation’s scholarship programme as one which helped her to grow and maintain a level of excellence throughout her educational career. On a path to actualising her dream, the determined young woman is now a working member of society and is looking to acquire a postgraduate degree soon. She wholeheartedly embodies the scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, and continues to selflessly serve and inspire everyone she interacts with. The Sagicor Foundation tertiary scholarship finances the education of tertiary students for up to four years of their tertiary studies once the students maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 and complete voluntary service with the organisation. CONTRIBUTED Kadijah Ricketts, past Sagicor Foundation scholar. SAGICOR FOUNDATION Succeeding despite the odds – Kadijah Ricketts THE GLEANER’S SCHOLARSHIPS TO GO