Scholarships To Go 2019

24 THE GLEANER | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 Kingston, Jamaica: F IRST HERITAGE Co-operativeCredit Union (FHC) offers a variety of scholarshipopportunities geared towards assisting students at each level of education. Included in the listing for tertiary level education is the Oswald Thorbourne Scholarship, which is available tomembers and their children who are involved in community initiatives. The 2018 recipient of this scholarship is Sashara Eccleston, a second-year law student at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, who delights in giving back to her community. She firmly believes that she embodies academic excellence and noted that she does her best to encourage others to do the same. Currently the vice-president of the Tower Honour Society and UWI STAT’s vice-president of volunteerism and programming, she was recently awarded at The UWI Students’ Award Ceremony for having the fifth-highest GPA in the Faculty of Law. When asked how she heard about the scholarship, she stated that it was her mother who referred her. “My mother has been a long-standing member of the First HeritageCo-operativeCredit Union, andononeof her visits to thecredit union, shewas informedof thescholarship and subsequently encouragedme toapply,”Eccleston said. Grateful for the opportunity to show her full potential, Eccleston radiated positivity as she spoke about her current educational journey. “Thescholarshiphasbenefitedmegreatlyasithasnotonly providedmewith the confidence that I have the support of the First Heritage family, whobelieves I amaworthy invest- ment, but furthermore, I do not have worry about how to financemydegree, thus I can focusonacademicexcellence.” As she looks forward, Eccleston is confident that the next five years will see her not only practising in her chosen field of law but actively giving back to her community. Contributed 2018 FHC scholarship recipient, Sashara Eccleston receiving her award fromO’Neil W. Grant, Chairman – FHC Foundation & 1st Vice Chairman, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited. ‘FOCUS ON DOING WELL ACADEMICALLY’ TESTIMONIALS FIRST HERITAGE Co-operative Credit Union (FHC) firmly believes in investing in the youth of Jamaica, whether through education or overall community involvement. One of their outlets is the annual disbursement of scholarships to students at varying levels of educa- tion. Included in the listing for tertiary level education is the Renald Mason Scholarship, which is available to members and their children who are involved in community initiatives. The 2018 recipient of this scholarship, Zidane Salmon, is an avid football player and intuitive individual. Salmon expressed that for years, he consistently worked hard to keep his grades up, ensuring that he could qualify for scholarships, but for some reason, was not able to attain one. He stated that he continued to press on despite the discouraging statements and situations around him. “I learned about the scholarship from one of my coaches, Ms Gibson. She actually gave me the appli- cation form and said, ‘Nothing tried, nothing done’,” Salmon said. Salmon recounted his life’s experiences using football analogies and expressed that life changed for him after he received the scholarship. As he put it, “The game is hardest when you don’t have support, and as an orphan, it brought me great joy knowing I can count on FHC.” Looking ahead, Salmon is eager to make big moves in life not only for himself but also in a bid to make a big impact on the lives of others. He said:“In the next five years, I see myself in the big leagues, reading for my PhDwhile I practise as a speech pathologist and a motivational speaker… addressing large groups of students, sharing my story and reassur- ing them that they, too, can come off the bench; they can get a shot at their goals, but only if they want it.” Motivated, Salmon is adamant that other students with financial constraints need not be defined or hin- dered by them. “My advice to students with financial constraints is to never give up, be innovative and work hard. I tried for scholarships every year from fourth form in high school, and I never gave up. Don’t wait onmanna to fall from the skies. Trust God, and He will not hesitate in making your path straight.” ‘Nothing tried, nothing done’ 2018 FHC scholarship recipient, Zidane Salmon receiving his award from O’Neil W. Grant, Chairman – FHC Foundation & 1st Vice Chairman, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited. First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Ltd THE GLEANER’S SCHOLARSHIPS TO GO | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 Oswald Thorbourne Scholarship recipient encourages others to make themselves competitive Renald Mason Scholarship recipient encourages others to invest in themselves On August 1, 2012, Churches Co-operative Credit Union and GSB Co-operative Credit Union merged to form the new entity First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited (FHC). On March 1, 2015, the business and operations of St Thomas Co-operative Credit Union Limited were transferred to FHC. With a combined heritage of over 100 years, FHC now stands as one of the largest open-bond credit unions in Jamaica.