Scholarships To Go 2019

8 THE GLEANER | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 TESTIMONIALS “F OR LONGER than I can remem- ber, I have had my eyes set on entering the field of medicine. Despite consistently working hard to get the necessary grades, in my last year of high school, the harsh reality set in that my dreammay never become a reality due to financial constraints. This was a huge blow because in addition to loving the field, I knew I could make a really good impact on the lives of many through my desired career as a clinical pharmacist.When I got the acceptance letter fromThe University of theWest Indies, I was beyond elated. It was at that moment I knew that I could not accept defeat and allow financial difficul- ties to keep me frommy dream. With the fire of determination burning inmy heart, I deferredmy acceptance to the next year and set out on a mission to seek financial assistance. I still vividly remember the day I re- ceived the email from the NCB Foundation asking for my documents and informing me that I had been granted an interview. I was over the moon with joy because it felt like an avenue had finally opened on my journey to financial assistance. After an extremely fun but nerve-wracking pro- cess, I was awarded an NCB Foundation Scholarship as national champion. Words can’t adequately describe how it felt to know that I was finally able to achieve a goal that had slowly started to feel like a pipe dream before the scholarship. It’s safe to say the NCB Foundation changed my life. Had it not been for them, another capable young mind may have gone to waste because without their assistance, I don’t think I would have been able to attend university at all. The foundation has given me the opportunity to better not only my life but the lives of others because I have so many ideas about how I am going to use my career to play my part in bettering this country. I implore all young persons who want to attend university but who are facing a situation similar to the one I was in to apply for the NCB Foundation Scholarship. You may see the number of persons that apply each year and be disheartened, but cast those doubts aside and apply anyway because it could change your life. I never thought I would get the scholarship, even after I passed through the interview round and was invited to the hotel for the compe- titions, but look at me now, currently enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy de- gree programme, all thanks to the NCB Foundation believing in me. – Judy-Ann Chung, 2018 NCB Foundation national champion Judy-Ann Chung achieving her medical dream Judy-Ann Chung (left), 2018 NCB Foundation national champion, with Nadeen Matthews Blair, CEO, NCB Foundation. Natalia Wilson is ‘beyond grateful’ BEING SELECTED as one of three national champions in the 2018 NCB Foundation Scholarships and Grants Programme has been a tremendous honour. I am beyond grateful that the NCB Foundation decided to invest in my future by funding my pursuit of a Bachelor of Sciences degree, with a major in economics, at The University of the West Indies. This scholarship has undoubtedly changed my life by giving me the opportunity to equip myself with the skills necessary to start a career in the field of economics and to make a wholesome contribution to Jamaica. Furthermore, being awarded was one of the most monumental moments of my life because it indi- cated that my commitment to academic excellence and my spirit for volunteerism had not gone unnoticed. The NCB Foundation Scholarships and Grants Programme has been enhancing the lives of students islandwide by transforming thousands of dreams into reality, including mine. Therefore, I am urging students in Jamaica who are dedicated to their academic studies and who possess a zeal for philanthropy to remove all traces of self-doubt from their minds and apply to the NCB Foundation Scholarships and Grants Programme today. – Natalia Wilson, national champion 2018 Natalia Wilson (left), 2018 NCB Foundation national champion, with Nadeen Matthews Blair, CEO, NCB Foundation. NCB Foundation THE GLEANER’S SCHOLARSHIPS TO GO | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019