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US Foundation awards $180,000 JA in Academic Scholarships to students in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – US based Caribbean Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF) awarded the Vernice Stubbs Higher Education Sustaining Scholarship to four brilliant and ambitious students who are matriculating at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and University of Technology (UTECH) in Jamaica. The scholarships total $180,000 Jamaican dollars.

Vernice Stubbs Higher Education Sustaining Scholarships are awarded to qualified and talented university and technical students enrolled full-time and pursuing a first undergraduate degree, but who could be in danger of withdrawal due to lack of financial resources.

The 2008 Vernice Stubbs Higher Education Sustaining Scholarship will pay scholars’ boarding fees for the remaining academic year.

The Spring 2008 Scholarship recipients are:

KEVIN ANTONEY BROWN – University of Technology

SHAWNA-KAY RACQUEL McLARTY – University of the West Indies

MICHAEL VERNON HAYNES – University of Technology

MELISSA CHENOWETH ANDERSON – University of the West Indies

The Caribbean Education Foundation was asked the reason boarding scholarships are important, and CEO, Nikiki Bogle replied, “Scholarship recipient, Kevin Brown explains the fundamental reasons in his scholarship essay.” Kevin wrote “…by securing funding for accommodation fees, I do not have to travel through my volatile home community to get to school daily. By residing on campus, I will not have to worry about being prevented from traveling to classes by violence in the community. This not only ensures unimpeded access to education, but significantly mitigates the stress that arises from worrying about whether or not I will arrive to school safely in the mornings or arrive home safely in the evenings.”


Nikki Bogle

According to Ms. Bogle, “Some of our students face critical safety concerns daily and many students are simply unable to attend classes regularly due to a lack of transportation fares to get to campus. However, for some students, such as Kevin Brown, it is a combination of both dismal circumstances. Campus boarding fees range from 45,000 to $51,000 per semester and if the family’s paycheck is $5,000 per month, our students cannot do their best for a myriad of reasons. CEF is very pleased our scholarships are able to aid bright students to remain safely on campus to successfully complete their education.”

The Caribbean Education Foundation scholarship recipients satisfied the Vernice Stubbs Higher Education Sustaining Scholarship strict requirements: high academics (at least a 3.0 grade point average), evidence of financial need; resides in urban or rural depressed community; exhibit leadership qualities/community service and solid production prescribed essay.

KEVIN BROWN is obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technology, specializing in Enterprise Computing at the University of Technology. Prior to UTech, Kevin was a top student at Wolmer’s Boys’ School and a Prefect and Head Boy. He was successful in 8 CXCs and a member of the Schools Challenge Quiz Team for two years.

Kevin has received many awards and scholarships too numerous to detail. He received the 10th highest grade in the world for Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing at Cambridge GCE A’ Level in 2004. He achieved the 2nd best CXC Exam results at Wolmer’s Boys’ School in 2002. Kevin was nominated for the Prime Minister Youth Award for Excellence in the field of Academics in 2004. In 2005, he was listed in The Gleaner’s Annual “Top of the Class” publication as one of the top 100 students in Jamaica.

In addition to his studies, Kevin was President for the UTech Association of Student Computer Engineers for two terms; Student Representative for the School of Computing and IT; Member of Leadership Committee and is a Student Leader Mentor in UTech-EHF High School Mentorship Program. In 2007, he was awarded Student Representative of the year by UTech Students’ Union.

SHAWNA-KAY McLARTY is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication with a minor in Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies. Prior to UWI, she was on the Principal’s Honour Roll and graduated with Upper Second Class Honours. Shawna-Kay was successful in 7 CXCs and continued to 6th Form and achieved 3 CAPE subjects. At UWI, she is Block Representative and a Volunteer at the Office of Special Students Services. She was the Vice President of Tri Star Youth Club. She has maintained a 3.5 grade point average at UWI, which will allow her to graduate with First Class Honours.

MICHAEL HAYNES is an undergraduate majoring in Industrial Technology in the field of Mechanical Technology at the University of Technology. Michael was successful in 6 CXCs and 6 CAPE subjects. In addition to maintaining a high grade point average of over 3.0, Michael has received his Certification in Community Service; awarded a 2nd Place Medal for 4H Quiz Club and is an athlete in a number of sports including track and field and football.

MELISSA ANDERSON is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Medicine and Surgery at the University of the West Indies. Melissa was successful in 8 CXCs, including Chemistry and Physics and 5 CAPE subjects. In addition to maintaining in excess of a 3.0 grade point average, she is a UWI Peer Support Provider, UWI – UCAM Treasurer and Responder in the UWI Student Emergency Response Team.

Indeed, as is evidenced from the caliber of students who were awarded scholarships, the Caribbean Education Foundation standards are high. “Our difficulty was not in locating bright scholars who desperately need aid, instead, the challenge was in choosing which students to award scholarships from limited resources,” explains Ms. Bogle. “We wish CEF could have helped many more students who applied. We have no doubt that CEF will accomplish those goals in the future.”

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