Mon | Sep 16, 2024

Tasharah Chambers elated at receiving Vinnette Stewart Education Grant

Published:Monday | September 9, 2024 | 12:07 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer -
Dena Stewart (left), niece of Vinnette Stewart, joins in a photo with Tasharah Chambers, student of Montego Bay Community College, beneficiary of the East Central St James Scholarship Fund and recipient of the 2024 Vinnette Stewart Grant, who collected her
Ashley Anguin/Photographer
Dena Stewart (left), niece of Vinnette Stewart, joins in a photo with Tasharah Chambers, student of Montego Bay Community College, beneficiary of the East Central St James Scholarship Fund and recipient of the 2024 Vinnette Stewart Grant, who collected her award from Edmund Bartlett, member of parliament for East Central St James and founder of the scholarship fund programme, during the programme’s 27th staging at the Iberostar Hotel in Rose Hall, St James, on August 25.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Tasharah Chambers is a woman of few words, but her dedication to her home community, Barrett Town, St James, has not gone unnoticed, resulting in her being awarded the prestigious Vinnette Stewart Education Grant to assist with her studies.

Chambers, 17, was one of 50 tertiary-education students who received scholarship awards during the recent East Central St James Scholarship and Welfare Fund’s 27th annual awards ceremony. She is currently pursuing an associate degree in hospitality and tourism management at the Montego Bay Community College.

“I am really happy. I am very grateful that I was chosen to receive a scholarship from the East Central St James Welfare Fund, and I really hope that this will help me to continue my career path,” said Chambers. “I was just in shock, and I could not believe it when I got this scholarship because I did not even know before that I would have got the scholarship.”

Each year, the Vinnette Stewart Education Grant, which is valued at $100,000, is awarded to one student who hails from Barrett Town and has given distinguished service in community involvement. This is in keeping with the legacy of Stewart, a former St James East Central constituency secretary, who was a community activist until her death in 2017.

The grant’s recipient must also have at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) in academics. This requirement is also expected of other scholarship and grant recipients under the East Central St James Education Awards programme, which was initiated by the constituency’s member of parliament, Edmund Bartlett.

Chambers, a recent graduate of Irwin High School, also in St James, said her community involvement has been limited to summer work at the local John Rollins Success Primary School. However, she plans to expand her future community outreach through back-to-school assistance and helping needy families.

“Recently, I was helping out John Rollins Success Primary School for the summer, and I, basicall,y worked in the office and did some filing. I am not really active in my area, but I am planning to help the community and do work there in the future,” said Chambers. “Maybe next year I could help out with back-to-school efforts or help families who cannot afford to buy groceries.”

Chambers noted that her dream of working in the tourism sector stems from her desire to learn about different cultures.

“I would say I really love interacting with persons, especially in the tourism industry. I really like to interact with different cultures and also to help with serving people and to have fun doing so,” said Chambers.

christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com