Let us go for excellence - Green

The Victoria Mutual (VM) Foundation, the corporate philanthropy arm of the Victoria Mutual Group, on Thursday, August 23, awarded 59 hard-working students from across the island with scholarships and grants, giving much-needed support to their academic goals.

The VM Foundation's 2018 Scholarship Awards Presentation Ceremony took place at The Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew under the theme 'Celebrating Excellence' and was a lively event that embodied the joy which the students felt in receiving the scholarships.

The foundation offered grants and scholarships to students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of school.

Brigette Levy, manager of the VM Foundation, said youth empowerment is a major part of the foundation's focus. "Watching young people excel in pursuit of their dreams is truly a great feeling," she said. Levy also challenged the students to make the most of the opportunity. "Awardees, there are many other students just like you who wish that they could receive the scholarships and bursaries that you are receiving today. Please don't take this lightly but, instead, take full advantage of this opportunity by working hard, staying focused and dedicated to your schoolwork."

Floyd Green, minister of state in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, was the keynote speaker at the event and he encouraged the students to be bold in pursuit of their dreams and to never become complacent. "Aim for excellence. We need to change the way that we speak. Let us not focus only on 'doing well'. Instead, let us go for excellence," he said.

The VM Foundation Scholarship Programme rewards scholastic achievement of VM Group student savers.

The programme presents several opportunities for students who save while they pursue their education, to qualify for scholarships, bursaries and grants.