Wray & Nephew rewards 185 tenacious scholars

They are all from different backgrounds and have unique stories to tell, but what the 185 recipients of the 2018 J Wray and Nephew Foundation Scholarships share is the tenacity to produce excellent results despite tough circumstances.

That was the sentiment of Clement Lawrence, chairman of the foundation, who indicated that there was a significant increase in the uptake of scholarships this year when compared to last year. For him, this signals the need for organisations to continue to play their part to assist young people in whatever way they can.

"Whether driven by the desire to attend their school of choice or to gain entry into a tertiary institution, ultimately to realise their professional dream, each awardee today had to work hard to get here," he said.

"We hold firm in our belief that our investment will also serve to shape and empower Jamaica's future leaders and ultimately contribute to national growth. The hard work put in by our scholarship recipients, oftentimes in less than ideal situations, was evidenced in the quality of the applications."

Stories of triumph

In giving the judges' report, Alphie Mullings Aiken said the applicants came from communities such as Waterhouse and Seaview Gardens in Kingston, Gimmie-Me-Bit and Race Course in Clarendon, among others. She said the judges were captivated by persons' will to succeed, despite trying circumstances.

"We were blown away by the stories of triumph and unbelievable struggles. Sitting in and hearing the different challenges our youth face today, I am so happy that we were a part of that process to help bridge that gap and make their dreams continue," she said.

"One of our candidates was faced with a tough decision - do I work and bring in money for my family, or do I pursue my education? It was tough when her employer gave her the ultimatum, but she found a way to do both. Others continue to show tenacity and grit, and continue to fight for their lives, families and country."