Scholarship launched in memory of late medical doctor

The family of the late Dr Vary Jones-Leslie, obstetrician and gynaecologist, in conjunction with the Excelsior High School Past Students Association is ensuring that her name will have a lasting legacy through the establishment of a scholarship at her alma mater.

Established to assist students who are highly driven to succeed, but lack the financial resources, eligibility for this scholarship, means that students have to attain a minimum high school Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.4 and must be able to maintain this GPA throughout their tenure at Excelsior. Additionally, the students must show leadership skills, be involved in voluntary projects and be active in extra-curricular activities, all of which will serve them well moving on to their tertiary level education.

The inaugural scholarship was presented to two deserving students - Jonah Dewdney and Damanish Williams at a service held in the Excelsior Auditorium recently.

In presenting the cash scholarships of $50,000, Jones-Leslie's sister, Winsome Jureidini and brother-in-law Michael said Vary's mantra was always "education is the best investment one can make, as once obtained, it cannot be taken from you and you are at liberty to choose anywhere in the world to live."

The annual award for the scholarship will be disbursed by the school's accounts department for books, uniforms, lunch and related school expenses.

Overwhelmed

The Jureidin is said they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for this gesture to honour the name of Vary and wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone. "This just underscores the love and respect that Vary had among her peers, family and friends," said the Jureidinis.

Dr Jones-Leslie who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Cayman Islands in July 2017, was a retired medical consultant in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at the Spanish Town Hospital after working with the institution for almost 24 years.

According to the medical community her tremendous sense of duty to public service and her outstanding contribution to health care is one for many generations to follow.