Record 330 students awarded scholarships funded by Tryall Club
Published:Friday | August 9, 2024 | 12:11 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
With the 2024-2025 school year on the horizon, 330 high-school and tertiary students from Hanover should now be feeling a fair amount of comfort, having been the recipients of more than US$350,000 in scholarship support from the Hanover-based Tryall Club through its Tryall Fund.
According to Cristina Costantini, the newly elected president of the Tryall Fund, a reputable philanthropic charitable organisation, the total scholarship package for this year, which is the equivalent of J$54, 842,620.00, is the largest sum ever disbursed in its 14-year history.
“We have had the most students applying for scholarships this year. We had over 476 applicants, and we are giving to 330 applicants,” Costantini told The Gleaner. “This year is a record-breaking year for the fund. This is the most we have ever given out in any one year. We started with 17 applicants 14 years ago, in 2010, and now this amount.”
Emphasising that the financing of the fund is 100 per cent donor contributed, Costantini said the members of the Tryall Fund are committed to providing support to students in need and will continue to do so for as long as possible.
Kenton Jones, managing director of the Tryall Club, who spoke at the scholarship cheques handover ceremony, which took place at the hotel, described the number of students benefiting from this year’s scholarship grants as incredible.
“I just want to emphasise that today, as well as being an important day for the fund and the students, is also a very important day for the Club,” said Jones.
“We, the Tryall Club, have been in this community for nearly 70 years, and we have to remember that we are guests in this community. What we do for our host and what we contribute towards the area and our host defines the quality and the duration of our stay.”
According to Jones, it is important for investors in the tourism industry to recognise that the work the Tryall Fund does for Tryall and the community is very important as it marks a symbiotic relationship and a partnership among the Tryall Club, The Tryall Fund, and the community.
Kaycia Green, who spoke on behalf of the 76 high-school and sixth-form beneficiaries combined, described the scholarship support as a life-changing experience for all.
“I am beyond grateful for this scholarship as it has provided me with not just financial support, but also the confidence I needed to pursue a higher education, taking me one step closer to my dreams,” said Green.
According to Green, with the burden of tuition and other academic expenses covered, she and the other beneficiaries will now be able to focus more on their studies while exploring other available opportunities.
Rihanna Hall, who spoke on behalf of community college beneficiaries, described the support they have received as “a game changer”.
“The financial support being provided eases a lot of stress and allows us to focus on what matters,” said Hall. “The scholarships represent a symbol of encouragement that there are people who believe in our potential.”
Hall went on to encourage all the beneficiaries to work hard, stay determined, and to not underestimate the support being given by the Tryall Fund.