Two students have gained scholarships from the Foundation School Old Scholars Scholarship Fund (FSOSSF) on Friday, as former students continued their decade-long investment in their successors.
Nikhyl Burnett and Makiah Gaillard were the recipients of the scholarships, which were presented during Foundation Week at the school’s hall.
FSOSSF chairperson Laura-Lynn Lawrence said the fund has invested approximately $210 000 in education over the past 10 years and awarded 24 scholarships to date.
With this year’s two awards, the number of scholarships presented by the fund rises to 26, with total disbursements reaching $231 000.
Lawrence said: “This scholarship is more than financial assistance. It is a message to all students that we see you. We recognise your hard work, and we believe in your potential.”
She explained that the support was intended to ease some of the financial pressures students could face while pursuing their education, while also encouraging recipients to eventually give back to the school.
“We hope that this support will ease some financial pressures that can sometimes stand between a young person and their dreams.
But most importantly, we hope it inspires our awardees to continue striving for excellence and one day to give back to the school.”
The FSOSSF was established in August 2014 and registered as a charity under the Charities Act in February 2015. It assists Christ Church Foundation School students pursuing studies at the University of the West Indies in Science, Technology and Accounting for three years, as well as students pursuing the fouryear degree programme in Nursing at Barbados Community College.
Recipients must demonstrate academic excellence, contribute to school life and have financial need. Continued funding is dependent on students maintaining an acceptable grade point average.
Principal Shawn Forde told students the scholarships represented the commitment of former students to the school and its current pupils linking it to the celebration of Foundation Week.
Principal of Christ Church Foundation School Shawn Forde (LE)
“This week represents the tremendous dedication, effort, consistency, and resilience of the old scholars of this school and you, the present,” he said.
Forde said the scholarship programme provided more than a one-time contribution, with recipients eligible for continued support as long as they maintained their grades.
“Not only a one-time support, the support is each and every year once they continue to keep their grades up.”
He encouraged students to recognise the value of earning such opportunities through their own efforts.
“When you are getting something that you have worked hard for, you can push up your chest and say, ‘Yes, that is all me.’”
Former scholarship recipient Dr Tori Stuart also returned to her former school to present the awards, reflecting on the support she received when she was awarded a scholarship in 2019 while beginning medical school.
“At the time, I was just beginning my journey through medical school, and I knew that pursuing medicine would be challenging and demanding,” she said.
Stuart said the financial assistance was important, but the encouragement that accompanied it was equally significant.
“The scholarship provided valuable financial assistance, but beyond that, it gave me something equally important: the reassurance that people believed in me and my potential.”
She said that encouragement remained with her throughout the five years of medical school and motivated her to continue.
Addressing the current students, Stuart urged them to make use of opportunities available to them and remain committed to their goals.
“There will be difficult moments and times where you may doubt yourself, but remember that your circumstances do not define your potential,” she said. “Stay committed, work hard, remain humble, and never be afraid to dream beyond what you think is possible.”
Lawrence added: “We encourage Makiah and Nikhyl… to make the most of this opportunity by continuing to work hard, remaining humble, and never underestimate what you’re capable of achieving.
“You could be standing here in the years to come. Always remember you have a choice. Either to settle for what is easy or to challenge yourself to become better.” (LE)
