Ten receive NCCU scholarships

Ten students were awarded National Cooperative Credit Union (NCCU) scholarships to attend secondary school in the new academic year at a special ceremony held at the company’s board room on Monday.

The scholarships, awarded to children of the members of NCCU, include provision of text books and school supplies to a maximum of $700, an allowance for uniform of $300 per student, payment of school fees to a maximum of $525, provision of a monthly transportation allowance ranging from $50-$100 per student and payments of CXC examination fees at 5th form based on recommendations from the school.

The students are Smine Abeo Darroux of Petite Savanne, who received the merit scholarship; Aquila Joeanna Charles of Roseau and Shaquan Irish of Giraudel, both received the Hudson Savarin Needs Scholarships; Xavier Renne Mitchel of Bellevue Chopin, Roger Rolle of Trafalgar and Jefferson Charles of Wotten Waven receiving the Edward Elwin Scholarships.  The Ambrose Cuffy Memorial Scholarship went to Marissa Matthew of Morne Jaune; the Vernice Bellony Scholarship to Reggie Donald Desbonne of Dos,D’Ane; the Marie Wilkins Scholarship to Jason Joshua Toussaint of Pointe Michel and Jernelle Dervia Benjamin of Mahaut received the Myrtle Hilton scholarship.

Chief Executive Officer of NCCU, Aylmer Irish, called on the students to count their blessings and take their school work seriously.

“I want you the scholarship recipients to count your blessings as you were selected from among 78 applicants … you therefore must take your work seriously; let no one tell you that you cannot achieve what you set out to be in life,” he said.

According to Irish, at a time when the distractions of cell phones and Ipads are endless, “you must put your school work first, be always mindful that financial resources are limited.”

“You must therefore make the best use of the opportunity afforded you by the NCCU,” he added.

He encouraged the scholarship recipients to study hard to make their parents and communities proud and to also, “bring satisfaction to the members of NCCU whose funds have been invested in your education.”

“Although financial support may be limited, whatever is learnt remains with each of us for a lifetime, thus the need to establish the right foundation,” he said.

Irish also had some words for the parents of the students.

“To you the parents, the success of the students is always hinge on your unwavering support and encouragement,” he remarked.

Meantime, President of the NCCU, Dexter Ducreay, stated that the company has spent over $450,000 in contributing to the economic development of the island’s students.

He mentioned also that the total scholarships awarded to students over the years amount to 57.