Mon | Apr 6, 2026

Students across three parishes get $35m in back-to-school support from New Fortress

Published:Monday | August 19, 2024 | 12:07 AM
Pause
Top Primary Exit Profile performer at Corinaldi Avenue Primary School, Desandra Clarke, is congratulated by Verona Carter, vice president, New Fortress Energy, during the company’s back-to-school financial aid programme in Montego Bay, St James recently
Contributed
Top Primary Exit Profile performer at Corinaldi Avenue Primary School, Desandra Clarke, is congratulated by Verona Carter, vice president, New Fortress Energy, during the company’s back-to-school financial aid programme in Montego Bay, St James recently.
Close to 400 students in Montego Bay received much-needed back to school support from New Fortress Energy Foundation recently, in partnership with the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In the photo are (front row, from left) Desandra Clarke, top
Contributed
Close to 400 students in Montego Bay received much-needed back to school support from New Fortress Energy Foundation recently, in partnership with the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In the photo are (front row, from left) Desandra Clarke, top performer at Corinaldi Avenue Primary School, whose placement score is 393.1; Trisan Miller and Will Williams, also from Corinaldi Avenue Primary School. From back left are Amano Lamey, Cornwall College; Verona Carter, vice president of New Fortress Energy; Rachel McIntosh, Montego Bay High School; Bishop Conrad Pitkin,custos of St James and Paulette Neil, third director, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
1
2

With many families still trying to put the pieces back together following Hurricane Beryl, more than 1,000 students from Clarendon, Old Harbour in St Catherine, and Montego Bay in St James recently receive much-needed support in the form of vouchers, bursaries, medical and dental examinations.

The primary and high school students from across the three parishes also received backpacks, notebooks and other school supplies in time for the upcoming school year.

The students, who were selected by their principals, guidance counsellors, teachers and community leaders, were awarded for their commitment to excellence and benefitted from more than $35 million in financial aid and school supplies.

Diana Chambers, whose son is in grade three at Irwin Primary School, said, “Last week I bought just a few books, and I paid $15,000, and I still have more to buy, plus shoes, uniform and other supplies. So, I am very grateful for this support, and I just want to say God bless you because, without this help, a lot of us wouldn’t be able to complete our preparations for back-to-school.”

In Clarendon, Petol Logan-Clarke, mother of three-time recipient, Ky-Rae Clarke, who is also the top Primary Exit Profile (PEP) boy for Hayes Primary school, said, “We have received this support from New Fortress Energy Foundation for the third year and it has helped significantly, especially with his books. Ky-Rae is the top PEP boy at his school, and now that he is transitioning to Glenmuir High School, we are happy that the bursary will pay his tuition and the financial aid will help with his books, especially since I have a younger one still in primary school plus, I’m in college too. So, this is always a big help for us as a family,” Logan-Clarke shared.

Meanwhile, Althea Palmer, a guidance counsellor at Sudbury Primary and Infant School, and Stacy Cummings-Heaven, teacher at Chetwood Memorial Primary, echoed similar sentiments, saying the initiative would no doubt help a lot of parents, especially at this time of year.

Palmer added that, “As a guidance counsellor, we have wards of state in the school system who are doing very well, and this is further encouragement for them to continue to do well. The needs are great, so well done for this support.”

The combined package for students this year from New Fortress Energy Foundation includes $10,000 financial aid vouchers for more than 1,200 primary and high school students, $35,000 bursary for close to 70 PEP students, community bursary of $50,000 for over 65 high school and tertiary students, free medical and dental for over 500 students plus backpacks, notebooks and school supplies for over 2,000 students.

Verona Carter, vice president at New Fortress Energy, said the company was happy to be able to support and give back to the communities in which it operates, especially following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, from which many families are still recovering.

“Back-to-school is always a stressful time, which is even more overwhelming this year because of the recent hurricane. At New Fortress Energy, we believe in powering communities and empowering lives, which is what our back-to-school financial aid programme is all about. We are humbled and encouraged by the expressions of gratitude, and we remain committed to supporting these communities in meaningful and practical ways.”