Serendipity! Youngsters take a chance, achieve success

Five months ago, Princeton Brown, a 19-year-old academic over-achiever living in Port Antonio, Portland, sat at home trying to figure out what to do with his life. He was a sixth-form student at Titchfield High School, about to sit level two CAPE exams. Two years earlier, he had gained distinctions in eight CSEC subjects, setting him up for a future he had always dreamed of.
"All my life, for as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to become a doctor," he said.

"People always say that children change their minds a lot before deciding what they want to become, but I was never like that. I always wanted to be a doctor."

Princeton had applied to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Faculty of Medical Sciences and, as his teachers told him, he stood a good chance of getting accepted. But there was one major hurdle standing in his way. It would cost more than $1 million just to cover tuition for a single year of school. Books, equipment and lodging were extra.

"It just wasn't going to be possible. Student loans don't cover that programme and there's no way I could come up with that kind of money. My family doesn't have the means to help me either," said Princeton.

Meanwhile, miles away in May Pen, Clarendon, Chevel Burke, 19, faced a similar challenge.

"I wanted to study pharmacology because I love science and learning about the make-up of drugs, but the cost was too much for my family to handle," she said.

persuing the dream

Burke had also applied to UWI but was becoming increasingly convinced that she would have to give up her dream.

"I was beginning to think that I would have to do something else with myself. I didn't know what to do."

It was another major disappointment for Chevel, whose mother, only two years earlier, died of cancer, days before the young woman would sit her CSEC exams.

The loss impacted her greatly, but the Glenmuir High School head girl still managed an impressive nine passes, including five with distinctions.

Chevel and Princeton had never met each other, but they both faced the same problem. They also, both received fateful words of advice from family members, around the same time.

"My mom saw something on television about an NCB (National Commercial Bank) Foundation scholarship programme and said I should check it out. She insisted on it," said Princeton.

Over in May Pen, Chevel's friends were pushing her to apply for the same scholarship.

"At first, I wasn't going to, because I know how many people try to get these things and I just figured I didn't have a chance," said Chevel.

The two eventually decided to apply for the scholarship, which the Foundation awards each year to students from humble households, who are in excellent academic standing, and are involved in their communities.

"I just did it, but I wasn't at all expecting anything to happen. It was just something I decided to try because I had nothing to lose," Chevel said.

hope restored

Under the programme the two tried out for, the Foundation chooses a single student from each parish to receive a tertiary scholarship. That person is called 'Parish Champion' and gets up to $200,000 per year for the duration of his or her academic programme. Both Chevel and Princeton were named champions of their respective parishes.

"I was very happy. It gave me some hope that maybe I still had a chance of realising my dream," said Princeton.

But there was more to come. One person among the parish champions was to be named 'All-Island Champion'. The foundation would then cover that student's entire tuition (up to $500,000 per year) for the duration of the academic programme. The champion would also get the opportunity to work for the NCB Foundation during summer breaks.

That's when Chevel and Princeton met for the first time. They, and three other parish champions were short-listed for the top award and would be interviewed individually by a panel for a champion to be chosen.

"It's difficult each year to choose a winner, but this year it was particularly hard," said Bridgette Rhoden of the NCB Foundation.

"Chevel and Princeton each had excellent grades and their stories were touching."

The panel was stumped, so a decision was made to award, for the first time, two 'All Island Champions'. Princeton and Chevel would each receive the benefits of the top honour.

"I couldn't believe it!" said Princeton. "Elated would be an understatement. It's a life-changing opportunity."

tears of joy

When Chevel got the news, her mind immediately went to her mom.

"She is the one who used to always push me and insist that I never give up. She would always tell me to believe in myself. I almost didn't try out for the scholarship because I didn't believe I could do it. I know she would have been so happy," said Chevel, her eyes filled with tears.

Sheree Martin, NCB Foundation's chief executive officer said she was moved by Chevel and Princeton's stories.

"It is an inspiring experience to interact with two young adults like Princeton and Chevel," she said.

"Their stories show us what talent and hard work can achieve. We believe that their fortitude and drive to succeed must be recognized and rewarded. We hope they will fulfil their academic potential and achieve their career goals, and while doing so, serve as shining examples for others to emulate," she said.

For Princeton, now a first-year medical student, and Chevel, a pharmacology major, both at UWI, it's an opportunity to make the most of.

"Blessings like this are to be used wisely," said Princeton. "One day I will be able to pay it forward. I will help someone in the same way when I am able."

Chevel, too, has big plans for the future.

"This helped me realise that I shouldn't be afraid to try. I'll always remember that, and I'm going to ensure that I make the Foundation and my mom proud of me," she said.