Canadian firm grants scholarships to Bethlehem students
Published:Saturday | April 23, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer
MALVERN, ST Elizabeth
FOR THE second consecutive year, Bonnie Hoy and Associates, a marketing firm located in Ontario, Canada, has given several scholarships to students at Bethlehem Moravian College in St Elizabeth.
Though the money is provided by Bonnie Hoy and Associates, the scholarship programme is the brainchild of one of Bethlehem's graduates, Laval Wilkinson, who is the clients services manager at Bonnie Hoy and Associates, which, Wilkinson said, is "the number-one marketing and public relations company servicing major landlords across Ontario".
From humble beginnings in Malvern, St Elizabeth, Wilkinson rose to become president of the students' council at Bethlehem. He taught for two years in Jamaica before migrating. In response to his desire to give back to his alma mater, Bonnie Hoy and Associates decided to offer scholarships to outgoing first-year students who have difficulties in funding their education.
Last year, 14 students were awarded scholarships amounting to CDN$25,000, which covered their full tuition fees. This year, 17 scholarships were granted, but in a very dramatic fashion, an 18th recipient, Wishart Green, was announced during the college's annual awards ceremony on Thursday, April 14.
Rapturous applause
When Bonnie Hyde, the principal of Bonnie Hyde and Associates, made the announcement, Green, who had earlier expressed his disappointment in not receiving any of the scholarships, was elsewhere rehearsing for a performance that was to come. He was quickly fetched and brought through the pouring rain and into the chapel to rapturous applause that drowned the sound of the rain beating down on the church roof. This was even before the formal announcements were made of the 17 original recipients.
It was an amazing moment. "Astonishment," he said, was what he said felt. In speaking with The Gleaner about this surprising twist, a joyful and grateful Green said, "I think it is the work of the Lord. There is no other explanation for it ... It's nothing but a miracle." And to show his appreciation, Green entertained the gathering, which included Bonnie Hoy herself, her colleague Genevieve Delany and Laval Wilkinson, with a dub poem, before returning to his rehearsal.
Shortly after, Albert Corcha, principal of Munro College and the evening's guest speaker, hinted that Munro too would be offering a scholarship to a Bethlehem student, and starting this year, at least one graduate per year would be given employment at Munro. Corcha, who is in his first term at one of the top all-boy schools in the island, implored the students to take their rightful place in the society as strong leaders and to work hard towards the development of the country.
Photos by Paul Williams