GSAT top achiever's hope renewed - GASPRO sponsorship helps to cover educational expenses
Published:Friday | July 22, 2011 | 12:00 AM
JAHVION HIGGINS of Norman Gardens All-Age School, Kingston, lost his father in April, leaving him with little financial support for his education.
His mother, Jacqueline Mcleod, is unemployed, so it has been a struggle to get books, uniforms, and other necessary items to attend St George's College - where he gained a place after scoring a more than 90 per cent average in the Grade Six Achievement Test.
However, with the help of Gas Products Limited (GASPRO), Jahvion's family can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that some of his expenses will be covered.
Honour and uplift
The 11-year-old said he promise to work hard and continue his efforts to honour the memory of his father and uplift the lives of his two brothers, and his mother, who form an unbreakable backbone in his academic career.
Higgins was among the seven students who were honoured on Wednesday by the company for their outstanding performance in the examination.
The awards ceremony took place at the GASPRO offices on Windward Road in Kingston.
The students received $50,000 each, an amount they will continue to get throughout their high school and tertiary years if they maintain a B average and good conduct.
According to GASPRO CEO Peter Graham, the students were chosen from schools that are within the vicinity of the Kingston and Montego Bay branches of the company.
"The scholarship provides two objectives, excellence for the students and helping the parents, and we are very happy about that," Graham said.
"We feel very privileged to be able to give back and make an impact on the lives of the wider community. We really feel good to know that our programme can impact lives," Graham added.
Top students Ron Jerome Robinson and Chare Rickman of Granville All Age; Rashane Murray and Dorelle Asphall of Windward Road Primary and Junior High; Samantha James and Jahvion, of Norman Gardens Primary and Junior High School; and Staneek McLean of Rennoch Lodge All-Age School were each awarded.
Quest for greatness
Representing Angela Brown-Burke, councillor for the Norman Gardens division in East Kingston, Howard Martin congratulated the students for the hard work that qualified them for the award.
"To the children, I am challenging you to always remember that this day is a special day and, to the parents, I am challenging them to continue to support their children in their quest for greatness," Martin said.
"Parents, never let it be said that you did not do your work."
The company has been awarding students from the areas, who gained above 55 per cent in the exam, since 2009.