Ten students of Kingston Technical (KT) were recently awarded scholarships from the Rotary Club of Kingston, valued at a total of $100,000.

Club president Donald Reynolds presented the scholarship cheque to KT's guidance counsellor, Janet Senior, who collected on the students' behalf. The funds are to absorb costs such as travel, food, books and school fees.

In acknowledging the efforts of the four girls and six boys, Justice Henderson Downer, deputy to the children's advocate and former KT student, thanked the Rotary Club for its "very generous" gift.

"I hope that the students here will pursue their education either at the University of Technology or the University of the West Indies which I attended," Downer said.

He went on to talk about a new endowment fund set up by past students of KT, which will further facilitate the academic development of the institution's students.

The criteria for the scholarship required the students to maintain a good academic performance, participate in extra-curricular activities, show leadership qualities and act as good role models, as well as financial need.

Proud of progress

Saying she was proud of the progress of her students, Senior told The Gleaner: "I am overwhelmed with joy because I know that this will be a motivating factor for other students to do the same."

She added: "The motivation was there for some students but they knew the importance of keeping the balance of good behaviour and academia, as this is what employers are looking for also."

Senior said that, at the moment, the scholarship would take care of school expenses and, in the future, "I'm sure they will be able to act as mentors to the other students".

For students like Orande Nail, 17, who wants to become an arts support technician and is in his final year, the scholarship means a lot to him for more than one reason.

"I come from a family where I have to study hard to go to college and further my education so my family is my motivation," he said. "I have two younger sisters, so this [scholarship] gives me more motivation."

Cassandra Davis, 17, said she wants to pursue a career in accounting after working hard to receive her accolades and that her family would be proud.