KCCU enables dreams in action through scholarships

by Eldonté Samuel

The Kingstown Cooperative Credit Union (KCCU), has awarded six scholarships and four bursaries to students entering secondary schools at the start of the 2024/25 school year. Scholarships amounting to $1,500 annually for seven years, and bursaries amounting to $1,000 were presented at a ceremony hosted by the KCCU on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

The scholarship recipients are J’Vonnique Hamlet and Jaea Bramble from St Mary’s Roman Catholic; Chase Franklyn from Belair Government School; K’Jay Peters from Sugar Mill Academy; Gabe Hillocks from Kingstown Preparatory School; and Jorvan Hamilton from the Questelles Government School.

Those receiving bursaries are Syresha Tyrell from the CW Prescod Primary School; Adijhe Scotland from St Mary’s Roman Catholic School; Tre’sean Williams from the Lowmans Leeward Anglican School; and Keshorn Williams from the Marriaqua Government School.

Sonjé Lewis also received a $1,500 award from the KCCU for his 100 percent mathematics score in this year’s Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), and his active involvement in the credit union’s activities.

The ceremony which recognised the exceptional accomplishments of student members, themed, “Dreams in Action”, was also a recognition of the hard work and dedication of past graduates who are members of the institution.

Eduardo Gibbons, a KCCU past scholar and aspiring Neuroscientist, during his motivational speech shared the challenges and setbacks he overcame pursuing a university education.

He emphasised the importance of resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to “pay the price” for success.

“Each of our lives is like a blank canvas, the gift from God,” Gibbons said. “Every moment, every choice and every effort we make adds to that canvas, shaping our unique stories.”

Gibbons received the KCCU’s honour roll trophy at the end of the award ceremony.

Director, Nyasha Stapleton highlighted the significance of goal-setting and action to realise dreams in various fields during her address to the recipients.

“You want to become a police officer, fisherman, or woman, how do you go about this? This is where you put your action into place in order to attain this dream. You’re not going to detour yourself and say, ‘No, I don’t want to do this because it’s not everybody doing this; all of my friends are lawyers; they are doctors; they are accountants, what am I doing fishing? Or why am I farming?’ You’re not going to limit yourself; your dream is your goal, and you want to achieve this.”

She challenged the students to stay focused and push forward as they did to earn their awards on Thursday.

Andre Bowman, a 2019 scholarship recipient, delivered a captivating piano performance at the event. Furthermore, Niama McLean, a 2020 KCCU scholarship recipient, shared a testimonial during the event.

McLean spoke about how the financial assistance and encouragement from the credit union profoundly impacted her academic and personal growth, motivating her to excel and believe in her potential.

The event was further enriched by the presence of KCCU’s Miss SVG 2024 contestant, Zada Stephens, who assisted in the distribution of the gift vouchers, adding another special touch to the event.