Penny Bank helps accelerate Ronaldo’s Sports Career

FORMER ST VINCENT Grammar School Head Boy Ronaldo Andrews will receive additional financial assistance from The St Vincent Co-operative Bank Ltd (SVCBL) as he embarks on a sporting career at the Kingston College in Jamaica.

Ronaldo, who was a Penny Saver at the SVCBL, received an athletic scholarship from the Kingston College in Jamaica based on his outstanding athletic achievements at the St Vincent Grammar School. The SVCBL’s policy states that no candidate who is the holder of another scholarship can be awarded a SVCBL scholarship, however, the Bank’s executive decided to award Ronaldo a scholarship to further assist with any incidentals while in Jamaica after considering his current economic situation and the fact that he will be attending an off-island school.

The sponsorship is another way the bank seeks to fulfil its corporate duties.

Ronaldo, 17, of Murray’s Village was an exemplary student at the St. Vincent Grammar School. His passion for success is shown through his achievements in track and field, as he currently holds the national triple jump and long jump titles in his age category. His leadership qualities have earned him the badges of Head boy, Peer counsellor, Prefect, Vice-Captain of Lopey house, Committee Member and Student Counsellor badges. His Christian faith has grounded him, and his mantra is “hard work, dedication and discipline.” Ronaldo is the seventh of eight children to single parent mother Jacqueline Waterstone.

The young athlete took the time to thank all who assisted him saying, “ I am really excited for this opportunity that is given to me. I am beyond grateful that The St. Vincent Co-operative Bank is going to sponsor me on my journey to Kingston College. I intend to do incredible things in terms of furthering my jumping skills in order to perform at my best in breaking national records in my athletic journey and hopefully going on to receiving more scholarships that can take me further in life. I believe with God anything is possible.”

The St Vincent Co-operative Bank with its operation at the corner of Heritage Square and Bay Street thrives on its indigeneity with a vision to develop its talents and to invest in future nation builders. The SVCBL opened its doors on February 1, 1945. All that was required at that time to open an account was a penny and to date the bank is known as the “Penny Bank.” In September 2020 the bank afforded nine primary school students and four secondary school students an opportunity for continued education through financial assistance. All recipients who were awardees of these scholarships were “Active Penny Savers” whose parents/guardians commenced their savings from an early age.

The Board, the Management, and Staff of the SVCBL extend best wishes and continued success to Ronaldo Andrews as he embarks on this new chapter.