Zalika, Giovanni receive Norma Keizer Scholarships

Zalika Angelique Henry and Giovanni Nanton are the recipients of the inaugural scholarships from The Norma Keizer Scholarship Foundation Inc.

The pupils, both 11 years old, received the awards, which entitle them to scholarships for the duration of their education at secondary school and community college, on Wednesday.{{more}}

Chair of the foundation Dr Adrian Fraser disclosed that it was quite difficult selecting the winners of the scholarship, because all of the applicants had done quite well in the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) and all had financial need. He said it is

the vision of the foundation to one day be able to award university scholarships in addition to secondary school scholarships.

The scholarships, valued at EC$1,400 a year for forms one to three, will be increased to EC$1,600 for forms four and five and for the years at Community College.

Henry, the ward of Kimberly Henry of Sion Hill, is a former pupil of the CW Prescod Primary School. She will attend the Girls’ High School, while Nanton, the son of Deyon Nanton of New Montrose, will take his place at the St Vincent Grammar School come September. He is a former pupil of the Fair Hall Government School.

Four bursaries of $425 each were also presented at Wednesday’s ceremony to Phernandus Charles of the Questelles Government School, Cha-Chanie Morgan of the New Prospect Infant School, Millicia Quashie of the Layou Government School and Kaela Francois of the Spring Village Methodist School.

Consultant to the foundation Pastor Dr Walford Thompson, in an address to the awardees, reminded them that if they aim at nothing, they will hit it every time.

Admitting that while at school he did not apply himself as well as he could have, Thompson said research has shown that there is a correlation between how popular a person is in school and poor academic performance. He explained that this is because popular students are more concerned about entertaining their friends and being entertained than doing their schoolwork. He implored the recipients of the awards not to get distracted and to always apply themselves.

“You have 24 hours in a day; no more no less and what you do with that 24 hours is going to determine to a large extent where you end up…”

Thompson encouraged the students to be determined and capitalize on their resources, no matter how small they might be and advised that “while we are free to choose, we are not free to choose the consequences of the choices that we make.”

Secretary to the foundation and editor of SEARCHLIGHT Clare Keizer advised the awardees to make good use of their time in order to accomplish their goals and maintain the scholarship.

She noted that her mother Norma Keizer, in whose honour the foundation was established, like them, came from a poor home, but had good academic potential and was able to win a scholarship to secondary school. She said through hard work, the generosity of others and a loving and supportive home, her mother was able to develop into a successful person who was able to contribute significantly to the nation.

“This is my wish for all the recipients of this scholarship award,” she said passionately.

Deyon Nanton, who expressed thanks to the foundation on behalf of the parents, said she remembers Norma Keizer as one who encouraged students to always strive for excellence.

She said that the awardees have been given a gift not only from the foundation but from God.

“I prayed specifically that Giovanni would receive a scholarship …. I’m really happy today that God has answered prayers.”

Nanton pledged, on behalf of the parents, to fully support the children in their academics. “We recognize also that the children don’t work in isolation and the success that they are sharing today did not come by because of us; it was a partnership from the beginning with pre-school teachers and primary school teachers.”

The Norma Keizer Scholarship Foundation Inc is a non-profit organization that was set up three months ago as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of SEARCHLIGHT newspaper.

The foundation will award secondary school scholarships to boys and girls who have passed the CPEA and are financially needy.

In her vote of thanks, foundation member Jeanette France thanked the Arnos Vale Covenant Assembly, CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, Interactive Media Ltd (publishers of SEARCHLIGHT) and the daughters of Norma Keizer (Andrea Bowman, Clare Keizer and Dr Simone Keizer-Beache) for their contributions to the foundation.

The members of the board of the foundation are Dr Adrian Fraser, Jude Knight, Jeannette France, Corletha Ollievierre, Duane Daniel and Clare Keizer. (CT)