Suinday 24th, January 2021 -- The year 2020 was to symbolize perfect vision and began with many expectations. Sandy Point Benevolent Society (SPBS) opened the year with its customary annual face-to-face meeting in New Jersey. It was joyous and spirited - we even had one of our new members joining us from Florida in person.
Many plans were discussed for 2020 and beyond, we had even planned to take our annual banquet to St. Kitts in December 2020. However, we all know that sadly, most of the plans had to be shelved for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We cancelled our fund raisers including our Easter breakfast, boat ride, banquet, and annual Cruise Raffle.
Our biggest commitment remained our annual scholarships! This was the time for us to demonstrate resilience and purpose and assist when the need was greatly amplified by Covid-19. Our scholarship donors stayed the course and made this possible. Due to an anonymous donor, we were able to introduce a brand new scholarship for the Verchilds High School. Here, we present the 2020 College Scholarship winners:
The SPBS undergraduate Scholarships (3 Scholarships in this category)
Ms. Tazula Markman, Monroe University. She was born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Kitts. She is studying for her bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration. Here is what Tazula had to say. “Many reasons influenced my choice to attend school. One reason is to obtain a higher education and to give back to my country in some way. Once awarded my degree, I will be able to live a comfortable lifestyle and help in providing for my family. A degree in Health Services Administration will equip me with the necessary knowledge to help with the development of programs that aid to protect the health of individuals and families. A large part of health services administration relates to preventative care, hence a degree in such a field will allow me to work on projects that will prevent the illnesses that negatively impact the lives of our people.” Ms Tazula Markman was very appreciative for the scholarship award.
Mr. Ruan T. Wiltshire, Kun Shan University, Taiwan. He is a proud Sandy Pointer, who attended the Sandy Point Primary School (SPPS), Sandy Point High School and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC). He won the then Gilflin’s award and was the valedictorian for that graduating class at the SPPS.
We extract a brief caption from Ruan’s bio – Apart from academics, I was quite involved in sports, namely, track and field. I was the top sprinter in my school and went on to represent the country at regional events. Apart from sports, I also played active roles in organizations such as the 2nd St. Kitts Boys Brigade, the school’s debating club and the school’s choir. I graduated from High School in 2004 and received the award for the best results in sciences for the class in the CXC examinations. I then attended the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant college for 2 years where I graduated earning an associate degree in general sciences. After CFBC, I served as a substitute teacher at the Basseterre High School for two years, teaching mathematics. It was also that time I discovered a passion for music and quickly became an adept guitarist playing at church as well as for many bands within the island. I am now presently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field of Mechanical Engineering in Taiwan and then afterwards I want to undertake a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.”
Ms. Zonique Browne, University of Canada West. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Commerce at the University Canada West in Vancouver, Canada. This is what Zonique had to say when asked how she felt about receiving the SPBS scholarship. “It is an honour to be a recipient of this SPBS scholarship. The Sandy Point Benevolent society has paved the way for me and motivated me to remain a diligent student. In 2008, I became valedictorian at the Sandy Point Primary School and the Charles E Mills Secondary in 2013. As a past recipient of the SPBS principles award, I felt compelled to give back to this prestigious society, hence being a mentor in Sandy Point Benevolent Society mentorship program. I have a passion for languages. I am a member of the Alliance Francaise Vancouver and a past scholarship recipient from the Alliance Francaise SKN. Additionally, from 2017-2019, I had been a Modern Language Teacher at the Charles E Mills Secondary School. I also engaged in tutoring to assist students in need.
I aim to do my utmost best, remain focused on my goals, and ultimately represent my family, university, SPBS, and country well. ‘Do it with passion or not at all’ has been my primary mantra for years; thus, I anticipate bringing a unique and much-needed perspective to my undergraduate and graduate program in Canada”.
The Ridley Guishard Memorial Scholarship
Ms. Jackeima Fleming is the recipient of the Ridley Guishard Memorial Scholarship. Jackeima is one of those persons who believe that there is beauty in struggle. Though she is ordinarily known as a pious pageant persona and St. Kitts & Nevis 2015 Miss. World Representative, there is more than what meets the eyes when it comes to this young lady.
She is currently pursuing undergraduate studies in Business and Psychology at the University of the Virgin Islands, in St. Thomas. Jackeima considers her current position a dream come true. She gives thanks and was motivated by the teachers who whispered encouragement to her over the high school education.
Jackeima is many things. She was involved in numerous pageant competitions. She tutored and became a pageant consultant. She did voice advertisements and saved to pursue her university journey. She found time to start her own non-profit Disability Awareness Foundation called NICHE, and to start a study program called, ‘Study-Strive-Succeed’. Importantly she served as Treasurer of the SPBS (St. Kitts Chapter). Other notables include her service as past CARICOM Youth Ambassador female alt, and Youth Leader at the Ministry of Youth Annual Summer Camp. She served as past radio show host of ‘Vantage Point’ on Sugar City FM and ‘The Children’s Show’ on Radio St. Kitts-Nevis. She leisurely sings and listen to calypso, read, writes, and teaches.
Today she expresses her profound gratitude to have been selected the awardee of the 2020 Ridley Guishard Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the gracious Dr. Hannah Guishard.
SPBS Verchilds Scholarship
Ms. Galesha Henry, Midwestern State University. This scholarship was new for 2020. Galesha is the first ever recipient. She is currently an accounting major at the Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. She is a proud alumna of the Verchilds High School. Galesha began her professional career as an Internal Auditor at TDC Group of Companies. She then went on to become a Junior Financial Inspector at the Financial Services Regulatory Commission – St. Kitts Branch. It is there that she developed her passion to become a Certified Fraud Examiner and expert in Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. Obtaining her bachelor’s degree is just the first step to achieving her career goal. Galesha is also very community-oriented and she prides herself on ‘giving back’. She has been involved in several community groups which focus on building and developing the Trinity Community and assisting the youths with their academic endeavors. Galesha’s goal is to always make her parents proud and to prove to them that their sacrifices were not made in vain. She is inspired by the quote “EVERYONE can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do” – Nelson Mandela.
Sir Hugh and Lady Claudette Rawlins Scholarship
Ms Kerinda Warner, currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Canada West, is the 2020 recipient. Her reflections:
My completion of this program would be another step in my path to fulfilling my God given purpose. The past twenty–five years I have worked as an educator full time with many part-time positions. As a trained Graduate teacher, I have been on the management team of every institution where I have been employed. Whilst on the campuses during my stints of study I have worked at several positions. These ranged from Residential Assistant, lecturer on campus, human resource assistant in Scotia Bank. Being a single mother of three is one of the driving factors behind this desire to be the best at what I do.
As a single mother I intend to be in a position that I can provide for my family at the very highest level. I would also be an example to other working professionals to motivate and encourage them to pursue their dreams. I believe in success and continued knowledge and that is why I am aspiring to complete my MBA degree. This field of study would place me in a position to be an asset to my country.
SPBS would like to thank our donors who made it possible for us to continue our scholarship programs in 2020 despite not being able to hold our planned fund raisers due to the pandemic. We also wish the students much success in their respective studies. We continue to live up to our slogan “We give back so that others can move forward” and hope that these students would pay-it-forward and join our proud team of future servant leaders.
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