BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Hon. Curtis Martin, Speaker of the National Assembly and former pupil at the Irishtown Primary School, has delivered on a promise to continue to provide Scholarships to his Alma Mata.
The presentation was made at the school’s Annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony held at the Basseterre Church of God, Durant Avenue on Wednesday, July 8.
The recipients was Shantel Burge who would receive a first year scholarship for secondary school at a value of EC$1 000. Martin was also very instrumental in donating books and other supplies to assist with the majority of prizes on that Special day for Irish Town Primary.
The recipient was chosen solely by the school and the funds were paid to the school for proper administration and benefit to the student and her parents.
The Speaker of the National Assembly urged Shantel to remain focus on her school work and also declared that she should continue to pursue her aspirations from the solid foundation galvanized from the Irish Town Primary.
He admonished her to do this for herself first; then her mother Ms. Vernarine Burge of Upper Prickley Pear Alley would be mighty proud of her. Coincidentally, both the Scholarship recipient, Shantel Burge and her mother resides in the same address the Hon. Curtis Martin lived from 1976 until about four (4) years ago.
The Hon. Curtis Martin sees this year’s scholarship donation as special since he was able to not only give back to his school and the community that helped raised him but to his neighbour. This should say a lot at a time when we seem to have lost our sense of neighbourliness.
In reviewing the school’s history, it was discovered that Martin has given scholarships to at least seven (7) students in 1990 and 1991 and 2008. He has also continuously contributed the school’s fundraising activities since leaving this school which he is mighty proud of.
The Hon. Curtis Martin is also a proud product of the McKnight/Irishtown and Prickley Pear Alley community.
