BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EIGHT of the Federation’s junior scholars have been inducted into the TDC family by way of the Warren Tyson Memorial Scholarship Programme – an avenue through which they will be able to mature into accomplished individuals.
The scholarship programme, named in memory of the company’s first chairman, has benefited over 180 students since its inception, and eight more students are added to the prestigious list every year.
This year, one student was selected from every secondary school in the Federation. From Nevis, Adissa Farrell of Charlestown Secondary and Charlin Morton of Gingerland Secondary were nominated as the top two from the island.
In St. Kitts, Moveen Francis of Basseterre High, Keshan Henry of Verchilds High, Shenequa Stevens of Cayon High, Christien Dyer of Washington Archibald High, Dezarnique Hodge of Sandy Point High and Akimba Francis, who will be attending the newly built Saddlers High, all received the scholarship.
The Warren Tyson Memorial Scholarship Programme provides a stipend of EC $750 annually to cover school expenses.
Students also benefit from work experience and mentorship as part of the package. Every year, about 45 students partner with TDC and are placed in various departments to gain hands-on experience in a number of career fields.
During a brief award presentation ceremony held last Saturday (Aug. 29), Programme Director Dennis Knight informed that the Ministries of Education in collaboration with the various primary schools underwent a rigorous selection process that resulted in a total of roughly 40 nominations this year. Only eight students were selected for the scholarship, and according to Knight, they are the cream of the crop.
“TDC has helped students from all walks of life; we have programmes for that, but this programme is one of excellence. We want to have students who are bright and who have potential but perhaps cannot make it otherwise because the family cannot afford it. That’s where TDC comes in,” said Knight.
The Director stressed that while TDC does not guarantee a job at the end of the scholarship programme, the benefits of preparing students for the world of work are invaluable.
“No matter what credentials you have, you need a certain type of personal development and growth. You need to develop a good work ethic and moral standards if you’re going to develop in life,” he urged the students.
Guest speaker and former scholarship recipient Dr. Rohn Carty encouraged the students to stay focussed in order to achieve dreams.
The young doctor recounted his experiences of going through the programme, and indicated that it helped mould him as an upstanding and accomplished individual. He repeated the company’s motto ‘TDC for service; TDC for quality; TDC your company’ to reaffirm that the company has spared no effort to invest in maintaining the quality of students pursuing high academic goals.
Words of inspiration continued during the ceremony when TDC Chairman Michael Morton echoed similar sentiments of congratulations and celebration.
“What makes me so proud is what we have accomplished through the investment in our children. We are giving them the opportunity to build not only the individual, but also the community,” he said.
