BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PARLIAMENTARY Representative for Constituency Number Seven Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris has left his mark on 25 of the brightest students from his constituency by naming them the beneficiaries of his academic financial award.
Every year since 2004, Harris demonstrates his commitment to education by awarding students within his constituency that have excelled academically but are limited by their financial resources.
In a ceremony held Wednesday (Oct. 28), students paid special tribute to their representative in song, dance and poetry, hailing Harris as a “reliable man of integrity”.
Six students from each of the Edgar T. Morris Primary, Violet Petty Primary, Molineux Primary and Estridge Primary schools received awards. Each student received EC$ 400 to cover costs during the next school year, while each school was presented with EC$ 500.
This year’s awards received high praise by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Patrick Welcome, who said the ceremony symbolized Harris’ devotion to the educational development of his constituents. He encouraged students and teachers to set goals, stay focussed and use Harris’ generosity as an example in their own lives.
In his address to the crowd of education officials, students, teachers and residents of the community, Dr. Harris said the award is the brainchild of his constituency’s planning committee, adding that investment in students is important to him.
He gave a detailed account of his journey to success, recounting the challenges he faced within his own academic career. He thanked his family, teachers and mentors for the influence on and investment in his life.
From his experiences, Harris said he hopes his contribution would be an enabling agent to encourage further academic success for the students.
“Education certainly is the best gift that we could give to young people. I believe secondly that no child should be left behind because of economic need and economic deprivation.
Students who get this help would certainly be able to realise their full academic potential,” Harris said.
Over the last six years, over EC $70 000 has been mobilized to ensure that over 140 students are able to advance with fewer limitations to their success.
