SPBS, September 9th, 2016 -- The Sandy Point Benevolent Society (SPBS) staged its first ever Scholarship Awards Gala with class at the prestigious Maestros Banquet Hall on Saturday September 6, 2016.
The event was regarded as a distinguished opportunity for the organization to “give back” in partnership with Dr. Hannah Guishard, a daughter of the soil whose selflessness has paved the way for a generous initiative as the Scholarship Gala to become a reality.
The event mirrored previous Gala’s hosted by the SPBS in the past and was regarded as the prelude to the Mother of all Gala’s slated for Monday December 26, 2016 at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel in honor of the Sandy Point High School/CEMSS 50th anniversary.
Current SPBS President Dr. Stewart Williams welcomed guests to the give back night, articulating the success story of a group of men and women, committed to the cause of shoring up education in their alma mater and the rich history of the continuity to this commitment that has grown to over twenty years of volunteer work that has resulted in thousands of dollars in contribution to the betterment of young people who attend the Charles E. Mills Secondary School.
The evening included the rendition of the U.S. national anthem by the beautiful teen sensation Briannagh Dennehy and the St. Kitts and Nevis national anthem rendered by Pelham “Plum” Warner. Popular Calypsonian Richie Buntin set the tone for the evening by singing several melodious and upbeat tunes.
The focus of Saturday’s Gala was to laud the contribution of key note speaker and anchor for the event Dr. Hannah Guishard. The generous daughter of the soil offered two scholarships of $2,500 each to two graduates of the CEMSS and challenged attendees to raise $5,000 in scholarship money in 2017 as she is willing to match that contribution to the tune of $10,000. Dr. Hannah is completely committed to “giving back.”
At Saturday’s event, Dr. Guishard impressed upon the attendees that her motivation to give back is stimulated in part by her humble upbringing, her fear of the world and her immense doubt in herself while she was at an impressionable age. Dr. Guishard emphasized that she deemed herself as not good enough, yet her good fortune of encountering people in her community and beyond the familiar shores of St. Kitts and Nevis. She reminded guests of the many lessons she learned as a child and one in particular by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, has helped to make her the model citizen she has become; “The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept were toiling upward in the night.”
Dr. Guishard challenged her guests to “find that something in yourself that gives purpose to your life.” BE brave enough to fail without being discouraged and look for some model citizen who is the best of whatever you desire.” She reminded all that, “Great people are always willing to share. Never be afraid to ask. Think big and dream big.”
The Sandy Point Benevolent Society kicked off its first ever Scholarship Gala with generous endowments from several patrons as follows:
Sir Hugh and Lady Rawlins Graduate: Crios Freeman $2,000
SPBS Scholarship: Shanica Mills $1,000
Ridley Guishard Memorial Scholarship: Rae-Dawn Richardson: $2,500
Ridley Guishard Memorial Scholarship: Xavier Brown: $2,500
Monroe College handed over a $1,000 scholarship award presented by Ms. Kimarah Isaac on behalf of that institution. Shanica Mills, a student currently enrolled at Monroe College expressed sincerer thanks to SPBS for the $1,000 she received toward her academic pursuits this semester.
The evening climaxed with dancing, mixing and mingling among guests, who also seemed excited about the upcoming 50th Anniversary celebrations in St. Kitts on December 26, 2016.
Charles E. Mills, Jr. a member of the SPBS offered the organization’s collective gratitude to all who made the event a success including the evening keynote speaker Dr. Hannah Guishard, the Master of Ceremonies Mr. Dennis Warner, classical dancer Ms. Lisa-Marie Nesbitt, Poet Heather Archibald, the decorator (Jill), and DJ Lincoln Bass. SPBS leads the way as a model organization, constantly seeking ways to stimulate academic success by seeking out students who rise above countless hardships to excel and serve as role models to others.
SPBS proudly continues the tradition of “giving back so others can move forward.”
SAVE THE DATE: Monday December 26, 2016 for the Mother of all Galas at Marriott St. Kitts.
Don’t miss it!
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