FOURTEEN brilliant young minds — one per parish — each with similar stories of defying economic hardship by way of education, were recently put to the test as the National Commercial Bank Foundation sought to identify the two jewels who would be named its national scholars for 2016.
At the end of the deliberations, which they admitted was difficult, it was 19-year-old Nicollette Bailey, a Clarendon native, and 19-year-old St Thomas-bred Rachel Clarke who came out ahead.
The announcement was made on Thursday at the NCBF Scholarship Revealing Ceremony at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston.
Administrator of the nine-year-old programme Jamilia Crooks said the national champions will be awarded $500,000 each, while parish champions will receive a purse of $250,000 each year provided that they maintain the minimum of a B+ average and engage in volunteer work.
National champions Rachel Clarke (left) and Nicollette Bailey wore big smiles as they showed off their trophies following the recently held NCB Foundation annual scholarship awards ceremony at the Courtleigh hotel.
Bailey, a past student of DeCarteret College in Mandeville, who will be reading for a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance at the University of the West Indies, said that she is from a family of small farmers and will be the first to attend university.
“I knew we couldn’t afford the tuition, so the plan was to apply for a student loan. This scholarship is an opportunity to completely turn around, not only mine but my family’s circumstances. It has firmly put me on the path to becoming a true nation builder. It was a very talented group; however, I believe my true passion, need, and determination shone through to the adjudicators. I’m eternally grateful to the NCB Foundation for funding my dream of a tertiary education. I can do no less than proudly represent the brand whilst maintaining a standard of excellence,” Bailey told the Jamaica Observer.
Clarke, a Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) alum, had a similar story of financial hardship. She will be pursuing a Bachelor’s of Medicine and Surgery at the University of the West Indies.
“For a girl from the poor, rural community of Yallahs and my mother being a vendor and my father a fisherman, to acquire the resources to afford such a programme seems like an impossible task. Therefore this scholarship has opened the door for me to accomplish my life’s goal of becoming a doctor. I am well on my way and I am really grateful to the NCB Foundation for giving me this opportunity,” Clarke said.
She added: “It is important for one to be the change they want to see in the world, and so for me to have reached thus far it is an inspiration to the kids in my community and school family to say, ‘Yes, if she can do this, I can do it also’. And I will continue to push on and step up to every obstacle that comes along with the mindset that with every adversity comes an opportunity.”
Thursday’s ceremony also featured the inauguration of the ICON (innovative, creative, outstanding, nationalistic) Scholarship which caters to students with an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) areas. This, the Foundation said, was in response to a call from the education ministry in recognition of the global demand for people in non-traditional fields. Of the $5 million that has been earmarked, 15 students will receive $120,000 yearly for the duration of their studies once they, like the parish and national champions, maintain a B+ average and engage in volunteer work. An additional 41 students will benefit from one-time bursaries ranging from $75,000 to $100,000.
“NCB, a corporate citizen, is proud to have had yet another opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Jamaica’s potential. We firmly believe that, paraphrasing the words of Victor Hugo, the more we open more doors to schools, the greater the chance that we have to put a dent in social ills such as crime that detract from the progress of nation building. NCB is dedicated to seeing young minds engaged in innovation and worthwhile activities. This is our campaign for a lasting community,” said corporate brand manager of communications and philanthropy at NCB, Belinda Williams.
The NCB scholarship and grants programme encapsulates several award categories for those who meet the required eligibility profile. This year, over 400 applicants, including teachers and over 170 students at the primary and secondary levels, will benefit from the purse of $30 million which the foundation has earmarked for assisting students and educators in their educational pursuits.
Source: Jamaica Observer