Credit union awards scholarships to six

Six outstanding students from three tertiary institutions received special scholarships through the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited (BPWCCUL) on Wednesday.

They are Jaydon Alleyne, Peter Greenidge and Teana Hunte from the Barbados Community College; Kaya Kellman-Wall from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus; and Kerron Renée and Luralylse Springer from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology.

In total, they received $19 500 in financial support.

In a ceremony held at the credit union’s Belmont Road, St Michael headquarters, Irene Sandiford-Garner, secretary of the board of directors and chairperson of the educational grants and social outreach committee, congratulated the recipients for their achievement. She told them this was an occasion in which they should feel proud as they were representing their families and communities in an esteemed way.

Of the awardees, Kellman-Wall and Hunte received the Overcomer scholarship. Both 20-year-olds defied their circumstances and excelled academically, making them deserving of the opportunity.

Hunte, who is pursuing an associate degree in architectural studies, survived a life-threatening road accident in 2018 that left her quadriplegic (paralysis of all four limbs). This crash took place two months after her father died. 

In 2015, at the tender age of 10, Kellman-Wall’s father, Jason Wall, was gunned down. Since then, her mother had a difficult time as the sole breadwinner in the household.

Secretary of the board of directors and chairperson of the educational grants and social outreach committee Irene Sandiford-Garner. (GP)

Kellman-Wall, who is pursuing a degree in biochemistry, said a good career would enable her to take care of her family and make her dad proud. Her mum is currently unable to work due to injury and the financial assistance was needed to help pay for school fees, as financial difficulties forced her to miss classes.

The H. Delisle Hurley Memorial Scholarship was awarded to 17-year-olds Alleyne and Greenidge.

Alleyne is pursuing a degree in Mathematics while Greenidge is pursuing an associate degree in computer studies.

The Verta Coppin Memorial Scholarship was given to Renée and Springer.

Renée, 18, is pursuing a diploma in networking technology while Springer, 16, is pursuing a diploma in electrical engineering.

The BPWCCUL educational scholarship awards have been ongoing since 2010 and are part of a grants and academic award programme. The scholarship awards focus on empowering members and the wider community, recognising excellence across various fields of study. (SZB)