Observer awards 5 scholarships, bursaries
FIVE students of the University of Technology’s (UTech) Hospitality and Tourism Management programme yesterday received the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards Scholarships and bursaries, valued at more than $1 million.
Three of the recipients — Danielle Palmer, 21, Desiree Forbes, 20, and Jody-Ann Beckford, 22 — were awarded full scholarships, while the other two, Vanessa Anglin, 19, and Rashada Edwards, 19, received bursaries valued at $50,000.
The students, who were all doubtful about starting their final year as a result of financial constraints expressed relief and joy after they were told that they were all winners, following an interview and presentation yesterday at the Observer’s headquarters on Beechwood Avenue in Kingston.
“I feel relief knowing that I can go back for my final year and finish, and be able to continue on my career path; I am really excited,” said Forbes, an aspiring pastry chef and bakery owner.
Palmer, who is hoping to become a food technologist and plans to research the possible connection between hair growth and Jamaican produce, said the award not only lifted a financial burden from her shoulders, but will help to drive her further into success.
“It’s really a motivation that someone believed in me and invested [in me] and I am grateful that I can finish what I need to finish, and this will push me to finish in fine style,” she said
For Beckford, who could hardly wait to share the news with her parents — both of whom are unemployed — it was a dream come true.
“I can’t wait to tell my mom, ‘hey I got a scholarship’,” she said, laughing.
The recipients, who came from an impressive pool of nominees, were also equally surprised as they were previously informed that the awards were only for two full scholarships.
Pauline Madourie, scholarship officer at UTech, was herself overjoyed and thanked the Observer profusely for what she dubbed “a milestone achievement”.
“This is indeed a pleasure to have them on board with us because the cost of tuition and the level of affordability is increasing. So I want to say thank you, Jamaica Observer, for making our students very proud and for giving [them] the dream that they really need at this time to put Jamaica forward,” she said.