THE ‘Power of Possibility’ was on display at the Annual Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Scholarship Awards Reception, where 14 children of JNBS Group Employees were awarded five-year scholarships based on their achievement of more than 85 per cent in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

The students, whose parents work in different entities in the JN Group, were among 31 JN Scholars who were presented with awards at the 2014 Scholarship Reception, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew on September 14, under the theme ‘The Power of Possibility’.

This year’s reception, staged as the Jamaica National Building Society celebrates its 140th Anniversary, demonstrated the organisation’s continued commitment to education.

Guest speaker, Kasan Martin-Troupe, principal of the Denbigh High School, encouraged the students to continuously strive for excellence as they embark on their academic journey in high school.

“In fact, excellence and hard work are very good friends. You won’t see one without the other. What you do to one, the other will do to you,” she said, while addressing the newly minted JN scholars.

Children of JN Group employees, who received scholarships, include: Abigail Gordon, Andre Rowe, Candace Ramsay, Davin-Kyle Barrett, Dimario Walker-Patterson, Giovanni Lawrence, Jordan Stachan, Kellijah Morgan, Matthew Pringle, Roshaad Rodney and Saevion McFadden.

Elizabeth Scott, executive assistant in the JN Group marketing, sales and promotions department, was elated to have her second child, Mordicai Scott, receive a JN GSAT Scholarship.

“If she didn’t do well, she wouldn’t have had this opportunity and I am very happy that Jamaica National was able to offer this scholarship,” Scott said.

Mordicai attended the Greater Portmore Primary and later the Jesse Ripoll Primary school for Grade Five, and was successful in the GSAT, receiving a place at the Wolmer’s Girls’ School. She describes her preparation for the examination as ‘hectic’.

“The whole process was hard, because I wanted to play games and spend time with my brother; but I had to do homework and extra lessons,” she explained.

Mordicai participated in the summer school programme of her new high school and has already made new friends. She is now looking forward to participating in volleyball and swimming as the school year progresses.

Twelve-year-old Romayne Allen, the daughter of Errol Allen, operations supervisor of the JN MoneyShop located in Lucea, Hanover, is also looking forward to participating in the myriad of extra-curricular activities that are available at the Manning’s School, where she was placed.

“I am planning to participate in the Performing Arts Society, as I have been performing in the JCDC competitions speech, music and dance from I was in Grade One. I also plan to join Key Club because my sister was a member and I want to follow in her footsteps,” she noted.

Her mother, Heather Allen, said that Romayne, who attended the Frome Preparatory School, was always a good student, but noted that the GSAT was a particular challenge for her daughter.

“She has always done well; however, at times it was a challenge, consequently lessons on Saturdays, and in the afternoons, really helped her,” Allen explained.

Trevaun Newell, who was successful in being placed at his school of choice, Wolmer’s Boys’ School, was assisted in his preparation by his parents. His father, Dodgry Newell, account manager at JN subsidiary, Management Control Systems (MCS), explained that they were able to help Trevaun to focus as time drew closer to the examination.

“One of the challenges he had was his own ambition. He wanted to be involved in everything. He wanted to play football, cricket, athletics; he plays music and sings in the choral group. It was impossible for him to cover all these activities and his academics; therefore, we reduced these activities to allow him enough time to focus on the GSAT,” Newell noted.

A former Wolmer’s Preparatory student, Trevaun is already looking ahead in his high school career and aims to participate in athletics; as well as the Inter-school Christian Fellowship (ISCF).

“I’m also looking forward to doing geography as it goes deeper into the art of Social Studies,” he added.

The JN Scholars were presented with gift packages, certificates and the special JN Scholar pins.