Charlestown-Nevis-Young Jeran Webbe, a recent graduate of the Charlestown Primary school, is this year’s recipient of the TEST OF STANDARDS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD, presented by the Ministry of Social Development.
Jeran was presented the prestigious award on Thursday 19th July, at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance’s conference room.
The ceremony was ably chaired by Mrs. Shelly Liburd, Administrative Secretary within the Ministry, who noted in her opening remarks that the scholarship was the brain child of former Minister of Social Development, Hon. Hazel Brandy- Williams and part of the policies implemented by the Ministry of Youth, to encourage students to work diligently and excel academically.
She congratulated Jeran on being the top scholar for the test of standards 2018.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Mr. Keith Glasgow, then gave some details on the scholarship.
He stated that the scholarship was put in place, after it was noted that there were no special awards for the top scholar in the test of standards each year.
He pointed out that it was available to the top performer in the examinations, once that individual is a resident or citizen of Nevis. The scholarship recipient must maintain a specified performance standard and will be encouraged and monitored during the period of the scholarship.
Also on hand, was Minister of Social Development Hon. Eric Evelyn, who congratulated Jeran for his tremendous achievement and applauded him for being the fourth recipient of the award.
He expressed his delight at the fact that this year’s recipient is a boy, as he indicated that normally the girls outperform the boys academically.
He took time out to congratulate Jeran’s parents, who were present: Mr. Jerry Webbe and Miss Angela Monzac, as he observed that when children conduct themselves badly, the parents share the blame and so when children excel, the parents should share the praise for their efforts.
He then presented young Webbe with a certificate, a congratulatory letter and a cheque for $750.00 EC.
The young scholar, who will be attending the Charlestown Secondary school, will receive a similar cheque each year, right through to sixth form, once he adheres to the strict guidelines associated with the scholarship.
He (Jeran) then eloquently expressed thanks to Minister Evelyn and the Ministry of Social Development and promised to continue to do his best in order to excel and vowed that he would keep out of bad company.
Both parents, then also expressed thanks to the Ministry for the kind assistance and vowed to continue to assist their son in his future development and academic progress and hoped that such scholarships would serve as an inspiration to other primary school students.
Mr. Jerry Webbe boldly predicted that one day, Jeran will become the state’s scholar.