Photo Caption: JN PEP Scholarship recipients take a group photo after the awards ceremony at The Summit in Kingston on Sunday, November 12.
In recognition of 40 years of providing students and families with financial support for academic achievement, the JN Foundation and JN Money presented 47 scholarships and grants to students who excelled in the 2023 Primary Exit Profile (PEP).
The awards presentation took place on Sunday, November 11 at The Summit in Kingston. Seventeen five-year parish and county scholarships, and 10 grants by JN Money were presented to students across the country, while 20 five-year scholarships were also awarded to children of employees of The Jamaica National Group.
Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said that this year’s awards is special, given that it’s the organisation’s 40th year of awarding academic achievement of the nation’s children.
“Such a longstanding tradition of supporting education and investing in the future of deserving young people is a testament to the values and commitment of The Jamaica National Group,” she said.
“We’ve not just given scholarships; we’ve invested in the potential of young minds. We’ve recognised the talents, ambitions, and dreams of countless individuals, and we’ve helped them take the first steps towards a better future,” she said.
Miss Allen noted that since 1983, The Jamaica National Group has been supporting the educational pursuits of hundreds of young people at both secondary and tertiary levels, many of whom have gone on to make their mark in society.
One such recipient is Dr Danielle Twiddle, who received a scholarship while attending Immaculate High School. She said the scholarship was helpful.
“It didn’t only help me monetarily but allowed my parents to have less on their plate to be able to help me, but I also met a few friends at the scholarship ceremony who I’m still in touch with today,” she said.
She noted that aside from the scholarship, The Jamaica National Group also provided other opportunities such as summer employment where she worked in the marketing department, which she said provided learning opportunities.
“It’s an honor being a recipient because it was a great assistance to me, and I had a standard to uphold academically. I would say work hard, have fun during your journey and never forget that no man is an island,” she said, encouraging the new recipients.
This year’s awards function was held under the theme ‘Pursuing Excellence, Honouring Purpose’ and theguest speaker will be Tishauna Mullings, development practitioner, social entrepreneur and Chevening scholar.
Over the past 40 years, The Jamaica National Group has provided financial support for other educational initiatives, such as The Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee competition and invested millions in the educational transformation initiative, Centres of Excellence and iLead programmes- both targeted at improving leadership in rural-based underperforming schools.
Since 2001, the organisation has maintained a financial literacy programme, JN Bank Easi Save, at the basic, primary, and secondary levels, to foster sound money management practices among children.
