Photo Caption: Rozan Ruddock, JN Foundation Scholar for Westmoreland, accepts her certificate and token from Parris Lyew Ayee, Chairman, JN Foundation, at the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship Awards reception held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel recently.

Rozan Ruddock, the JN Foundation Scholar for Westmoreland, established a heartwarming daily routine while in grade six at the New Horizon Preparatory.  Each day, she presented her teacher, Trisha Williams, with a note asking her wellbeing and wishing her a good day – a simple but meaningful gesture that brightened her teacher’s day and left a lasting impression.

“I miss her daily notes.  They were normally well-decorated. She would walk up to me and hand them to me. If I’m not there, she would put them on my table,” Mrs Williams recalled fondly, adding that Rozan is very quiet, reserved and doesn’t speak much.

“She is intrinsically motivated, success driven, always topping her class, very competitive, highly intelligent and her critical thinking skills are well-developed.  She has done extremely well, and we are proud of her,” Mrs Williams said.

The 13-year-old scholar scored 100 per cent in mathematics and science, her favourite subjects, and more than 90 per cent in the other subjects which earned her an overall score of 382 from a maximum of 400 points in the Primary Exit Profile thus securing a place at Mannings School, the school of her first choice.  In addition, she copped a five-year scholarship from the JN Foundation along with 36 other students, who were recognised as JN Scholars at the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship Awards Reception held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel recently. 

“I feel very proud of myself and motivated,” said Rozan, who pointed out that she has continued the family tradition attending Mannings School.  Her father, aunt and brother also attended the school.

While at New Horizon Preparatory, Rozan was very active. She was a prefect and a member of the debate club. A well-rounded student, she often represented her school in debating and track and field. Since enrolling at Mannings School, she has joined the track and field team.

She is committed to continuing her excellent academic performance in high school and gave the formula to current PEP students on how to do well.

“Work hard, keep being motivated and focus on your work,” she advised.

Rozan’s mother, Leonie Arnold-Ruddock, is deeply thankful for the scholarship, which provided welcomed support.

“The scholarship is very helpful. It has assisted in purchasing educational supplies for her, making it easier for me as a parent. Rozan wanted to get a scholarship, and she worked hard towards getting this scholarship.  She really put in the work. I knew deep down she would have achieved her goal. I’m grateful to JN for recognising her achievement,” she related.

Mrs Arnold-Ruddock, a schoolteacher, pointed out that from Grade one to six, Rozan has consistently been on the honour roll and was a top speller.

“She is outgoing and whatever she puts her mind to, she works toward achieving it.  She is jovial and self-motivated. She’s everything a parent could ask for in a daughter.”

Meanwhile, her father, Andy Ruddock, a firefighter, described Rozan as a perfectionist.

“If she is doing something, she’ll cry if she doesn’t get it perfect.  She is a nice child to be around. I feel proud because it [the scholarship] is motivation for her.  It is a stepping stone for greatness,” he maintains.

Rozan is the second of two children for her parents. Her brother is a firefighter like her father. She enjoys swimming and reading and plans to pursue a career in law. 

The JN Foundation scholarship is a highly sought-after award, attracting 475 applications through the Foundation’s website this year. To be eligible, applicants or their parents must have been members, customers, or clients of The Jamaica National Group for a minimum of one year.

In addition to the 14 scholarships presented to top PEP achievers in every parish, 14 others were recognised as parish scholars, three received the JN Bank Easi-Save County scholarships, and 20, children of JN Group employees, earned the Building Excellence and Achieving More Success (BEAMS) scholarship for achieving a placement score of 320 or higher. Additionally, JN Money Services awarded one-time grants to 10 students during the event.

Since its launch in 1983, the JN Scholarship Programme has provided financial support to hundreds of students, enabling them to pursue their secondary education.