FIFTY-FIVE tertiary-level students last week found themselves the lucky beneficiaries of scholarships and bursaries, valued at close to $5 million, from Carreras Limited.

They included the company's three county scholars for 2012 — Noel Matherson, Peton Muschette and Carnel Campbell.

Matherson, a student of Northern Caribbean University (NCU), is pursuing a bachelor's degree in medical technology. Muschette, a student of the University of the West Indies (UWI), is reading for a degree in actuarial sciences while Campbell, a student of the University of Technology (UTech), is undertaking a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

"I am so overwhelmed. It was more than I expected," said Campbell, who received the award for Cornwall.

"I am really grateful to know that my hard work has paid off," noted Muschette, who won for the county of Middlesex.

"I am humbled at being awarded," added Matherson.

They and 52 others were awarded last Wednesday at Carreras Limited's 50th Anniversary Gala & Scholarship Awards Banquet, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.

"The company has a very strong focus on adult education. This year was special. It was Jamaica 50 and it was also our 50th year of operating as a corporate entity in Jamaica. We, therefore, determined that 50 was the number to head in terms of the awards," said Christopher Brown, corporate and regulatory affairs manager with the cigarette company. "The fact that we have ended at 55 is a clear testament to our solid commitment."

Annually, Carreras supports existing and aspiring members of the public sectors. This year was no exception.

Seven teachers — Teika Russell-Sam of Sam Sharpe Teachers' College; Nicole Atkin of Shortwood Teachers' College; Nicholas Robertson and Mickcole Powell, both of Churches Teachers' College; Stacey Samuels of Bethlehem Teachers' College; Sharon Newton of Mico Teachers' College; and Lisa Barker of Moneague Teachers' College — were awarded scholarships as practising educators.

Three Jamaica Constabulary Force members, who are all pursuing law degrees, were also awarded. They are Faith Solmon, Selvin Ross and Delroy Johnson. Solmon and Ross are pursuing their law degrees at the University of Technology while Johnson is at the Norman Manley Law School.

Four students pursuing Visual Arts and Drama degrees from Edna Manley were also awarded. They are O'Neil Banton, Chantelle Bayliss, Nadette Grant, and Mario Peterkin.

Six community college students across the island were awarded scholarships while 29 bursaries were awarded to students of UTech, UWI, Hydel University, Northern Caribbean University, and Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.

Meanwhile, scholarships awarded to Matherson, Campbell and Muschette were each valued at $200,000. All other scholarships were valued at $100, 000 each while the bursaries were valued at $50,000 each.