ON Thursday, October 14, 2010 TEENage decided to meet up with the Burger King staff and the awardees of the 2010 Burger King Scholarship and Book Grants. This event took place at North Odeon Avenue, Half-Way-Tree. Fourteen secondary school students, three university students and one sports education scholar celebrated scholarships and book grants awarded to them under the 2010 Burger King National Scholarship Awards Programme.

This programme was first launched in 2001.

It seeks to provide opportunities for public school students at the primary, junior high, all-age and university school levels. The master of ceremony, Nadine Campbell Pearson, assistant brand manager, started off with prayer. After this the welcome and acknowledgement was then given by Nadine Campbell Pearson. The congratulation speech was given by general managerValda Ormsby.

Tertiary scholarships were issued first. Chantal Stephens received the Lois Sherwood Scholarship. This was in honour of the chairman, Sherwood, who chose to make it available to her alma mater, St Andrew High School for girls. This scholarship is one reserved for young ladies of exemplary behaviour and character who attained academic excellence at St Andrew High School and gained a place at the university.

Another exemplary and outstanding student, who also gained a position at the University of the West Indies, was awarded the Rodwell Lake Scholarship. Past student from the prestigious St George’s College, Alex Moulton was given this scholarship on behalf of the St George’s College School alumnae. The late Rowell Lake recognises the invaluable impact St George’s made on the Lake family.

Receiving sports scholarship was Marvin Morgan, the Burger King Sports Scholarship valued at $240,000. This was presented by Richard Lake. Shari-Ann Henry past Convent of Mercy Academy ‘Alpha’ student received the special Burger King Scholarship valued $208,000 on the recommendation of the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI). This was presented to Shari-Ann Henry by Sharon Lake the WLI Mentor.

Secondary school scholarships valued at $400,000 per annum for five years, were awarded to GSAT place winners Brittanie Whyte and Matthew Faulker. Two children of the Burger King team, Jusanna Staple and Ryan Lee Foster, received the company’s annual “Staff Scholarship”. These awards were presented by Valda Ormsy.

Recipients of book grants were GSAT scholars Abigail Clarke, Sashara Eccleston, Ronice Reid, Bridgett Swaby, Amatullah Wright, Gallen Hare, Giovanni Harvey, Andre Don McGlashan, Rashaun Richards and Kevon Reynolds.

These awards were handed out by Valda Ormsby and Charlotte Lewis, acting chief education officer at the Ministry of Education.

At the end of the ceremony closing remarks were made by Faith McFarquhar-Gordon, Burger Kings’ human and resource director.

TEENage decided to ask a few of the awardees how they found out about this amazing offer from Burger King and also how they felt about it.

Chantol Stephens: I was told about it by a teacher at St Andrew High School. I have never won anything in my entire life and when I got the call that I got through I was overwhelmed and surprised. I am also very grateful.

Shari-Ann Henry: Well, I was told by my mentor to apply for this scholarship. When I was told I had received it I felt very accomplished. I also feel happy about the great work Burger King is doing for our society.

Sashara Eccleston: I come to Burger King every Friday after school. I saw the form and found interest in it. I then took it and filled it out. Right now I am feeling great.

Giovanni Harvey: My parents informed me about it. I feel great about this. I would like to encourage young people to work hard and keep focused.

Alex Moulton: I was told by my principal Margaret Campbell for the St George’s College. I am feeling grateful and happy to have been considered one of the university awardees. I would like to take the time out to tell other TEENs to be persistent with a fighting spirit. Unwillingness to be restricted by challenges pays off.