NINETY-SIX high school students from Kingston and lower St Andrew have been presented with scholarships by the Area 4 Police Civic Committee Educational Trust Fund (ETF).

This year’s scholarships, presented at the Police Officers Club in St Andrew on October 4, are in addition to more than 700 scholarships presented by the ETF over the past seven years.

JN General Insurance Company, in conjunction with the JN Foundation, supported this year’s effort as part of its civic responsibility, said Kaysia Johnson Vaughn, JNGI manager, marketing and sales.

“The Educational Trust Fund is an invaluable tool for capacity building in our communities,” stated Wayne Wray, ETF executive member. He pointed out that “in the long run, the entire country will benefit from the success of our children”.

Addressing the scholarship recipients, Douglas Orane, chairman, GraceKennedy Group, said many lucrative niches now exist in the Jamaican economy where there are significant skills shortages.

“I have never encountered a competent plumber or electrician with business acumen, who was either unemployed or poverty- stricken,” he said.

“I encourage you to explore non-traditional career paths, and in particular to find innovative ways to create your own apprenticeship programmes.”

Rose Miller, grants manager, JN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the JN Group, pointed out that students should also take the time to learn basic financial survival skills in order to lead successful lives.

“How you save, invest and spend your income is just as important as how much income you earn,” she said.

The one-year scholarships provided by the ETF come from a pool of funds raised from private sector donations to provide scholarships to children in financial need who are 12-18 years old. Children are proposed for the scholarships by the police community relations officer within each of the Area 4 police sub-divisions, in collaboration with the principals, form teachers and guidance counsellors at their schools.

“We assure you that these scholarships will assist us in our quest to attain educational qualifications, and to become productive citizens,” stated Sasha Lee Harris, St Hugh’s High School student.

“We aim to make a brighter future for ourselves and for Jamaica.”