Guardian Life Limited disbursed more than $3.5 million in scholarships and grants at its recently held scholarship awards ceremony.

The insurance company hosted the scholarship and grant recipients at a function at its New Kingston head office, last Wednesday, where the students were presented with their awards, plus treated to words of inspiration from 2016 Rhodes Scholar Sherona Forrester, and entertainment by vocalist Mario Evon.

Ten students, who successfully completed the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), received scholarships valued at $250,000 each. Included in the 10 were the top boy, George Adams, and top girl, Timauri-Lee Carby, who both will be moving on to Campion College in St Andrew. Some 22 other GSAT students received grants in varying amounts.

Three tertiary scholarships were also awarded, with each scholarship valued at $300,000 each.

President of Guardian Life Eric Hosin, in his address, encouraged the parents to be a constant in their children’s lives, being there for them at every step of their journey, and ensure they stay on the right path.

He further advised parents not to become complacent when their children enter secondary school, as that is the time they will need them most.

“We want our children to remember the core values. We (parents) want them to be honest, but the thing is that we allow them to be dishonest at home. They take siblings’ things without asking, and we might shrug it off, but the reality is that we are allowing them to be of this frame of mind – that they can take things without asking,” he said.

The children were reminded to be grounded in the principles of honesty, kindness, integrity, and compassion, and not to stray from the teachings at home.

The Guardian Life scholarship programme is now in its 11th year.