It is not unusual to hear about scholarships being given to the top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) students at this time of the year.

However, it is not the norm for all the GSAT students at any one school to be awarded scholarships. That is the situation for children in two St Ann schools as all the students of the Eccleston Primary and Infant School, and the Clarksonville All-Age School who sat the GSAT in 2016 were awarded scholarships of varying amounts at an awards ceremony held at the Eccleston Primary and Infant School last Wednesday.

Retired United States judge and past student of both schools, Majorie Cotton donated over J$1 million to 17 students from Eccleston Primary and 19 from Clarksonville who will be heading to high school in September. Cotton, who now lives in Texas, increased her donation from $500,000 in 2015 to the present figure this year.

The money was divided equally between both schools.

Cotton and members of her family, who also contributed to the amount donated, travelled to Jamaica for the event, which has become an annual one.

The top GSAT student from both schools, Shanaula Goss and Nyema Gordon, with 98 per cent and 97 per cent averages respectively, were awarded $80,000 each.

Top boy Shamar Ingram received $60,000, while students with averages ranging from 80 to 89 per cent got $30,000 or more. Students who averaged under 80 per cent were presented with $20, 000 each. The top Grade Nine Achievement Test students were also given $30, 000 each.

Parents and educations lauded the retired jurist for her sterling contribution to her former schools and community, despite living overseas.

“I’m grateful. Sshe is the third one going to high school so it ease the stress off me,” said Javalin Reid, mother of top students from Clarksonville All Age, Shaunala Goss.

“We are grateful for what you have done for us,” stated Reid, who requested the opportunity to speak at the ceremony.

“It will help in many ways. I hope their food basket will never go empty,” Shantelle Bonner, another of the happy parents stated.

Elswitter Campbell, President of the Parent Teachers Association at Eccleston Primary, also expressed her happiness at the donation made to the students.

“It is very good; we appreciate it,” she said.

Teachers from both institutions were also ecstatic that the students were receiving much needed financial assistance with their back-to-school preparations.

“I am happy that she has not forgotten where she has started,” Keisha Wisdom, principal of the Eccleston Primary and Infant School said as she beamed with joy. Wisdom said she was overjoyed for the students.

“Words can’t express how grateful parents are,” she added.

“When I heard the amount Mrs Cotton was giving I was amazed,” Estorine Brown, senior teacher at Clarksonville All Age said, emphasising that the back-to-school pressure was lifted off many parents.

Shanaula Goss who will be attending York Castle High School expressed appreciation on behalf of the students.

“We are deeply moved by such a thoughtful gesture from you and your family,” she told Cotton.

Member of Parliament for South West St Ann Zavia Mayne also praised the efforts of the retired judge, attorney and mediator.

“It confirms that there are still those among us who believe in giving. It is widely appreciated by the community. Benevolence of this nature will go a far way,” he said.

He also pointed to the fact that Cotton doubled her contribution within a year.

Cotton, who was also guest speaker at the event, said the scholarhships were given in honour of her mother, Vivia Gertrude Hinds-Keene who died in London six years ago.

“I could not think of a better way to honour her life than to give to the young people of the community,” Cotton said.

Cotton was born in Aboukir, St Ann. She attended the Eccleston Primary while living in the nearby community of Fullerton. When she went to live with her grandparents, she was transferred to Clarksonville. With both schools impacting her early education, she has not forgotten them. Cotton left Jamaica at age 17, but has returned frequently, especially to give back to her community.

“We expect great things from you. You are Jamaicans afterall…Jamaican make their marks all over,” she told the students. She encouraged them to set and work towards their goals.

She also encouraged the students to be kind to each other and to be good neighbours.

“When you become rich and famous, please remember the people you left behind,” she said.

Cotton closed her presentation by stating that “you have two hands. One to help yourself, the second to help others.”

“I plan to do this for the rest of my life,” an elated Cotton told the Jamaica Observer following the short awards ceremony.

She said that she has even made preparations for the programme to continue when she dies.

“I have provided 10 per cent of my assets to continue after I’m dead,” she said.

She expressed joy in being able to give back to the schools which have played an important part in her life.

“I love Jamaica, I love my country, I love the Jamaican people. I have travelled all over and I have never met anyone who is brighter and more beautiful than us. We are a very kind and loving people,” she said.

“We are a very intelligent people and I want to nurture that intelligence,” she added.

“I feel like there was a reason I was born, to fulfill the purpose that God has for me, and that is to uplift the people of this area,” she went on.

There are now plants to extend the benevolence to the Inverness Primary School in the nearby Inverness community.