THE SAGICOR Foundation yesterday awarded 68 scholarships to exceptional Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) (37) and tertiary (31) awardees at its annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

Top students from across the island were selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants and honoured at the event at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston.

The 37 GSAT scholarships were awarded to children of various Sagicor stakeholders who excelled in the annual secondary school placement examination. The scholars include children of clients, team members and members of the Jamaica Defence Force. Scholarships were awarded to the 2017 Champion boy and girl from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association/Sagicor National Athletics Championship.

Sagicor said a scholarship fund for children of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) service members was a first this year and saw 14 children soldiers benefiting from educational grants valued at $40,000 each for one academic year. The remaining 23 GSAT awardees’ scholarships are valued at $50,000 each for five years, renewed annually. GSAT scholars were selected based on their strong academic performance.

For the tertiary scholarships, 31 scholars were selected based on academic performance, as well as community involvement, volunteerism, strong leadership potential and financial need. The tertiary scholars will be attending some of Jamaica’s top institutions — the University of the West Indies; University of Technology Jamaica; Mico University College, the Caribbean Maritime Institute, Northern Caribbean University; University of the Commonwealth Caribbean; and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Tertiary scholarships are valued up to $250,000 annually and are renewed for each academic year.

In his address to the awardees, chairman of Sagicor Foundation Dr R Danny Williams lauded the scholarship recipients and encouraged them to keep up the good work. He also challenged them to use their platforms to contribute positively to Jamaica’s development.

“As part of the Sagicor Fraternity of Scholars, I want to challenge you as scholarship recipients to be bold in your endeavours, challenge the status quo, be ambassadors for change and make a positive impact at your schools, in your communities and to the wider society,” said Williams.

Christopher Zacca, president and CEO, Sagicor Group Jamaica, in his remarks reaffirmed Sagicor Foundation’s focus on education, and its commitment to assisting students in fulfilling their educational pursuits at all stages of their educational development. “Awardees, you represent the future of our nation, the next generation of leaders and decision makers and we are relying on you to contribute to the development and growth of our country as we aim to make Jamaica a developed nation. We are truly encouraged not only by your outstanding academic achievements but your indomitable spirit, tenacity, drive and passion,” said Zacca.