MARYLAND, Hanover – When grade 13 Mount Alvernia High School student Tiana Dinham begins her tertiary education at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill in August, she will be the first student from a Jamaican school to enter on a Robertson scholarship tenable at that US-based institution.

The Maryland, Hanover, native, also created history for being the first student attending a school in the island to have won the Johnson scholarship to study at the Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.

“It is quite a big deal abroad, in that I am international and was able to get the scholarships,” an elated Dinham told the Jamaica Observer West.

Apart from those two prestigious scholarships, Dinham, who had applied to several tertiary institutions overseas, was also successful in getting a full scholarship from Dermot College, also in the US, and another from the University of British Columbia in Canada.

But she decided to take up the Robertson scholarship, which will allow her to continue her education at the UNC, arguing that it would allow her to pursue her dream of studying health policy and management with a minor in exercise and sports science and later medicine.

“I decided to take the Robertson scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill because apart from paying for everything, they are also providing free summer experiences where they will fund internships in the United States or travel abroad. They will also fund two semesters abroad, so, if I want to study in another country, like during my time at the University of North Carolina, I can also do that as well,” she explained.

For the Robertson and Johnson scholarships, Dinham had to endure several rounds of interviews with panels, which included current scholars and benefactors of the scholarships.

“I think that they decided that I was one of the best persons to give them [scholarships] based on my background and everything. I got both of those scholarships, which were quite momentous, because no one has won both of them, much less a Jamaican to win two of them. It was really an unbelievable experience, which blew my mind because I am coming from a rural area,” stated Dinham, who noted that prayer and hard work had paid off for her.

On completion of her studies, the Mount Alvernia head girl hopes to return to Jamaica and make her contribution to nation-building.

“I have always had a pull towards community development and rural development, but after evaluating Jamaica to see what was lacking in our society, I realised that a lot of persons did not have access to state-of-the-art health care and could not afford it. So a lot of persons could not get the proper treatment they needed to save or prolong their lives for a longer period of time because they did not have the money,” stated Dinham.

“So something that had me really thinking for a while is that, if we can provide health care for everyone regardless of socio-economic class, regardless of race [and] regardless of where they are from, we can have a more successful society where we as human beings are not discriminated against. So, for me, I want everyone to have the same opportunity,” added Dinham, who is of the view that people should get free or more affordable health care.

Dinham’s acceptance to UNC was made possible with the assistance of College Quo, a consulting company primarily for international students who want to apply to universities abroad and gain scholarships. The company guides students through the entire application process for universities across the globe.

Dinham is also the first to become part of the company’s fellowship programme. The initiative offers its services free of cost to students from lower-income backgrounds.

“Right after meeting with Tiana, I said, ‘You know what, let me open up a fellowship to other students like Tiana who might not have heard about College Quo or might not have known that they can get college prep for free.’ So, in a sense, she was the inspiration for it,” stated Amanda Rickman, founder and chief college matchmaker at College Quo, who disclosed that the company currently has three other students working with under the programme.

“She has a personality that really spoke to me because of how determined and passionate she was about who she is and what she wants to do with her life. She was so compelling to me and Tiana has had amazing grades, she works so hard… her background growing up in a rural community in Jamaica and not having the type of access that others who grew up in a city or urban area would have. She did so much that I said on the spot, ‘You know what Tiana, I am going to help you free of cost,’ ” Rickman explained.

She told the Observer West that her company is proud to be a part of Dinham’s story.

“It is really awesome to know that Tiana is our first fellow and we are very proud to be a part of her story because she is going to go on to do amazing things. And she has this passion for her country and giving back, especially kids in rural communities,” said Rickman, adding that she is happy to know that she is a part of empowering someone to impact Jamaica.

Dinham’s father works in the construction industry, whilst her mother Andria Dehaney Grant is a renowned educator and politician.

“From an early age, she [Dehaney Grant] preached the importance of having a solid education and the importance of having an education to progress in society for social mobility and everything. But one thing that she did that I really do appreciate is that she never forced me to go to school in Jamaica or study abroad. She has always been such a strong supportive factor that anytime I need to talk with her, maybe about switching my interest or telling her about the schools I am applying to, she is always there to listen. The only thing she ensures is that I know the value of getting further higher education because most of the jobs in Jamaica and abroad you need a solid educational background to get those,” Dinham argued.

Dehaney Grant, who is the principal of the Maryland Primary and Infant School in Hanover and councillor (People’s National Party, Sandy Bay Division), told the Observer West that she is happy about her daughter’s achievements.

“I know her potential and I know that she was preparing to go off to college, but in the end, I am super excited. I am extremely happy as a mother to see her being accepted for those schools and scholarships.

“Our community is proud. Our family is proud, all of us are proud and I think that the sky is basically the limit for her,” said Dehaney Grant.