FOUR students from Greenwich All-Age, and St Andrew Primary schools are this year’s recipients of Petrojam’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) five-year scholarship programme, an initiative of the State oil refinery’s outreach committee.

The St Andrew Primary students are top girl Adrianna Whitingham, who will move on to Excelsior High school, and top boy Robert Reynolds who will advance to St Andrew Technical High. The students selected from Greenwich All-Age are top girl Tasheka Williams, and top boy Javonne Wong, who will move on to Meadowbrook High and Kingston Technical High schools, respectively.

The scholarship programme, which has so far benefited 49 students, was launched in 2006 to provide financial assistance to students who are transitioning from primary to secondary school.

“It is a vibrant programme that has impacted many of our awardees’ lives, among which are students who have experienced unfortunate situations in their young lives. Through this programme we have been able to touch all of these lives,” Petrojam General Manager Winston Watson said on Thursday at the awards ceremony held at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation on Marcus Garvey Drive in St Andrew.

He noted that many students have advanced to tertiary education and are making meaningful contributions to the country, adding that Petrojam is committed to continuing to provide students with the support they need to take advantage of opportunities.

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Daryl Vaz, in his remarks, lauded the initiative, stressing that no one with ability should be left behind because of their circumstances.

“It is our responsibility to make sure that in every capacity that we fill… that we do what we can do to help the less fortunate that have the potential to be successful, and help others in their families in future generations,” he stressed.

Vaz commended Petrojam for forging ahead with the programme, despite the economic challenges brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“The impact of initiatives of this nature should not be taken lightly. This is of extreme importance as we battle rising costs in all aspects of life,” he said, pointing also to the psychological and sociological impact on students.

“I’m quite sure that all the recipients today feel a sense of pride as a result of their achievements, [are] motivated, and see no hindrance in pursuing their dreams. In a society where we continue to see some of the youth turn to a life of crime in the pursuit of advancement, educational scholarships aid in reinforcing the concept that the pursuit of education is the key means to attaining true success,” the energy minister said.

The students will receive scholarships of $60,000 annually to cover tuition and other expenses, and laptop computers. They are required to maintain at least a B average, and good records of discipline, attendance and punctuality throughout their secondary school years.

Prizes were also awarded to outstanding student in mathematics, Takura Williams, and in science to Robert Reynolds, Darron Green and Nickell Kelly. Kelly was also recognised for outstanding performance in language arts.