Challenging describes the secondary level experiences for Ronaldino Bennett and Mickhalia Thomas, as they worked eagerly to maintain good grades, participated in extra-curricular activities and travelled long distances for school.

But their efforts were not in vain. Both youngsters secured scholarships from the GraceKennedy Foundation to ease the financial strains of their tertiary journey and were recognised during the company’s annual scholars’ awards ceremony last Thursday.

Bennett, who is the recipient of the Bruce Rickards Scholarship for 2022, could not contain his joy, as he emphasised that studying medicine is expensive.

“When I got the call, I was absolutely speechless. I actually struggled to speak for a moment and I was absolutely exuberant, to have been selected for this. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders because school fee for pursuing medicine is not cheap,” said Bennett who attends The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

“I honestly feel amazing, I was here at the ceremony and I am seeing all these amazing people. Their achievements are absolutely stellar and it’s an honour to be included with this cohort,” he said, as he declared that he hopes to earn a high grade point average at the end of his first year.

Travelling from Clarendon to Kingston College each day was not easy for Bennett. He said he had to learn how to manage his time well.

“It was very challenging, I can’t stress it enough because the journey is so long, you have to actually take that time to study and when you go home, you are really so tired but then you might have homework to do and if you have extra-curricular engagements, you’re going to have to travel late at nights, which is unsafe as well, so it was quite an experience,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thomas, who is the recipient of the Jamaica scholarship, endured a similar experience, as she had to travel from Linstead, St Catherine, to Campion College.

“I had to do that for six straight years until COVID-19 came and gave me a little break. It was very challenging, however, I believe that it helped to mould me into who I am today,” she said.

“It was difficult sometimes doing homework on the bus, having to sleep on my way to school because I would wake up at 4:00 am, and sometimes when I did extra-curricular activities, it would be a hassle going to Half-Way-Tree then Spanish Town taking public transportation,” she said.

Thomas, who is a second-year student at The UWI, Mona pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Science, said she is grateful for the scholarship.

“I am grateful that I have been awarded this scholarship because I really worked hard because I knew that my parents would not be able to cover the cost of university. So I am very grateful for the GraceKennedy Foundation for helping me,” said Thomas.

Bennett and Thomas are determined to stay motivated to complete their tertiary education.

“Some things are just not going to work out, sometimes you want something really badly and put in a lot of work for it and you feel you are going to get it but it doesn’t happen and you really have to get back up. You really have to recognise that failure as a part of the process. You have to get up and motivate yourself and try again,” said Bennett.

Thomas added, “Trust God because almost every year, I start worrying and would say, ‘Lord, I wonder how I going to find the money to do this’, but each time God comes through, I have to give him thanks when I see no way.”

Bennett and Thomas were among 89 university students who were awarded scholarships valued at more than $24 million by the GraceKennedy Foundation for the 2022/23 academic year.

In her welcoming remarks, Gail Moss-Solomon, general counsel and chief corporate secretary of GraceKennedy Limited, welcomed the scholarship recipients to the GraceKennedy family and underscored its long-standing commitment to education, and the importance of a quality education.

She charged the scholarship recipients to become great citizens of the world and contribute to nation-building.

“You are on the right path. I encourage you all to maintain the habits that have brought you here today. Always do your best, in everything,” said Moss-Solomon.

Since its inception in 1982, GKF has invested approximately $400 million in scholarships to hundreds of Jamaican university students.